Planning & Development July 2021 e-Newsletter

A monthly e-Newsletter from the Division of Planning and Development – July 2021

A Message from John Zeanah, Director

As we continue to transition to permitting in an online environment, we’re working to share more resources about how to get your project done. Ensuring our online services are available and accessible to customers is our top priority.

This month, we’ve launched a Residential Permit Guide intended to make the residential permitting process more clear and transparent to homeowners and contractors, outlining clear actions steps for customers to complete.

You can find the Residential Permit Guide by visiting the Develop 901 website. While you’re there, remember to spend some time reviewing our resources for using the Accela Citizen Access portal to apply for your permit. Both serve as helpful tools to assist you throughout the permitting process.

Residential Permit Guide Launch

This month, DPD is launching a step-by-step Residential Permit Guide through our partner Camino. The Residential Permit Guide provides residential applicants with a list of the forms, fees, and documents that are required for their projects. Enter an address and answer a series of questions about the project, and the guide will list every rule, requirement, and fee that applies.

Step-by-step guide for residential building permitting process
Checklist to help manage your project from start to finish

Create a login and password to save any guides that you create. Access the Residential Permit Guide from the Develop 901 website, and begin planning your residential project.

Changes in Down Payment Assistance Program

Effective July 1, 2021, the Department of Housing has changed the terms of its Down Payment Assistance program to provide income qualified homebuyers with assistance necessary for down payment and closing costs towards the purchase of a home in Shelby County.

Assistance will be provided in the form of a loan up to $6,000 at 3% interest for a term of up to 15 years. Homebuyers receiving this assistance must invest a minimum of $500 of their own funds and must be able to qualify for THDA, FHA, VA, or conventional mortgage financing. The home may be either an existing home or a newly constructed home anywhere within the boundaries of Shelby County as long as the purchase price does not exceed $250,000.

Purchasers must also complete a homebuyer education class provided by a housing counseling agency. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a housing counselor locator tool available to assist in finding a housing counselor in your local area.

For more information about these changes and other available programs, visit the Develop 901 website.

Planning and Implementation

Plans Review Now Located in City Hall

The Plans Review section of DPD’s Construction Enforcement department is now located in City Hall. Residential and commercial building permits will be issued from this location. With both the Plans Review and Land Use and Development Services staff in City Hall, the Division seeks to synergize the activities within these two sections to produce greater speed and accuracy in the overall development review process.

Residential permit applications will still be accepted, reviewed, and issued from our location on Mullins Station Road. Electronic submittals of building permit applications will not be affected. Any paper submittals of commercial building permit applications and plans must be delivered to the DPD Service Center in City Hall, 4^th floor, Room 477. Plans Review staff can be contacted by calling the DPD Service Center at 901-636-6619.

Staff Announcements

Burk Renner of our Land Use and Development Services department was recently recognized for his volunteer efforts as an Urban Forestry Advisor by the West Tennessee chapter of the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.

Upcoming Public Meetings

The Division has returned to holding in-person meetings. Meetings will still be broadcast live on the Division's YouTube channel.

Subscribe to Watch Meetings!

7/08/21 – Land Use Control Board

7/28/21 – Board of Adjustment

7/29/21 – Landmarks Commission

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