Planning/Zoning

Zoning Map Zoning Ordinance

 

With the start of a new year come plans to get various project you may have been thinking of over the winter started. The City of St. Clairsville is reminding all residents, property owners and contractors that they must be in compliance with the Planning and Zoning Code prior to any new construction, the change in use of a structure and any new signs being erected. One of the most important questions during planning for a project is, "Does the City require a permit for what I plan to do?" This question should be asked early on and the City should be contacted. Listed below are situations when a permit is required:

  • New Home Construction
  • New Additions
  • New Decks or Replacing Old Decks
  • New Fences or Replacing Old Fences
  • New Walls or Replacing Old Walls (stone or other)
  • New Retaining Walls or Replacing Old Retaining Walls
  • New Pools or Replacing Old Pools
  • New Garages or Replacing Old Garages
  • New Accessory Structures or Replacing Old Accessory Structures
  • New Sheds or Replacing Old Sheds
  • New Driveways or Replacing Old Driveways
  • New Sidewalks or Replacing Old Sidewalks
  • Signs (New or Replacement)

Permits are not only required for residential uses but for commercial and industrial as well. Please do not assume that you do not need a permit and do not assume that the contractor will be getting the permit. Either make plans to get the permit yourself of make sure the contractor has a permit prior to starting work and if you do not see a permit displayed contact the City to find out what needs to be done. If you are not sure if you need a permit contact Tom Murphy, the Planning and Zoning Administrator, and he will gladly offer his assistance. Getting a permit is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner.

In the past year a few projects were started without a permit. The City became aware of this and in some cases this caused considerable problems for the homeowner. We want to avoid these types of situations. There is a process set up that takes approximately one week. This enables the City and its utility departments to review a project and ensure consistency with the Code. City staff will be more than glad to walk you through the process and assist in any way. The purpose of this is to protect the property owner. The last thing we want is for a homeowner to find out that they constructed something inconsistent with code or on top of a utility line. If a project has been started without the proper permit the job will be shut down. Again contact the City ahead of time so a situation like this can be avoided. We will review your project and ensure that all requirements of the code are being met. This will make the process smoothly. The steps one should take to ensure that they will be in compliance are:

  • Call the City of St. Clairsville at 695.1953 and ask for Tom Murphy
  • Find out what zone you are in
  • Find out the requirements for that zone
  • Meet with the Planning and Zoning Administrator
  • Draw up a plot plan and complete an application

In most cases a plot plan can be completed by the applicant. By finding out what can be done before hand, the applicant can pass through the application process quickly and simply. This can avoid having to apply for a variance, which takes more time, or the potential of having your project stopped due to lack of proper approval.

Another part of the Planning and Zoning Code requires that any change in use of a property must first be approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator. If you own a piece of property and are proposing to use it a certain way, prior to any development, you must check with the City to ensure that the use you propose is permitted in the zoning district it is found. For example, a commercial use would not be permitted in a residential zone. Also, prior to purchasing a particular piece of property that you may have plans for, contact Tom Murphy to ensure that the use you have proposed is permitted on that piece of property and in the zoning district.

Additionally, all signs, whether for a new business, a new sign for an existing business or just a change in face, must be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Each zoning district permits a certain number of signs and a certain amount of total square footage of signage.

Again, the City of St. Clairsville would like to remind people to get all permitting completed prior to any construction. If you are in doubt as to whether or not a permit is needed, call Tom Murphy at (740) 695.1953.