Plans Review Process

Permitting Steps

Visioning (Pre-Submittal Meeting – Optional)
- What: Optional meeting to receive staff feedback prior to official submittal of Plans Review application. Opportunity for guidance when plans are preliminary and still in the idea stage.
- Who: Applicant and any staff requested by applicant.
- When: Every other Wednesday morning - must register with ACC Economic Development Department by noon the Friday prior to the meeting.
- Schedule a Visioning Meeting through the Economic Development Department
Pre-Conference (Stormwater/Engineering Conference)
- What: If certain stormwater thresholds are triggered, this is a mandatory meeting to ensure stormwater requirements are met. Other ACC utility and engineering staff will attend to provide project coordination comments.
- Who: Applicant, ACC Development Coordinator, ACC Stormwater Management, and other site reviewers.
- When: Scheduled with applicant and reviewers when triggered.
- Schedule a Stormwater Conference through the Public Works Department
Application (Submit Plans Review Application and Pay Estimated Fees)
- What: Official beginning of Plans Review Process. Application submitted to ACC Planning Department. All estimated Plan Submittal and Review fees paid to ACC Building Permits & Inspections.
- Who: Applicant
- When: Plans can be submitted at any time. Building Plan submittal deadlines are every Tuesday at noon. Site Plan submittal deadlines are every other Tuesday at noon.
- Plans Review Application Form
- Plans Review Fee Calculator
- Plans Review Meeting and Deadline Schedule
Review (Review of Plans by ACC Staff & Other Agencies)
- What: Plans are reviewed to ensure compliance with applicable code requirements.
- Who: Athens-Clarke County departments and other outside agencies as required (i.e. Health Department).
- When: Reviews begin after plan submittal deadlines (Building Plan submittal deadlines are every Tuesday at noon. Site Plan submittal deadlines are every other Tuesday at noon.)
- Plans Review Meeting and Deadline Schedule
Response (Receive Comments from ACC Staff)
- What: Any comments from staff describing needed plan revisions or clarifications are emailed to the applicant for review prior to the Plans Review Conference.
- Who: Comments are sent from reviewing ACC departments and any outside agencies (i.e. Health Department).
- When: 8 days after the Building Plan submittal deadline or 15 days after the Site Plan submittal deadline.
Roundtable (Plans Review Conference with ACC Staff)
- What: Plans Review roundtable conference to share information and answer or ask questions about projects on the week’s agenda.
- Who: ACC reviewing departments and outside agencies. Applicants are encouraged to attend, but it is not a required meeting.
- When: Every Thursday morning for Building Plan submittals, 9 days after submittal deadline. Every other Thursday afternoon for Site Plan submittals, 16 days after submittal deadline.
- Plans Review Meeting and Deadline Schedule
Adjustments (Revisions & Resubmittals)
- What: Applicant revises plans per comments received from staff and resubmits to the Planning Department for further feedback. Step may be repeated if necessary.
- Who: Applicant resubmits plans and ACC departments or outside agencies respond.
- When: Any time after applicant has revised plans. Resubmittal comments are provided within 14 days for first revisions to site plans. All other comments are provided within 7 days.
- Revision Form and Resubmittal Requirements
Connections (Utility Connection Approval)
- What: Process to provide water and sewer connections, and to address any water or sewer issues prior to the issuance of any permits.
- Who: Applicant and ACC Public Utilities Department.
- When: After engineering plans are approved and contract with the ACC Public Utilities Department is signed.
- Contact the Public Utilities Department
Approval (Final Fees Paid and Permit Issued)
- What: Permit is issued for construction to begin.
- Who: Permits issued by ACC Building Inspections (Building Plans) and/or ACC Transportation & Public Works Department (Site Plans). Depending on the project, other specialized permits may be required (Health Department or Solid Waste permits). Fees are paid by applicant.
- When: After the ACC Planning Department confirms that all review comments are satisfied, plans are stamped as “Approved”, and remaining fee balance is paid.

Plans Review Process

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