Mill Valley Planning And Building Update March 25

Press release from the City of Mill Valley:

MARCH 25, 2020

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and out of concern for the safety of staff as well as the public, as of Monday, March 16, 2020 City Hall is closed to the general public. Planning and Building services have shifted to virtual appointments only (i.e. phone, email or a virtual meeting) and are limited to “essential services,” based on the Marin County Health Officer Shelter in Place Order(“Shelter in Place Order”). Please note that local requirements continue to change, so please check the City webpage for updates.

Building and Planning permits currently in process will continue to be processed. Building inspections are limited and will be “virtual inspections” when possible. Those inspections requiring in-person inspection will be performed with new health and safety protocols in place. New building and planning permit applications will only be accepted if deemed as “essential” (such as increasing housing stock or addressing a safety concern).

Pursuant to the Shelter in Place Order, non-essential home improvement projects that do not require a permit, such as landscaping and painting are not deemed as “essential” and are NOT permitted during this public health emergency. See the Shelter in Place Order for more information on what types of activities are permitted. Please click here for additional information on Home Improvement Projects.

See additional information below summarizing current services for the Department:

Planning Division

Existing Applications: Planning staff will continue to process existing applications, as resources allow. Priority for action will be for projects that qualify as “Essential Infrastructure” and “Essential Businesses” in the March 16, 2020 Order of Marin County Health Officer or for permits related to life, safety, sanitation, emergency and/or essential operation. Action will be taken on other projects on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Director of Planning and Building and based on the staffing capacity and the City’s ability to conduct virtual meetings for projects that require public hearings.

New Applications: New planning applications will only be accepted forprojects that qualify as “Essential Infrastructure” and “Essential Businesses” in the Shelter in Place Order or for permits related to life, safety, sanitation, emergency and/or essential operation. Examples of “essential infrastructure” include projects that create new housing such as a new single-family dwelling on a vacant lot or a new Accessory Dwelling Unit. Applications will only be accepted by mail. For Planning application materials, submittal requirements, and supporting documentation, please refer to the Planning Division web page. Contact the Planning Division at planning@cityofmillvalley.org, (415) 388-4033 if you have any questions regarding the Planning applications.

Building Division

Building Inspections will be provided only for essential construction activities with active building permits consistent with the purpose of the Shelter in Place Order. Work must generally be necessary for the provision of continued life, health and/or safety and may include repairs of necessary appliances, mechanical equipment, or other residential construction required for sheltering in place as determined by the Building Official or Director of Planning and Building. Inspections related to construction that increases the local supply of housing will also be provided. The Shelter in Place Order exempts maintenance of essential infrastructure, including the construction of housing.

Inspectors will not be permitted to conduct inspections if they cannot comply with social distancing requirements or otherwise cannot safely conduct inspections. The Building Official has authorized building inspectors to make such determinations at their sole discretion.

How to schedule an inspection:

To call for an inspection, email: building@cityofmillvalley.orgor phone: (415) 388-4033.

Residential Building Reports will be suspended during the local emergency.

Existing plan check submittals will continue to resume, with new procedures for accepting all re-submittals via email, mail or FTP site. For questions regarding plan check procedures or status of plan check submittals, contact Athena Langdon, Permit Services Coordinator at: alangdon@cityofmillvalley.org or (415) 384-4815.

New Building Permit applications for projects that qualify as “Essential Infrastructure” and “Essential Businesses” in the Shelter in Place Order or for life, safety, sanitation, emergency and/or essential operation will be accepted and prioritized. Other applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Planning and Building Director. For Building Permit application materials, submittal requirements and supporting documentation, please refer to the Building Division web page. To initiate the process, complete the permit application and supporting documentation and e-mail to Athena Langdon, Permit Services Coordinator atalangdon@cityofmillvalley.org. For questions regarding building permit application submittals, contact Athena Langdon, Permit Services Coordinator at: alangdon@cityofmillvalley.org or (415) 384-4815.

Building Permit Issuance

Permit issuance services (electronic only) will continue for projects that qualify as “Essential “Infrastructure” and “Essential Businesses” as defined in the Shelter in Place Order.

Fire Inspections Related to Building Permits

Please click here for information regarding Fire Inspections.

Code Enforcement:

Code Enforcement staff will continue to work on current cases on a priority basis (with life/safety issues being a top priority). If a field inspection is required, the Code Enforcement Officer will implement new protocols to ensure that health and safety practices are followed and if applicable an initial screening conducted over the phone prior to scheduling the inspection. Use our website if you have questions about a code enforcement case or would like to report a violation.

Public Inquiries

When needed, schedule a phone or online appointment. Out of an abundance of caution, no in-person meetings will be conducted at the present time to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• For general Planning Division related questions, contact planning@cityofmillvalley.org, or for general zoning information, go towww.marinmap.organd/or the Planning Department’s forms and resources page.
• For general Building Division related questions, contact Becky Murray, Administrative Aide at: bmurray@cityofmillvalley.org or phone: (415) 388-4033.

Stay Informed

Please note that local requirements continue to change, so please check the City’s website and Planning and Building page for updates.

This press release was produced by the City of Mill Valley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.