Helpful tips -

1. No site work only grading permits are issued on vacant lots.  This includes driveway installations, preparations for building sites, septic and leach field installations, and drainage work.
2. Preliminary Review qualifies for a FASTTRACK Grading Permit in which a prioritized due date is placed on these reviews by Engineering for a faster grading permit when submitting for a building permit.
3. Review and comply with all the conditions required on your grading permit; contact our offices for clarification. 
4. Engineering Department final approval is required on every grading permit issued for the Certificate of Occupancy, unless otherwise stated. 
5. Plan appropriately to finish all exterior work prior to the onset of winter conditions.  Don't get caught having to bond in the winter months for exterior grading, driveway, retaining walls, and revegetation that is already completed.  Call ahead.

Significant Code Amendments from May 22, 2007 affect these common challenges on a project, but are not limited to, the following:

• Height - building permit submittal requirements

• Exterior materials - show the materials on the architectural plans - must be natural or naturally appearing
• Exterior lighting - submit a cut-sheet along with your application of any proposed exterior lighting fixture which must be dark skies compliant, full cut-off luminaries to obtain Planning approval on your building permit
• Garage size - may be up to 1500 s.f. for a home up to 3,000 s.f.
• Retaining wall design - engineered walls must be 8 feet stepped systems whenever practicable.  Contact us for sites that cannot meet this requirement and explain your justification.

 

Please contact Planning directly on questions regarding these code amendments at 970.668.4200 or look at the Code online.