FAQs

City Building and Planning Department

• How is a Special Improvement District created?

  A petition is filed with the City reflecting a substantial interest by property owners in a specified improvement.

  b. The City Commission will authorize the development of preliminary cost data which may be done by City staff or a consultant.

  c. If a consultant is needed, a selection committee will be approved by the City Commission, unless the citizen group has already hired an engineer.

  d. The Commission will then consider passing a Resolution of Intent to create the district.

  e. A 15-day waiting period begins during which time residents receive square footage costs and neighborhood meetings are held to explain the data.

  f. After the waiting period a public hearing is held at which the City Commission review protests. If more than 51% protest, the district will not be created. If less than 51% protest, the district can be created at the discretion of the City Commission.

• How is an alley or street vacated?

  Application is made to the Planning Office and it is then reviewed by the Development Review Committee (DRC). The DRC makes a recommendation to the City Manager who presents the application to the City Commission for final action.

• What is the procedure to apply for a zone change?

  An applicant must go to the City Planner to obtain and fill out an application form. A fee is required with the application. The Planner publishes a notice of public hearing on the rezoning request 15 days before the public hearing on such a request. Notices are sent to property owners within 300 feet of the property notifying them of the rezoning request. A staff recommendation is then prepared and the applicant is made aware of that recommendation before the public hearing. The public hearing is held before the Zoning Commission and this body forwards its recommendation to the City Commission.

• What is the procedure used to apply for a variance to the City Zoning Ordinance and/or special exception?

  An application is made to staff in the Planning Office, who then brings the application and request before the City Commission for consideration and action.

• What procedures must be followed before a building permit is issued?

  Two complete sets of plans including site plan, cross-section(s), elevation(s), foundation and floor plan must be submitted to the Building Department along with a completed Permit Application. The plans are reviewed, any deficiencies are noted and corrections are made by the applicant. Once the plans are approved, a permit may be issued. Residential projects will be charged a plan review fee as well as a permit fee. Commercial projects will be charged just a permit fee, but at a higher rate than residential projects.

• When is a building permit needed?

  Building permits are required for any structural work done on a building. This includes re-roofing, changing door or window openings, moving or adding walls and building exterior decks. Changes made to a commercial building, even though minor in nature, will almost always require a permit to verify that life safety codes specific to the occupancy are being followed.

  Detached, one-story, residential storage buildings not larger than 120 square feet do not need a building permit.

• Who can apply for a building permit?

  Anyone who wishes to do work on his private residence may do any or all of the work himself. As with all building construction in Livingston, the Building Inspector and/or Fire Inspector makes periodic inspections to see that the work meets the requirements of the adopted Code. A list of inspections is provided to the permit holder when the permit is issued and it is this person's responsibility to see that all inspections are made at the proper time. Permits for work on a structure other than a private residence must be purchased and the work completed by a licensed professional in the corresponding field.