What's New in the Building Department

New MPW Requirements

Effective March 1, 2023, we will be making changes to our MPW approval requirements for some building permits. We will continue to require proof of payment for MPW watertap fees prior to the issuance of new single family building permits.  Effective Marsh 1st, we will also now require MPW approval that a permanent water meter has been installed on site prior to scheduling final inspections. The meter requests are scheduled on the MPW website at www.mountpleasantwaterworks.com. MPW will notify the Building Inspection Division when the inspection is complete and the permanent water meter is installed. Upon completion of this, you can proceed with the scheduling of final inspections. For more information regarding this, please email MPW New Services Program at newservices@mpwonline.com.

Single Family Residential Stormwater Management and Tree Preservation Program

 ***The below changes take place beginning on March 1, 2019***

What is it?

The Single Family Residential Stormwater Management and Tree Preservation Program is a new Ordinance set into effect by Town Council to address unmanaged stormwater and improve efficiency for tree removal which will be administered via this new permit.  This new program will help set forth standards by which the Town, citizens and homebuilders may use as a means to administer, regulate and manage construction of single family lots, while preserving existing trees and buffers. Tree preservation is accepted and recognized as a natural resource to sustaining property values, by maintaining the historical character, and protecting the significant benefits to the environment through wildlife habitats, energy preservation, air quality, and the promotion of higher infiltration rates through tree/groundwater transpiration.

The intent of this permit is to minimize tree and stormwater impacts due to construction on single family lots. These requirements insure the protection of neighboring properties from unmanaged stormwater and construction site sediment while minimizing impacts to existing trees and buffers.

It shall be the responsibility of each property owner to undertake land development activity in a way that does not diffuse or cast concentrated runoff in a direction that will cause adverse impacts onto lower elevated property and to alter land in such a way that will not displace, deflect, obstruct or impede stormwater from higher elevated property

How does this affect you?

Contractors and residents who plan to proceed with clearing and grading activities that disturb or alter land on a single family parcel must have a stormwater management and tree preservation permit prior to doing so.  You can make application for this permit only by making application for a building permit (please visit our applications page).  All applications must be complete meaning a full set of Architectural and Structural plans and a formal survey.  It is important we can review your proposed plans to fully gauge the impact to the impervious surface of your lot with the proposed construction.

 Examples of projects that will require this new permit are construction of a new home, improvements or additions to an existing home, deck or screened porch, construction of a pool or any detached structure, etc.  This permit will be issued only after a suitable plan is approved and installed in accordance with such plan.   

When will this go into effect?

Beginning March 1st, this new permit is required before any land clearing or disturbance may occur on any property. Authorization of this permit confirms that the applicant is in compliance with the minimum standards and is authorized to commence proposed site improvements.  Please note that any applicable Building Permit application received on or after March 1, 2019 will not be approved and issued until this Single Family Stormwater Management and Tree Preservation Permit is issued and all inspections are successfully completed.

Key points to remember...

This new program is a proactive approach to stormwater and tree removal and allows you to perform site work prior to the issuance of a building permit.  This new program allows you, the property owner, the ability to responsibly remove trees, alter land, and expand development on their property while effectively managing all stormwater runoff discharging from the project boundaries.

After March 1, 2020 all building and pool applications will require you break out your job costs to reflect work associated with the land clearing and the building of the structure or pool. We will use this information to generate a stormwater management permit.  

Please click here to watch an informational video about this permit

Please click here to view the Ordinance.

We hope this information is helpful, please contact us with additional questions.