reminder about clearing and permits

[unknownjulie]

I read through the entire new building code a couple months ago, and I think there was an area that specified that in order to clear more than one acre you need a permit. This includes driveway area. So, on 2 or 3 acre lots -please just remember you cant just go in there and "clear pin to pin" anymore. I am not sure if I also read about a ten foot buffer zone around perimeter, but i'm sure someone here knows.

[YurtGirl]

Ten foot buffer isn't law, but it is a good idea so you have that wiggle room. You have setbacks for building, cesspool, catchment, etc, but not clearing or driveways or fencing.

Melissa Fletcher
___________________________
"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973

[Rob Tucker]

There is usually a driveway setback from the property line. Engineering Department usually approves the entrance to the driveway.

[YurtGirl]

The Engineering department doesn't get involved with actually designing or signing off on driveway entries for a large part of Puna. It says they do in the paperwork, but unless in a paved road area or off the highway, I've never had a driveway inspection take place, nor had rules imposed on the driveway. If you do have to, it is a MAJOR pain in the butt. Especially off the highway. You'll end up spending years of time and several thousand dollars trying to jump those ridiculous hoops.

Other than that, all I've seen for any of the subdivisions in Puna is just a paper they want people to sign saying that the county 'can' get involved and you 'should' do things a certain way. Seems like another example of half-way covering the liability factor for the county. There's no enforcement, nor clear line of getting the full information of what they expect your driveway entrance to be.

Where do you find a driveway setbacks from the property lines, Rob? I've never seen one noted nor enforced. Just structures, eaves, catchments, pools, and septic or cesspools.

Melissa Fletcher
___________________________
"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973

[kalakoa]

Code actually says "clear, grub or grade" and I seem to recall a quarter-acre limit.

Given that the "roads" are often "private", I would think driveway entrances aren't up to the County, especially when the "road" is actually a piece of directly-owned property.

Put another way, County can tell me where to put my driveway ... as soon as they take ownership of the roads, complete with pavement and signage.