Every year, at least in years past, this time of the year most everyone around the Western Adirondacks are just returning from their typical two week vacation and school breaks.

This year was different.

Not only was the school break two weeks earlier than normal, the weather has been oddly mild as well.

Normally when returning from an exhausting drive to some southern state where temperatures never go below 70 degrees, the office is buried in new permit applications.

Everyone is in a big hurry to get started on a project they have been thinking about all winter.

The phones are usually ringing constantly.

Occasionally we would get the complaint that all the lines are busy even with two incoming lines!

This year has been pleasantly busy. There has been more activity sooner, even in mid-March when things would have been traditionally still quiet.

And now, nearing the end of April, it still is pleasantly busy and not off the wall with dozens of applications all coming in at the same time.

Even people seem happier, calmer and more accepting of the process.

As much as it would be nice to claim that some of the “Talking Code” articles about planning ahead is the cause for the lack of hectic confusion at this time of year, it’s doubtful…It’s the weather.

People started thinking spring and summer and it was still winter, at least on the calendar.

As a reminder of some things that help the Code Office review your building permit application in a timely manner, here are some friendly tips:

• Do you have a reasonably current survey of the property?

• Does the survey show where all structures are?

• Are the dimensions clearly shown?

• Are distances from structures to property lines shown?

• Is the shoreline plotted on the survey?

• Are breakwalls and retaining walls on the survey?

• Is the survey signed and certified by the surveyor?

• Is the survey map original, or has it been copied and duplicated and now not to scale?

• Do you have construction plans for the new work?

• Does you designer know the design criteria such as snow load and wind load for this area?

• Is the ResCheck included in the plans?

• Do you know that your “camp” is a single family dwelling, seasonal or not?

• Do you know that the NYS Residential Code applies just like any other single family dwelling?

• Is the septic system plotted on the survey?

• Do you know where the septic system is?

• Do you know what you have for a septic system?

• Do you have a septic system?!

• Do you know where the neighbor’s septic or well is?

• When was the current structure built?

• When was it renovated?

• Did you know that you may have a bunkhouse, if you already have a house?

• Do you know that bunkhouses cannot be rented by themselves?

• Did you know that if you heat your storage shed it must meet the NYS Energy Conserva-tion Code?

Building permits are required for any new structure, and most, not all, remodeling projects.

Call this office and set up an appointment to come in and discuss your plans any time.