A: Setbacks are the minimum distance required from a property line to any structure. They are specific to the zoning of your property and the proposed use. You need to know setbacks prior to submitting an application for a building permit. Accessory structures such as sheds, workshops, and detached garages have a setback of ten (10) feet from the property line unless the principal building setbacks as outlined in the zoning district in which the property is located are less than ten (10) feet. In such instances, the accessory structure setback is the same as the principal building setbacks.

A: They are the same as the setbacks for an accessory structure (see the information about building setbacks above). Also, swimming pools shall be permitted only on the side or rear of the property and shall not encroach into any required building setbacks.

A: If a tree on your single-family residence is 36" in Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or less, you do not need a permit to remove it. Removal of a tree over 36" DBH may require a permit depending on the health and condition of the tree.

A: The CPZ is the area surrounding a tree within a circle described by a radius of one foot for every inch of the tree's DBH. A ten-inch DBH tree will have a CPZ with a ten-foot radius.

A: Unless there is an existing stormwater facility that has capacity reserved for your project the answer is probably yes. If your project is small (with a minimal amount of impervious) you might be able to use swales and berms to direct the stormwater to an approved public conveyance.

A: If the side slopes of the facility are greater than 4:1 then a fence is required. The fence shall be green, brown, or black vinyl coated at least four feet in height.

A: Stormwater operating permits are required to be renewed every three (3) years. If you received a renewal notice that means your stormwater operating permit will be expiring shortly and renewal is required.

A: If you believe flooding is the result of an active development site that is uphill from your property, please contact Growth Management's Land Use and Environmental Services Division at (850) 891-7100 for assistance. If you believe that flooding is due to something other than active development, please contact the City's Stormwater Division at (850)-891-6860.

A: If the wall is less than 24" tall you do not need a permit. For retaining walls taller than 24", you will need a permit and plans prepared by a licensed engineer. The permit application will be reviewed by the Growth Management Department's Building Inspection Division. The contact number for the Building Inspection Division is 891-7050.

A: There is a Standard Environmental Permit. This is for projects that impact stormwater runoff and generally involve the addition of a stormwater management facility as well as landscaping and tree removal components. There is a Minor Environmental Permit. This is for projects that that have an existing stormwater management facility with capacity to handle the additional runoff generated by the proposed project. There is a Combination Environmental and Building Permit. This is for the construction of a single-family residence, a duplex, or a triplex.

A: The answer is probably yes. A building permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any required impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system. There are exceptions allowed for general maintenance work that is non-structural in nature. It would be best to contact Growth Management's Building Inspection Division at (850) 891-7050 to determine if a building permit is required for your specific project.

A: If the shed is 100 square feet (10' x 10') or larger you will need a permit. You won't need a permit for a shed smaller than 100 square feet, but you will need be sure the placement meets the building set backs for you property.

A: Site Plan review through Growth Management's Land Use and Environmental Services Division for projects that consist of greater than 2,500 square feet of building floor area. Substantial modification to the exterior of a site may require site plan review as determined by the Land Use Administrator. The construction of one single, two, or three family dwelling unit requires building permitting but is exempt from the formal site plan review process in the Land Use and Environmental Services Division.

A: Growth Management's Building Inspection Division (850) 891-7050 reviews permit applications for new driveways for one and two family residences. The City's Infrastructure Compliance Division in the Public Works Department (850) 891-8476 issues driveway permits for multi-family residential and commercial projects.

A: An environmental permit is needed when more than 2,500 square feet of development activity will occur. Development activity includes Development activity includes earthwork, clearing, scraping, grubbing, or removing, damaging, or destroying the vegetation on a site. Underbrushing alone (with no associated earthwork, tree removal, or underbrushing within conservation areas) is not considered development activity and, therefore, does not require an environmental management permit.