Permits Timeline

What we went through to get permits from a city with a reputation for being helpful and efficient.

All told, the process took over 5 months.

Feb 6 2008: First step: Architect showed plans to city Planning dept, confirmed that we are passing regulations. No formal design review needed, we're told -- only a short review over-the-counter when we submit plans for building permit.

Apr 7 2008: Try to submit for permits. Sorry, previous planner was wrong, can't do this over-the-counter after all. Now we do need a formal design review, despite Feb 6 conversation. Earliest we can submit is May 12.

Apr 8 2008: Submitted plans for design review. Estimate for review is two weeks.

Apr 24 2008: Planning reviewed the design, recommending approval. However, require neighbor notification process to give neighbors a chance to comment. City sends notice to neighbors and posts notice in front of our house, neighbors have until May 7 to review plans.

Apr 25 2008: Dave visited city building dept, spoke with Building and Engineering to ask how this unexpected 5-week delay (design review, neighbor notification process) can be used. Suggests pre-reviewing plans to maximize chances of over-the-counter approval on permit submittal day. If plans are good, and we happen to submit to the same people who pre-reviewed, chances are good we can get an over-the-counter building permit.

Apr 28 2008: Architect met with city structural engineer, went through the plans and structural calculations, minor changes for our structural engineer. City engineer says plans are clean and well prepared, sees no trouble getting plans approved for construction. But, must be submitted for a standard review, no over-the-counter permit.

May 9 2008: Submit plans, 3 days early. Comments or permits due Fri May 30. $2508 paid.

May 20 2008: Temporary power pole permit obtained.

May 28 2008: Dave talks to building coordinator -- any news about our plans? Planning and Fire okayed, but Building has redlines which will require a resubmittal. Neither Structural nor Water Pollution have even looked at the plans yet. So, no permits for us on the 30th, just comments.

May 29 2008: Architect talked to building coordinator, who gave a preliminary list of comments from Building only. These include items that could easily have been flagged earlier, such as deck design. Structural, Water Protection, and Public Works haven’t even looked at the plans yet. Previous conversation with engineer at the city not binding; as he was a consultant and not THE city engineer who decides if Structural will sign off. Comments due 5/30, no commitments on time of day besides COB.
May 30 2008: Dave and architect meet at the city at 4:15 to pick up comments, which are ready. Building wants detailed deck design, electrical plan for master bedroom, detailed plans for radiant heat extension, plans for new electrical panel location and installation, details on upstairs forced-air vent relocation.

May 31 2008: Further examination of the Comments from the city reveals a page about Encroachment permits for all offsite improvements. This includes an applicable developmental impact fee (tbd), an encroachment permit fee of $250, and "The new accessory building would add the following fees: $1,157.13 for the SS" but the grayed-out text is crossed out! And we don't have any offsite improvements. You can believe we'll be talking to Public Works next week.

June 4 2008: Architect re-submitted to the city (who tried to send her away when she arrived at 4:30pm). Comments or permits due June 18.

June 12 2008: Dave and I meet with assistant director of Public Works to discuss developmental impact fee. It's a one-time charge for when a house goes from low to standard occupancy (2BR to 3+BR), and is calculated as a delta of sewer connection fees.

June 13 2008:Send email requesting waiver of $1157.13 impact fee, as we're not adding bedrooms or connecting to the sewer. We get a call from the ass't director of P.W.: request granted!

June 19 2008: Permits granted! Paid and picked up, ready to go. Finally!