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Community Development

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1. How do I permit an addition to an existing house?

An addition to an existing house (like an additional bedroom) would require the following:

• Submittal Checklist
• Site Plan Checklist
• Permit Application
• Supplemental Application
• If adding square footage: Stormwater Calculation Worksheet
  • Stormwater Options and Guidance
  • Stormwater Flowchart
• If the new space will be heated, you will also need the Energy code
  • Energy Credits, Residential

If you follow the checklist you should have everything that you will need. If you have potable water on the property already, you will not have to prove potable water again, however if there is a septic on the property and you are adding another bedroom, a septic review is required. We call septic reviews "O&M"s (Operations and Maintenance inspections); depending on the type of system you have you either do this inspection once a year or once every three years.

For your floor plan we would like to have a before-and-after. Your building plans should only show the new work that is being done.

Lastly, if your property is located within shoreline or critical areas we recommend that you meet with one of our land use planners first to verify that you will not need some type of land use permit. They have walk in times Monday-Tuesday 9:00-12:00 and Wednesday – Thursday 1:30-4:30.

2. Do I need a permit for a small picnic pavilion on my property?

Do I need a permit for a small picnic pavilion on my property? I plan to have no water and no power going to it; just a roof for a picnic table.

Yes you would need a permit. Your project will be considered a "Pole Building." Here are the forms you will need to submit:

If this project will be in the City of Port Townsend then you will need to contact them at 360-379-5095. If your project will be within the county you will need the following:

• Submittal Checklist
• Site Plan Checklist
• Permit Application
• Supplemental Application
• Stormwater Calculation Worksheet
  • Stormwater Options and Guidance
  • Stormwater Flowchart

If there is a septic on the property you will need to get a septic review from Environmental Health. We call septic reviews "O&M"s (Operations and Maintenance inspections); depending on the type of system you have you either do this inspection once a year or once every three years. If there is not a septic on the property then you will not need that review.

 

 

3. Who do I talk to about preliminary questions about building a home in Jefferson County?

Who do I talk to about preliminary questions as I begin to research the planning of a home to be built in Jefferson County?

DCD offers a suite of options to answer questions and help plan development:

1. Staff-Consultation Meeting by Appointment. Book an appointment with staff to discuss more in-depth questions and projects. Examples include how critical area and shoreline regulations affect projects. Fees start at $50 for a 15-30 minute appointment. Twenty-four hour minimum advance booking is required.*
2. Planning/Permit Path Study. Many customers under contract for property purchase ask DCD questions to determine feasibility for projects before settlement. This service provides customers with a written product summarizing permit path and feasibility. DCD provides a product within 14 calendar days. A $200 fee is required for two hours DCD review and product preparation.* Please note that certain projects may require a pre-application conference. DCD suggests customers who need water or septic feasibility information provide a conceptual site plan to obtain Jefferson County Environmental and Public Health comments (an additional hourly fee applies for this service).
   
   *Customer Service fees up to $94 may be credited to a project application if the customer applies within one year from the date of the meeting or customer service provided.
3. Staff Consultation Walk-in Hours 
   Monday through Thursday 10:30am-noon.
   This is a free service DCD offers for basic questions such as "What is my zoning?" or "What forms do I need to apply for a building permit?" In depth questions will require an appointment in advance and a fee. See #2 for details. Customers seeking water or on-site septic system information should meet with Jefferson County Environmental Public Health prior to DCD (hours are Mon-Friday 9:00am-10:30am, located adjacent to DCD).

 

4. I want to build a stand-alone building to house my tractor. Do I need a permit?

Do I need a permit for a building a want to put on my property for my tractor?  It will have no door, no windows, no heat, no water and no power going to it.

Yes you would need a permit. Here are the forms you will need to submit:

If this project will be in the City of Port Townsend then you will need to contact them at 360-379-5095. If your project will be within the county you will need the following:

• Submittal Checklist
• Site Plan Checklist
• Permit Application
• Supplemental Application
• Stormwater Calculation Worksheet
  • Stormwater Options and Guidance
  • Stormwater Flowchart

If there is a septic on the property you will need to get a septic review from Environmental Health. We call septic reviews "O&M"s (Operations and Maintenance inspections); depending on the type of system you have you either do this inspection once a year or once every three years. If there is not a septic on the property then you will not need that review.

Additionally, if you don't have an address on the site, you will need to apply for one.

5. I'm wondering how I would go about finding information about the zoning and development potential of a property in Jefferson County.

Our customer assistance meetings with our planning staff can help you answer those questions. You can fill out the CAM Form and send it back by mail or e-mail to have a planner research it for you. They will contact you by phone or e-mail to discuss your questions. If you choose to mail or e-mail it in they have up to ten business days to respond to your question.

If you would like help sooner, please stop in during our walk in hours, M & T from 9:00 – 12:00 and W & Th from 1:30 – 4:30. You can bring your filled out CAM Form with you or fill one out when you arrive.

Our planners will spend 15 minutes researching your questions, after that they will give you the results and if you would like them to spend more time researching your questions they can do that for $100.00 an hour.

6. Does Jefferson County requires a pre-pour inspection?

Yes, we require setbacks and any foundation rebar to be inspected prior to pouring concrete. Also, you must wait until the permit has been approved and issued before beginning any work.

7. What do I need to do for a re-roof permit?

As long as there is no change to the type or pitch of the roof and the trusses are not being touched, re-roof permits are over-the-counter. Otherwise, you will want to speak with our Permit Tech about your project.

For over-the-counter permits, bring your Re-Roof Permit and be prepared to pay the re-roof permit fee of $229.43.

8. Where can I find a copy of the county code?

You can find our code in several places on our website:

1. Our code can be accessed at this link: http://www.codepublishing.com/WA/JeffersonCounty/?JeffersonCounty18/JeffersonCounty18.html
2. You can also click on the "Unified Development Code (UDC) link (in the green area to the left) on our home page.
3. Lastly, you can learn more about our UDC and its relation to Critical Areas, the Shoreline Management Act, Land Use Permits and UDC Amendments by clicking here: https://wa-jeffersoncounty.civicplus.com/573/Unified-Development-Code-UDC

9. I am planning to install a fireplace insert. What forms do I need?

Fireplace insert permits fall under the category of Mechanical Permits. Fireplace insert permits are issued over-the-counter. You only need to submit one form, the Mechanical Permit Application and a site map. 

If you are installing new lines you will need to include the fee for adding the lines. More clearly stated:

• If you are applying for a permit to just install a fireplace insert, no new propane lines, the fees are:
  • Mechanical Fee
  • Project Scanning Fee
• If you are applying for a permit to install a fireplace insert with new propane lines, the fees are:
  • Mechanical Fee
  • Propane - Lines, tank and appliance Fee
  • Project Scanning Fee

These fees are listed on the second page of the permit application.

When you come in to submit the permit, bring with you a completed Mechanical Permit Application and site map and be prepared to pay the fees appropriate to your situation.

10. Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom?

You only need to submit a Building Permit Application if you are moving walls, changing or tapping into existing plumbing or need the modification to be noted for banking (selling, purchasing, etc.) or other legal purposes. For example, if you would like to apply for a building permit for converting a non-handicapped bathroom to a handicapped-accessible bathroom, you will need the submit a Building Permit, Supplemental Building Permit and floor plan. The fees are listed on the 2nd page of the Supplemental Building Permit and you will be charged a building base, scanning fee, state fee and technology fee.

11. Is it the property owner or the contractor's responsibility to submit permits?

The homeowner is responsible to submit all permits, but contractors often include it as a convenience for their clients. Check with your contractor to see if they plan to submit for you or not.

12. Does my ductless heat pump need to be installed above the flood plain?

Yes, electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air-conditioning equipment and other service facilities need to be installed above the flood plain. Pursuant to UDC 15.15.080 Provisions for flood hazard reduction section (1)(b)(iii), "electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air-conditioning equipment and other service facilities shall be designed and/or otherwise elevated or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding. Locating such equipment below the base flood elevation may cause annual flood insurance premiums to be increased."

13. What is the minimum height for a deck before it requires a rail?

The minimum height for a deck before it requires a rail is 30 inches.

14. Who do I call about installing road name signs?

For installing road name signs, call Public Works' shop at (360) 385-0890. For all other sign questions please complete a CAM request form and send to DCD.

15. How do I name a road?

If you have property off of a named road, you may optionally name it at any time. You MUST name your road if your road extends more than 1,000 feet from a named road and/or if the road has four or more assigned emergency locator numbers on it.

Forms

The forms below will assist you in the road naming process:

• Road Naming Petition
• Road Naming Brochure
• Road Naming FAQs

Please contact the Department of Community Development for a list of current road names in use.

Cost

The cost to the petitioner to name a road is $391. If there are emergency locator number already assigned to adjoining parcel owners that will be serviced by the road, there will be no additional cost to have their address changed to the new road name. If there are adjoining parcel owners that are not currently assigned an emergency locator number and they would like one, the cost is $100 for each emergency locator number assigned (new addresses are typically $276).

Overview of Process

• Submit the Road Naming Petition with 3 potential names, in order of preference.
  • It is highly advisable that the petitioner contact neighbors first to discuss possible road names (It's always nicer to hear from your neighbor before hearing from the county, road naming is difficult enough)
  • Get as many neighbors as possible to sign off on road names proposed.
  • Make sure that the three name choices include a road type such as Road, Drive, Street, Way, Place, etc. An application containing less than three choices will be returned as invalid. Alteration of any signature without the initialed (or written) consent of each petitioner will invalidate the petition and it will not be processed. Verbal consent to any alteration will not be accepted.
  • Make sure to include a map with the road highlighted
• Adjoining parcel owners (APOs) are notified of road naming process
  • APOs are given 21 days to respond with desired name changes
• Road names are submitted to local fire department and JEFFCOMM (the County’s emergency dispatch department) for approval
• The top ranked approved road name will be assigned to the road
• Department of Community Development staff will come out to the site and physically measure the road and assign the addresses

 

16. What do I need to do to be able to do to demolish a building?

If you would like to demolish a building, you will need to submit a Demolition Form to both Community Development and Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency (ORCAA).

If you choose to demo, please complete the following steps:

1. Go to the ORCAA website (https://www.orcaa.org/asbestos-demolition-programs/demolition-notification/) and fill out their Demolition Notification Application and pay any applicable fees;
2. Fill out our demolition form located here: http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/documentcenter/view/530 and submit it (by email, mail or drop-off) with proof of the ORCAA notification, a copy of the receipt, and a Site Plan;
   1. We always recommend meeting with a Land Use Planner to discuss your property before making any significant changes on your property.
3. Once we receive your packet we will issue you an invoice which you will be able to pay online or over the phone.

17. What do I need to submit if I only want to build a garage?

The documents required to build a garage are the same as a regular building permit, but we only need the items that apply to your project. Here are the exact forms and documents required for a complete submittal of a Garage Permit Application:

Forms and documents required for a complete submittal of a Garage Permit Application:

• Permit Application
• Supplemental Building Application
• Stormwater Calculation Worksheet
• Site Plan (no larger than 11” x 17”, see checklist)
• Floor Plan (no larger than 11” x 17”)
• Building Plans (any size)
• Energy Code Calculation Worksheet – (If Garage has heated space)
• New Address Application (if an address is not already assigned)
• Road approach permit with Public Works (If driveway is off of County road and does not already exist)

If you are going to put plumbing in the garage then you will need to comply with Environmental Health’s requirements with septic/sewage.

Once you are ready to submit give us a call to schedule an appointment with our Permit Technician.

For an estimate of permit fees send an email to sellis@co.jefferson.wa.us stating the square footage, estimated cost of the project, and the project description.