For the little Town of Webb (even though this is the largest geographically sized town in the state), there have been several hundred building permits issued this year.
Nearly twenty-five for new homes, many major remodels and a host of other smaller buildings like garages, pole barns, additions, dock, decks and some commercial projects.
Just like clockwork, the rush of permits started when the weather broke in the spring.
Again, just like clockwork, the next rush will begin in several weeks.
Once the normal summer vacation ends contractors will be under pressure by their clients to get that project started, foundation in, framing up and roof on before winter sets back in.
If you are planning that project, are you prepared to receive your building permit?
In an effort to make your life a little easier, help the code office by being prepared.
Filling out the permit is simple. However, having the documents ready for review and approval is the key to a quick turn-around from application to permit.
Engineered construction plans, NYS Energy Code compliance documents, roof rafter or truss specifications for snow loads, surveys of the property with proposed locations, showing the Base Flood Elevation on the survey for all shoreline properties…
Also, septic system design after proper site and soil studies, receiving that non-jurisdictional letter from the Adirondack Park Agency…
These are the things that take time to get done.
If your project does not rise to the level of engineered or architectural drawings, that’s fine, drawings of reasonable quality are still required.
Being able to show compliance to the state building codes is always required. The more complex the construction, the greater need for engineered plans.
It is highly recommended that your design professional call the code office to go over the basic design criteria. Things like snow loads requirements, wind load, energy code and fire safety design.
Although some of this is the same all over the state, different areas have different criteria, especially for snow and energy design.
Regarding the Park Agency, they have been really good in the turnaround time needed for a jurisdictional determination.
Again, preparedness is the key to enable the Agency to make a determination.
The JIF (jurisdictional inquiry form) must be sent for their review. Answer all the questions.
Although the form is several pages long many of the questions probably will not apply to your project.
If you don’t have the answers to all the questions put “unknown” for the answer. Don’t leave any questioned simply unanswered.
They will need your deed, a survey or to-scale plot plan, and a clear and accurate description of the project.
Make it easy to understand, provide all the information and documents and you can expect a quick reply.
Fortified with the APA jurisdictional letter (hopefully non-jurisdictional), and all the construction plans, surveys and other documents, you can normally expect your permit in a few days once the application has been submitted.
On rare occasions foundation only permits are issued in an effort to help the applicants get things started.
There are two to three months of start time before the weather can change making it almost impossible to start a project… and don’t forget hunting season!!!
All too often an application is received with all the required information and everything seems okay… except there was not a real survey.
Maybe a hand drawn plot plan showing the project site, based on what the owner thinks are his property lines. And things are really close to the required setback distances.
If the property is large and setbacks are clearly just not an issue, we can work with that.
But if there is any question, get that survey done.
Too many times mistakes are made because of inaccurate information. These kind of mistakes can cause huge delays.
A new, up-to-date survey prepared by a licensed land surveyor is a very vital and important part of this office’s review.
If the proposed project needs any kind of board review like a variance form the Zoning Board of Appeals or a conditional use permit from the Planning Board, a survey will be required.
The survey should be one of the first things done in the planning process.
Any board review can take a month or more. So it’s best to know sooner than later that a survey is needed long before the project is expected to start.
Plan ahead… plan ahead… plan ahead.