WELCOMEGetting Smart About Home

Modifications

A Webinar Series Sponsored by theWisconsin Department of Health Services

Webinar #5

Permits, Zoning and Codes!

WITH

Matt Tucker, Mike VanErem & Dave Porterfield

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2. Type in where you are listening from and how many people are listening from the same computer.

3. Questions can be asked in the same way and you may ask questions as you think of them, at any time during the presentation. We’ll generally answer questions at the end of the presentation unless there is something specific we need to clarify.

GOALS

Establish a basic understanding of:

The Purpose of Zoning

Obtaining a Permit; when you need it How to obtain it

PresentersMatt Tucker

Zoning Administrator

Mike Van EremPlan Review Specialist

Moderator: Dave PorterfieldProperty Developer, Movin’ Out, Inc.

Zoning: definition

The division of lands by legislative

regulations, into areas or zones,

which specify allowable land uses

and size restrictions.

Zoning: Why do we have it?

Zoning is a tool used by a town, village,

city or county to help manage how

the land within its borders is used.

Zoning: How does it work

Areas of land are designated as districts or zones.

Each type of district or zone allows for a

different type of land use and has

specific area requirements.

Zoning: Why is it done?

Zoning is the rule of government to regulate the use

and development of lands in order to promote the

health, safety and general welfare of the public.

It is enacted to

help guide and control development,

to implement long-range planning goals and

objectives

to address specific development issues that are

important to the community.

Zoning: Is it required?

Not all units of local government use

zoning, but they have the legal

authority to do so if they wish.

Zoning: How is it administered?

Each municipality administers and enforces their own local zoning rules

Federal and State government mandate certain uniform regulations:

Shore land Floodplain Wetlands Airport height and use restrictions

Zoning: Accessibility Modifications

What you need to know, in general, when planning a home modification project Setback requirements Height restrictions Required yards Historic properties or districts Design requirements Maintenance regulations Private deed restrictions

Zoning: Accessibility Modifications

What you need to know, specifically, when planning a home modification project Property line locations Building locations Site-related features that may be regulated

by local zoning code such as Driveway, fence or tree/vegetation locations Special conditions of approval for design or

placement, such as urban design or historic district rules

Zoning: Who Do You Work With?

Local government offices City Village Township County

Websites – Google or Bing to learn more

Many agencies have developed sites that contain most or all of their zoning requirements

Zoning: What is a Typical Process?

Timelines and process vary by community and

by the complexity of the project

Get to know your zoning official(s) prior to

doing a project to learn about the local process.

Control YOUR part of the process by being

prepared with plans and information that will

be helpful to staff who review and approve

projects.

Building Codes and Permits

In order to carry out a building project, a local building permit is required to assure that what you plan to build will be in compliance with building codes.

Building Code: Defined

The building code is a “minimum

standard” that insures that all

projects are safe.

Wisconsin Building Codes

Wisconsin uses what is called the

Uniform Dwelling Code for all 1 and 2

family homes.

Individual communities can be MORE

restrictive, if they choose.

Building Code Enforcement

Larger municipalities have building inspectors. The local building inspector issues

building permits and makes inspections

Some municipalities hire private firms to do their inspections

If a municipality chooses not to enforce the code, the State will do it.

more

Building Code Enforcement

The Uniform Dwelling Code is required to be enforced for all 1 and 2 family homes in the State of Wisconsin built after 1980.

Any enforcement of code for homes built prior to 1980 is up to each municipality.

Building Codes and Permits: Home Modifications

There is no uniform process and no uniform fee applied to acquiring and paying for building permits.

Every municipality can, and usually does, do things differently!

Building Permit: “Typical” Process*

Plan your project Draw up plans – draw to scale; show door sizes,

dimensions and all structural information. For a ramp, you typically need a floor plan, cross-section, elevation and site plan.

Meet with staff – plans may be reviewed on the spot and a permit issued

Permit staff will then run through inspections for the project

*Remember there is no uniform process so the municipality where you are working could be quite different. Meet your building/permit staff before starting a project so you know what will be required.

Finding Who to Work With Each municipality should have some sort of

“building department.” Ask the city, village, township or county administrative office.

If you can’t figure out who/what the building dept. is in the municipality where you want to do a project, contact the

State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Safety and Buildings Division at

608 266 3151

Things to Remember Always call before starting a project on a home; most

of the time a permit IS required Plans/drawings are required to get a permit. Working without a permit can result in fines and/or

reconstruction of the project. Ramps require frost footings 48 inches below ground

(this is often missed!) Accessibility codes for 1 and 2 family homes are very

minimal. Do not rely on building codes or permits to assume your project will work for the person using it. Example: required ramp slope is no more than 1:8.

However, this is unlikely to work for most people!

Questions?

There is a short lag between the time you type a question and the time we receive the question, so to remind you where to find the information from this presentation in the future…

Getting Smart About Home Modifications

Re-runs

Power point presentations are located at www.movin-out.org Click on ‘learn more’ in the first paragraph of the home page which will lead you to the power point presentations.

The webinar itself can be replayed by going to the DHS webcast catalogue at http://media1.wi.gov/dhfs/catalog/ Once there you can search for the presentation you want by name, date, presenter or subject, (e.g. Home Modifications).

CONTINUINGWEBINAR SCHEDULE

The final session is next weekTuesday 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

November 17: Building a Ramp

Webinar Series Feedback

Please send your feedback regarding the webinar series to info@movin-out.org