The Planning & Building Department – Long Range Planning Division is looking for architects and designers interested in having their duplex plans pre-approved and featured on the County Planning and Building website. Provide a set of duplex plans to the Long-Range Planning Division and, if selected, you’ll receive a plan check free of charge and will be featured on the Planning and Building website. The deadline to submit your architectural plans is Wednesday, Dec. 22 Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.
Background
Humboldt County needs more housing options and the Planning and Building Department is encouraging property owners to consider constructing duplexes to increase variety and affordability of housing locally. The department will pre-approve a handful of duplex plans to be featured on its website.
The Vision
In early 2022, the Planning and Building Department hopes to launch an online library of pre-approved duplex plans owned by architects and designers. The Planning Division would function to connect interested individuals with the owners of the pre-approved plans. The program aims to bolster housing production and improve the experience of property owners by reducing the cost, uncertainty, and time of the building process.
The Details
In exchange for the covered cost of pre-approval, designers and architects are expected to reduce the cost of their services by the value of the pre-approval, passing along the benefit to the public. To see an example of the model that the Planning Department aims to emulate, go to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety website.
Note added Dec. 15: The Los Angeles site features Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans rather than duplex plans. Humboldt County Planning Department may expand its library to include ADU plans at a later date.
If you have any questions, contact Keenan Hilton at khilton@co.humboldt.ca.us or 707-268-3722.