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Building Inspections

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1. When is a building permit required?

If the structure is changed a permit is required. This includes if the floor, walls, roof, windows, or doors are added, removed, or changed. If a system such as the electrical system is added to, the furnace is replaced, etc., a permit is needed.

2. Why are building permits needed?

The people of a city move on or pass away. The buildings make up the permanent city. Only by having knowledgeable, qualified inspectors look at the buildings while they are under construction can the City be assured the buildings are durable and safe.

3. What does a permit cost?

The permit fees are based on the cost (valuation) of the construction. A deposit fee of $500 is charged for all new residential and commercial plan submissions. This fee is payable upon submission of construction plans to the Building Department for review and is applied to the cost of the final building permit. Sheds, garages, remodels, additions, and basements need a $45 deposit. Pools require a $100 deposit. A state fee of 1% of the building permit fee is charged and sent to the state.

The fees are all different in Highland, depending upon what was paid at development stage. These fees are fixed for new single family residential permits and are as follows:

• Sewer: $2,296


• Timp. Sewer District: $3,812


• Pressurized Irrigation: $1,350


• Parks: $6,834


• Road: $1,210


• Bond: $1,000


• Public Safety: $997


• Culinary Water: $1,835


• Meter: $360


• Open Space: $20

4. Who can prepare the plans?

For all commercial uses including apartments a state licensed architect or engineer must prepare the plans. For single family houses and garages anyone can draw the plans. If we are presented a really poor set of plans we can require them to be redone by a professional.

Generally, with a single family dwelling, an engineer may have to size the beams and some of the connections. Generally for basement construction projects, you can draw your own plans. For anything else we may require that a licensed engineer review these plans and stamp them prior to submission to ensure structural integrity. All plans must be drawn to scale and should be no smaller than ¼" = 1'. Plans must include all construction details, including but not limited to electrical layout, window size and location, doors, smoke detectors, framing detail, beam size, engineering, etc.

5. How do I schedule inspections?

Inspections are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm by calling (801) 772-4516. All inspections are scheduled no less than 24 hours in advance of the inspection time. Please make certain that all work is complete and you are ready for your inspection prior to calling.

The standard inspections are, but are not limited to, footings, foundations, temporary power, underground plumbing, four-way (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and framing), permanent power, stucco, weather barrier, flashing, sheetrock, shower pan, and final inspection. However, depending upon the complexity of your construction there may be other inspections required. Check with anyone from the Building Department at (801) 772-4515 if you have questions concerning what inspections you need.

6. What information is required on the plans?

See the checklists under Applications and Fees.

7. What are the building codes?

View Highland's adopted codes.

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Community Development & Planning

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1. What is zoning?

All of the land within the City is broken into zones, which allow different land uses for residential, office, and commercial. Each zone (or district) has a list of permitted uses. Each district also has a list of certain rules for the development of these uses which include lot coverage, building setbacks, parking requirements, height requirements, signage, and landscaping.

2. What is my property zoned?

You can find out the zoning on your property by calling the Community Development Department at (801) 772-4515. Typically, just a street address is needed. You can also look at the zoning map online; however, we recommend you call the Community Development Department at (801) 772-4515 to verify that the information is correct.

3. Can I build a shed or accessory structure on my property?

A structure on a foundation and/or over 200 square feet (footprint) is considered an accessory structure and requires a building permit. The total square footage of all accessory structures, including swimming pools, may not exceed 5% of the total lot area and may not be built in an easement. An accessory structure may not exceed 25 feet in height and must be at least six feet from the closest point of the home.

4. How do I subdivide my property?

Whether or not a property is eligible for subdivision requires the analysis of several factors, including road frontage and access, infrastructure analysis, etc. The Planning Division staff would be happy to provide you with more information on the subdivision process. Please contact the Community Development Department at (801) 772-4515 to obtain additional information.

5. What animals can I have?

Three large animals (a cow, horse, sheep, goat, etc.) may be kept on a lot with a minimum area of 30,000 square feet. Four large animals may be kept on a lot with a minimum area of 40,000 square feet. One additional large animal may be kept for each 10,000 square feet of area of the lot in excess of 40,000 square feet. No small animals shall be kept on a lot of less than 20,000 square feet. No more than 12 small animals (chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, etc.) may be kept per 20,000 square feet of lot area. Pigs are not allowed.

6. What easements do I have on my property?

Generally, utility easements are 10 feet on all sides of the property. Some properties have trail, park, and waterway easements, which can all be determined by checking the subdivision plat.

7. What is the difference between an easement and a setback?

An easement is a designated area on a lot that allows utility companies, the City, waterways, or other designated entities access to landowners’ property. A setback is the distance a building or structure may be from the property line.

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Finance

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1. What are the primary tax revenue sources for the City?

Property tax, sales tax, and franchise taxes.

2. What is the calendar for the budget process?

The preliminary budget is compiled in the first quarter of the calendar year. The preliminary budget is finalized in April and presented to the City Council in early May. Public hearings are held at the end of May or first part of June, and the budget must be adopted by June 22 each year.

For the 2012 Fiscal Year the budget calendar is as follows:

February 1, 2011 - Revenue projections from Finance.

March 1, 2011 - In-house tentative budget due from departments

March 15, 2011 - Budget Working Draft distributed to City Council.

April 5, 2011 - City Council comments and proposed changes on budget due. Post working draft and Council comments posted on City website.

May 3, 2011 - Public open house on proposed budget 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (council meeting starts late at 7:30 p.m.).

May 10, 2011 - Budget Work Session – 7:30 p.m. report findings of open house and other comments received.

Any additional work sessions as required.

May 17, 2011 - Hold budget public hearing; Adoption of tentative budget by Resolution

June 7, 2011 - Adoption of FY 2011-2012 final budget and FY 2010-2011 budget amendments; adopt resolution setting the annual Certified Property Tax rate OR if needed set public hearing for “Truth in Taxation” in August.

**scheduled subject to change or be postponed at City Council direction.

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Library

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1. How do I log into my account?

To log into your account:
1. Go to http://highland.polarislibrary.com/. Look for the "Patron Account" tab along the top of the page.
2. Enter your barcode number (use either your 14 digits card number with no spaces or the numbers following the 0's (2540000...) barcode number is on the back of your library card.
3. Enter your password (1234 if you have not changed it to something else).

After you log into your account, you can see what items you have checked out, renew items, see your fines, place holds or check on the status of your holds, and turn on your reading history (to help you keep track of what items have been checked out on your account).

Be sure to log out of your account when finished.

2. What is my password?

All library cards are set up with 1234 as the password. If you have changed your password and forgotten it, click on "forgot password" link on the account logon screen and it will be sent to you. Library staff are not able to look up your password but will change it back to 1234 for you.

3. Are you connected to other libraries such as Lehi or American Fork?

At this time we are not connected to those libraries. However, we hope to be in the future. Please be aware that even when we are, there may be additional fees to use those libraries.

If you are looking for a particular item we can also try to borrow it from another library, not necessarily local libraries. This service may take several weeks.

4. I renewed something! Why does do I still have fines on it?

Items are due by the close of business 1 week (videos) or 3 weeks (everything else) from the date they were checked out. If you renew something after the close of business the day it is due, you may be assessed a fine. Fines are $1.00 per day for all videos, recorded books, playaways, etc. and $.10 for books and magazines.

5. Why do I have to have my library card to check things out?

Your library card is your access to valuable library items. In order to maintain the security necessary, we require the library card to check materials out. This protects you from having items being charged to your account in error. Because we feel it is important to treat all patrons equally, there is no way for children to present an alternate ID like adults can.

It will be necessary to present your card at Northern Utah County Cooperative libraries (when we are invited to participate) and for their patrons to present their card to check out materials.

6. Can I request something from another library through you?

Yes, you may request materials from other libraries through us. Simply come into the library and complete an Interlibrary Loan request form and we will see if we can find it.

Please be aware of the following when submitting requests:
* Even if you find it in another library catalog, all our requests are managed by the State Library Division and they randomly ask libraries for the item (they only ask libraries for it if they know if they own it).
* Libraries are often reluctant to loan new or popular items. They prefer to make them available for their own patrons first. Most videos and audio items are easily damaged in the mail so most libraries will be reluctant to loan those types of items as well.
* Items may take a few days to several weeks to get it here. We not only have control over that, we don't know where they are or coming from!

7. Can I request the library purchase something?

You may. Come to the library to fill out a "Suggestion for Purchase" form. All materials that are suggested are evaluated against our Collection Development Policy.

8. Why don’t you let Kindergarteners into your Storytimes?

Storytimes are designed to teach children to appreciate books, libraries and reading. Kindergartners get that training at school. And kindergartners get to participate in our annual Summer reading program while storytime children do not.

9. Why do you require registrations for Storytimes when other libraries don't?

Because we have limited staff and space, we require registrations for storytime. This also allows us to better manage the numbers of children attending strorytime so that it is informative and entertaining.

10. Are you ever going to get any bigger?

We sure hope so. Of course, space costs more money, something we do not have. If you believe the library should grow, make sure you contact your elected officials to voice your support.

11. I can't find an item I had checked out. What do I do?

The best thing to do is to renew the item. You can renew items up to 3 times, as long as they are not on hold for other patrons. That should give you sufficient time to look for the item.

If you still cannot find it we will bill you for it. However, continue to look for it because it is much cheaper to pay the maximum fine ($4.00 for books, $10.00 for videos and audio books) than to pay the replacement price.

12. If we lost or damaged an item can we just replace it?

No. Because we purchase many of our items in a library-quality, we need to replace the item with a similar quality. This allows us to use the item much longer than had we purchased it in a retail version.

Many items look like retail quality when they are actually reinforced bindings, stitching or glued. Sometimes it's just too hard to tell by looking at an item.