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I am hearing that the environmental authority SETENA is not getting involved in new construction permit applications for projects under 500 square meters (total) — a new development. And, projects under this size will have permits handled exclusively at the municipality level and not involving San Jose bureaucrats. Is this true and in effect? And any other details appreciated.
This is potential interesting news and a good idea if the local municipality gets the resources. Still a huge house @ 500m2. The cut-off for architect designed drawings here in WA is 4,000 SF or 382m2 but all permit applications are handled at the local level, unless a body of water or wetland is affected, then the state steps in for an EIS. Hopefully they will treat phased attached living/multi-occupant units, including multiple casitas (3 o more) on one parcel of property the same as commercial projects. CRBuilder might know about this.
As I understand it, 500 square meters (roughly 5300 square feet) would be a combined total figure per property. For example adding up — a main house, casita (care taker quarters) and pool-patio-rancho could get you up or near that total pretty quickly.
As apposed to here where they limit lot coverage with impermeable surface (drives, concrete roofs & decks included to 40% max. For a typical 900 m2 lot that is still nearly 4,000 SF of footprint!. For a 1 HA piece that = 43,000 SF, which would allow farms or stables. I live on a 5A (2 HA) piece, as do my neighbors and here are few homes over 4,000 SF. I would build in phases with separate permits and avoid the limitation.
I don’t think you can skirt the coverage limitations by building in phases, grb. When we built our main house, on the same property as our previously built guest house, our architect did have to address the matter of coverage with the municipalidad.
Btw, as background, SETENA has not required an environmental evaluation as a prerequisite for any construction of 300m2 or less. A move of the bar to 500m2 would be a very welcome development if true.
The area coverage is not the only consideration SETENA takes into account when deciding on requiring a study or some other formal process. SETENA can and does require environmental processes, such as studies, in what they determine as sensitive areas, regardless of the area coverage. Something to keep in mind before you buy property in a sensitive environmental area.
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