Building Expansion and Government Regulations

Whenever any structure is expanded today, local governments require permits to be issued before construction begins. There are many different reasons for these permits, and many of them have to do with the impact the new construction will have on the local community. It might not seem that adding a few offices to a commercial development or a new entertainment space to a single family home would affect the entire community, but new regulations concerning the environment now play a large role in government control over this area.

Updating the Tax Rolls

Building expansion is an investment in an existing structure, and tax roles are based on the size and available occupancy of many buildings. In residences, square footage is part of the equation, but the number of bedrooms as well as the number of baths is also part of how communities compute their taxes. Adding another bedroom can signal that there will be more stress placed on the local water system, and communities compensate for it through higher property taxes. In businesses, the equation comes down to how much square footage for work space will be added, the amount of water usage, any environmental concerns due to chemical processes, and they tax accordingly.

Environmental Impacts

Expanding an existing structure often takes away from the green space surrounding it, so government involvement is based on how the local water table will be affected, and they often require environmental impact studies before reaching a decision on permits. Builders must show they are providing adequate compensation for controlling storm water runoff as well as keeping the water table free of contaminants. Builders are required to show they have adequately compensated for these issues.

Trading Spaces

Many homes and commercial buildings require vehicle parking areas, and they take away from the area that can be used to create structures. Depending upon how they are built, they can be used as a runoff area for storm water, and they can be created in ways that will greatly lessen the environmental impact on the water table. For those areas where a deep bed of sands would be required, water filtration media can be used to cut costs as well as lessen the amount of material needed. According to Minerals Marketing, this type of trade can take fifteen percent less material than conventional sand beds while providing the same protection to gain a permit. When the final design is created, parking areas can be the same size while providing enough protection to allow larger structures to be built on the property.

Government regulations have long been a thorn in the side of many builders, but many of today’s regulations are supported wholeheartedly by consumers. They are much more educated in the area of environmental impact, and they want to contribute to keeping the world a healthy place to live. There are many ways to follow the regulations without undue costs and high maintenance, and consumers are often willing to foot the cost of creating a safe and healthy structure that fits into the environmental needs of their community.