Procedures for Obtaining a Building Permit in Concord
To obtain a building permit in the City of Concord, applicants must first ensure their proposed project complies with the Concord Development Code and obtain any required planning permits, such as a zoning clearance or design review, before the building permit can be issued [Section 18.10.030, Section 18.25.020]. The city requires that all proposed construction, including new structures, alterations, or replacements, must meet applicable requirements in the development code as a condition for receiving a building permit [Section 18.10.030].
Preliminary Planning and Zoning Compliance
Before filing for a building permit, applicants should confirm that their project is permitted within the specific zoning district of the property [Section 18.25.020].
- Initial Meeting: For many projects, a pre-submittal conference or initial meeting with the City of Concord planning division is required to review general requirements, determine the necessary permits, and identify any required technical studies [Section 18.402.020].
- Zoning Clearance: A zoning clearance is often a prerequisite for a building permit. This process verifies that the proposed use is allowed in the specific Concord zoning district and complies with all relevant development standards [Section 18.410.010, Section 18.410.020].
- Design and Site Review: Projects may also require design and site review, which is a process to ensure that the project is compatible with existing development and conforms to city design guidelines and architectural standards [Section 18.415.010].
Application Process and Permit Requirements
Once any necessary planning permits have been obtained, the applicant may proceed with the building permit application process through the city's building division [Section 18.25.020].
- Submission: The application must include all information identified in the relevant checklists, such as detailed plans, drawings, and, if applicable, evidence of compliance with other requirements like environmental review or tree protection [Section 18.405.030].
- Fees: All required application fees must be paid in accordance with the City of Concord fee schedule before the city will deem an application complete and begin processing [Section 18.405.030].
- Review: The city staff will review the application for compliance with the development code. If the application is deemed incomplete, the applicant will be notified of the items that need to be submitted [Section 18.405.040].
- Final Approval: Once the application is complete and all applicable requirements have been met, the building division may issue the building permit. Construction must be pursued diligently once the permit is issued [Section 18.505.020].
Key Permit Review Authorities
The following table outlines the review responsibility for various types of planning approvals that may be required prior to or in conjunction with a building permit application:
| Permit Type | Primary Review Authority |
|---|---|
| Zoning Clearance | Planning Division |
| Design and Site Review | Planning Division / Design Review Board |
| Administrative Permit | Planning Division |
| Minor Use Permit | Zoning Administrator |
| Use Permit | Planning Commission |
| Hillside Development Use Permit | Planning Commission |
Sections Cited
- Section 18.10.030: Applicability
- Section 18.25.020: General requirements for development and land use
- Section 18.402.020: Initial meeting
- Section 18.405.030: General application requirements
- Section 18.405.040: Application review
- Section 18.410.010: Purpose
- Section 18.410.020: Applicability
- Section 18.415.010: Purpose
- Section 18.505.020: Time limits and extensions