Change in permitting process for Washoe County projects in Lake Tahoe

Washoe County, Nevada and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) are continuing to work together to streamline project permitting for their customers, and have announced a change in the permitting process for projects in the Washoe County portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Previously, Washoe County accepted and reviewed permit applications on behalf of TRPA to ensure that projects comply with TRPA regulations. People working on projects in the Washoe County portion of the Tahoe Basin must now submit those requests directly to TRPA planners. This shift in the permit review process officially took effect on Dec. 5, 2017.

Washoe County will continue to issue building permits and to provide the standard project review required under International Building Codes, and Washoe County and TRPA are working together on this permitting transition.

To better serve the public, TRPA will make a planner available one day a week at Washoe County’s Incline Community Center to accept and review project applications for conformance with TRPA regulations that apply to residential additions and modifications, new construction of single-family and multi-family residential structures, commercial projects, and qualified-exempt residential activities.

The weekday and times the TRPA planner will be available at the Incline Community Center in Incline Village are still being finalized through a facility services agreement with Washoe County, though the TRPA planner is anticipated to start working out of the Incline Community Center this January.

“This restructure will allow both Washoe County and TRPA to focus on their areas of specialty and assist residents in a more convenient location,” said Washoe County Division Director of Planning and Building Mojra Hauenstein. “By embedding a TRPA specialty reviewer at the Washoe County Incline Community Center, we are working together to better deliver services to the community.”

Project applications submitted to Washoe County prior to Dec. 5, 2017 will go through the process with Washoe County handling the review and will not have an interruption in their approval process. TRPA permit reviews are done on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be completed as quickly as possible by dedicated staff.

“TRPA staff are ready to help people in the Washoe County portion of the Tahoe Basin with the application and review of projects, and to answer any questions about TRPA’s permit application and review processes,” said Wendy Jepson, current planning division manager for TRPA. “Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or need assistance.”

Questions about TRPA permit applications and regulations can be directed to the TRPA front counter planner Aly Borawski at (775) 589-5229 or aborawski@trpa.org.