To real estate agent Larry Tollen, getting a permit for a home renovation in Chapel Hill is always a new experience.
And Tollen is a veteran home renovator.
“Every time I have to get something permitted, I get the impression that no one has ever done a renovation before,” he said. “It’s like the process is being designed for you from scratch every time.”
Tollen is not the only local realtor concerned with the permitting process.
Desiree Goldman, a member of the Greater Chapel Hill Association of Realtors, said the association discussed the slow and expensive process at a recent meeting.
Chapel Hill is low on residential land development — with only 2 percent of its available residential land still sitting empty — and the average age of homes in the area is rising. Goldman said people generally have to renovate older homes before putting them on the market.
For those renovations in a residential area that include additions, alterations, kitchen remodelings and structural work such as pool additions and roof replacements, the town requires a permit from the planning department.
Cosmetic work that costs less than $5,000 does not require a permit.
The permitting application includes a project description, zoning and area information and mechanical and construction details.