Programs
 Graffiti Abatement
Capital Improvement Plan - A printed copy of the 5-year CIP is available at the Community Development Department counter. Please contact the Department for further information.
Storefront Improvement Project
Housing Element - The Housing Element (and Appendices) includes policies and programs designed to meet the housing needs of the City and plan for future residential development.
Please contact the Community Development Department at commdev@grover.org for additional information on the above-listed programs.
Community Development Department Local Stimulus Programs
Water Conservation Programs
- Water-Efficient Washing Machine Rebate Program
- Cash for Grass Rebate Program
- Smart Irrigation Controller and Sensor Rebate Program
Building Permit Discount Program
Home Repair Loan Program
Please contact: Building/Planning Technician Cassandra Mesa at cmesa@grover.org for additional information on the above-listed Local Stimulus Programs.
Services
Building Permits in 9 easy steps ...
Note: If you are out of the area and are unable to make the trip up to Grover Beach to obtain a building permit, please contact the Community Development Department, at (805) 473-4520, for additional information on how they can help you.
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Permits By Fax ...
The type of improvements that will be allowed by the Permits By Fax program are as follows:
A Permit By Fax form is available on-line. You must have Adobe Acrobat to download any of the files/"Tech Sheets" listed above in PDF format. You must come in to pay for and sign the permit.
Informal Review
Entitlement Process
Before you do anything official, bring a rough sketch of your lot and ideas to the Community Development Department, and we'll tell you if you're within the parameters of what is allowed. We might also be able to suggest something that will improve your project. This step is optional, but it is a good idea to use it.
It's at this stage that we try to spot the need for architectural review or other additional procedures. If something extra is required, it's better to get it out of the way before you apply for a building permit. That way you can get the City's decision on your concepts before you spend a lot of money on detailed plans that might have to be changed.
When you improve your property, keep in mind that installation of fire sprinklers, underground utilities, and curb, gutter and sidewalk with paveout may be required. The street design must be completed before a building permit is issued, so that the plan reflects the design of the street improvements. It may be necessary to submit a bond payment to ensure completion of the improvements. Further information on this requirement can be obtained from the City's Planning Staff.
Application
You can apply for your building permit as soon as your plans are complete. The application consists of an application plus your plans (number of copies needed are listed below). Forms are available at the Community Development Department counter and are filled out and signed by you or your authorized representative. You, the owner, need not apply in person if you have given written authorization to your representative. Otherwise your signature is required on the application. If your plans are complete as outlined below, the form will be easy to fill out.
One of the most important items on the form is a telephone number where we can reach you or your representative during business hours. You should include your number plus a number for the designer and/or contractor. The important thing is to give us a working phone where we can reach a reliable source for information about your project, and where we can call to tell you your plans have been checked or your permit is ready. Don't give us your home phone number if no one is there during the day.
When you turn the application in to the Community Development Department, you will need to submit your plans. The types of plans and number of copies vary as follows:
- For a new house, residential addition, patio, garage or the like, submit four (4) sets. These must include a site plan, foundation plan with details, floor plans, framing plans, exterior elevations (including height elevations and views from all sides), structural sections, electrical/mechanical/plumbing plans, drainage and grading plan, utility plan, and landscape plan.
- For an interior remodel, three (3) sets. These must include a site plan, proposed and existing floor plans, and structural sections and construction details.
Remember that a site plan drawn to scale will have to show your entire lot and all buildings, plus off-street parking spaces and all trees. Be sure to include the owner's name, contact information, and the street address of the project at the bottom of each sheet of plans.
Upon submittal of your building permit application, an initial plan check fee must be paid. This fee is based on the value of project proposed (i.e., single family residence, additions, etc.) and is credited toward the final building permit fees.
Lastly, if your project received Planning Commission approval, be sure that you have addressed all the conditions placed on the approval. All Planning Commission Conditions of Approval shall be provided on a full size drawing sheet as part of the drawing sets.
[ Typical Structural Section |
Sample Site Plan ]
Plan Check
After you submit your application, your plans are examined by the City Departments, including Building, Planning, Public Works, Fire, and Engineering. The County Health Department reviews certain applications also.
Plan checks are made in the order in which plans are submitted. Yours will be in the hopper with plans submitted by everyone else, including developers with large commercial or subdivision projects. No type of project is given special treatment.
The first plan check is usually completed within 2 to 3 weeks after you submit your plans and application, but this can vary, depending on our workload and the scope/size of the project.
 We will call you !!
We will call you when the plan check is complete. Please do not call regarding the status of a plan check unless absolutely necessary. We get roughly 20 calls a day from impatient builders wondering if their plan check has been completed. Each call means your application will be delayed a little longer while we answer the phone.
Should you need to get a hold of us for some other reason, give the Building Division a call at (805) 473- 4520.
Along with your plans, you'll get a correction list that includes all the comments from the various departments that have reviewed your plans. Even the most professional plans almost always require corrections, so don't be discouraged if you have to make several changes.
Corrections
Now you must amend your plans, following the correction list made out by the Building Division. A few minor corrections can be made on the original drawings, but if anything major must be changed, or if minor changes are numerous or can't be made neatly, you must draw new plans. Remember to resubmit your correction list with the revised plans, and your redlined plans.
Second Plan Check
Your corrected plans must now be rechecked. Bring copies of the revised plans and the original red-lined set(s) to the Building Division as soon as they're ready.
If you have followed the correction list carefully, this will be the last check required. Be sure to carefully review the correction list and make the necessary changes, since rechecking will cost you time (and money) after the second check.
The Permit
As soon as the recheck is completed and no further corrections are needed, we prepare the document for the building permit. We call you as soon as the permit is ready to be issued. We will also return one (1) set of approved and stamped plans with your permit.
School fees, if required, must be paid prior to permit issuance to Lucia Mar School District. We will give you a form to take to the District. When we call, we'll tell you the full amount of the fees, including building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing, which must be paid when you or your representative pick up the permit.
Business Tax Certificate (BTC) -
Along with the permit, you will need a City business tax certificate, obtained through the Administrative Services Department, for any person working for you who is required to have one. For more information on obtaining a BTC, contact the Administrative Services Department at (805) 473-4550, or via e-mail at: finance@grover.org
Now you may begin your project, faithfully following the City approved plans and the City inspection schedule. If at any time you need to make a change in your approved plans, you must check with Building Division Staff before proceeding. The Field Building Inspector is not authorized to approve changes on the job site.
 Inspections
You may request to schedule a pre-construction meeting with the Building Official and Inspector prior to starting the project.
City building inspectors will check your work as you progress. You must get an inspection after each stage, before you go on to the next. You will be given an inspection record card, which must be posted at the site of your project. This card must be signed by a field inspector each step of the way.
The Building Division representative will explain this procedure and give you the card when you pick up your building permit. Along with the inspection card, one copy of the approved plans must be at the site when someone's working there and when the inspector arrives. A temporary address must be on site before calling for your first inspection.
It is essential to follow the inspection schedule. If you get ahead of it, you may have to rip out some of the work you've done so the inspector can look at your previous work. A permanent address must be installed prior to calling for final electric.
Please call for inspections the day before you want us to be there. The answering machine phone number is (805) 473-4527. Do not call the department phone number for an inspection unless directed to do so on the recording.
Finishing Up
There is not a fixed period in which you must complete your project, but you must show progress within certain time frames. You are allowed 180 days to begin work, counting from the day the permit is picked up and fees are paid. Then, some work (something an inspector could notice) must occur every 180 days. When you are finished, don't forget to call for a final inspection!
Contact Information: City Staff in Planning & Building Divisions
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