Spring thoughts turning to building projects

It is that time of year when thoughts turn to building projects, whether it be a new home or an addition to a home, a shop, adding a lean-to on a shop, adding a deck, a patio or many other residential and accessory structures.

A few things to remember when considering these projects. Bonner County requires a building location permit. Different from a building permit, a building location permit reviews a structure things such as types of structures allowed, floodplain, and setbacks from property lines, wetlands, and shorelines.

Which structures require a building location permit? Any structure over 200 square feet is the first rule of thumb. The second rule: Is the structure habitable? A 160-square-foot shed on the property for storage does not require a building location permit. However, be aware of the setbacks for the area as setbacks always apply to a structure. If the 160-square-foot structure includes living space, it does require a building location permit.

Building in a floodplain is possible in Bonner County, but it does require a flood development permit in addition to a building location permit. The flood development permit can be costly and can take longer to obtain than a normal permit. Learning about the floodplain on a property can be done either by reviewing the property on the Bonner County map viewer or contacting the Planning Department.

Finally, be aware of the setback requirements for a structure in your area or zone district. For example, a five-acre parcel in a five-acre zone requires a 25-foot setback from the greatest architectural projection of the structure to the property line and the property line against a street. If a road easement is on the property, there may be a 25-foot setback from the edge of the easement line. Setbacks can be determined by reviewing the Bonner County Revised Code online or contacting the Planning Department.

Measuring setbacks from the wall or foundation is not correct. Setbacks are measured from the greatest architectural projection, which means the roof eaves or drip line. This is especially important in order to address snow falling from rooftops. The setbacks enable enough room for snow accumulation without impacting a neighbor’s property.

Bonner County also has a 40-foot setback requirement from shorelines of lakes, sloughs, ponds or other similar basins including the Clark Fork and Pend Oreille rivers. For all other rivers or streams creeks or similar flowing bodies of water, the setback is 75 feet.

There is also a 40-foot setback to wetlands in Bonner County. If there are wetlands on a property, it is usually recommended that a wetland delineation be done to determine the type and location of a wetland. If a property owner chooses to obtain a fill permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, the 40-foot setback is still required from the edge of the unfilled wetland.

A couple recent changes to the building location permit include impact fees for residential and commercial structures in the Northside Fire District. The other change is permits for all structures inside any sewer district, excluding Panhandle Health, requires a sign-off from the sewer district prior to submittal of a building location permit.

As always questions can be addressed by contacting the Bonner County Planning Department at 1500 U.S. 2, Suite 208, Sandpoint; or 208-265-1458 or planning@bonnercountyid.gov.

Milton Ollerton is the director of the Bonner County Planning Department.