Get your Permit !

Permit Checklist

Permit requirements vary widely in different locations.  Develop a list for your project – start by checking in with your local building department. 

Remember the Building Department may only tell you part of the story.  Research the following items and try to start putting a schedule together.  My Builder 20 group often discusses permit issues.  Jim in Wisconsin tells me he can get a permit in 5 days, while others of us suffer with months even years in the permitting process.  In my local area building departments in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Malibu, Ojai, Ventura County, City of Ventura, Santa Barbara and County of Santa Barbara all treat building codes and zoning regulations in different ways.

Access

Air Rights

Archaeologists

Bridges

CC&R’s (Private Restrictions)

Cell Phone Access

City Planning

City Zoning

Civil Engineers

Coastal Commissions

Drainage

Easements – Utility or Private

Earthquake Zones

Electric

Environmental Health Department

Fire Department

Flood Zones

Flowers (Protected by State)

Gas

Geology and Soils

Grading Department

Historical Commissions

Internet Access

Landscape Architects

Native American burial sites

Neighborhood Architectural Committees

New Regulations in the works!

Neighbors

NYMBYists

Planning Department

Public Hearings

Public Works Dept.

Scenic Corridors

Sewer/Septic

Storm water

Surveys

Tax Liens

Telephone

Tornado Areas

Tree Protection

View Corridors

Water

Water Perc (percolation) Tests

Waterways

Wells – quality, quantity

Zoning Clearance

Other Items?

Live in Hawaii ? Check for lava flow areas !!!