Furthermore, even though zoning may be By Right, there may be dimensional requirements or special conditions that muddy the picture. But You May Not See When looking at a piece of ground, the developer hopes to see all of the features that may affect the outcome of his project. The shape and contour of the land must be suitable. Adequate, safe access is essential. Sewer and water lines have to be available or the ground must be suitable for septic systems and wells.
Development can be difficult if wetlands or floodplains are present.
Permit Me, If You Will Any development requires at least a few permits, and some developments require as many as a dozen separate permits. There are permits for driveways, permits for erosion control, permits for sewage disposal, permits to install drainage, permits to build a pond, permits to draw water from the ground, permits to put water into the ground, permits to encroach in streams, permits to impact wetlands, permits for building, and permits for zoning. There are municipal permits, county permits, state permits, and federal permits. Almost every permit requires you to submit a separate, multi-page application. Many permits require supplemental data such as calculations, expert reports, and specialized drawings.