Basic Use

Purpose

The purpose of a basic use permit (BUP) is to ensure compliance with the land development regulations (LDRs) for uses that are compatible with the zone in which they are proposed.

When Is This Required?

Section 6.1.1 of the LDRs contains the Use Schedule for all zones. Allowed uses that require a Basic Use Permit are denoted with a “B.” You can also determine whether a Basic Use Permit is required by referencing Subsection C of the applicable zone.

A Basic Use Permit is required in the following instances:

• Accessory Uses Including Accessory Residential Units
• Business License (New or Change of Use)
• Change of Use
  • Examples: Change From Office to Restaurant
• Expansion of Existing Use
  • Example: Existing Restaurant Adds 400 Square Feet
• Most New Uses
• Short-Term Rental (Where Allowed)
• Temporary Uses

Process

• How Long: Up to 45 days after application deemed sufficient
• Who Decides:
  • Final Decision: Planning Director

View an info-graphic (PNG) detailing the basic use permitting process.

Helpful Tips

• The primary purpose of a BUP is for the town to check that the intended use meets parking, employee housing, and building code standards. Please provide relevant information for these standards in your application.
• Your project will be reviewed by several departments in addition to Planning, so when drafting your project description/narrative please provide as much detail pertaining to existing site conditions (i.e. lot size, existing development, etc.) and proposed physical changes (i.e. scale of development, building height, FAR, etc.). 
• Provide a complete LDR compliance table which addresses how your project complies with each item in the applicable zone. For aspects that the project may be existing nonconforming, the table should indicate which of those items are nonconforming and either how you are exempt from compliance or how you intend to address the nonconformance.
• Affordable Housing Calculation Worksheet.
• Housing Mitigation Plan Checklist (PDF)
• When submitting plans (i.e. site plans, floor plans and elevations), be sure that all plans are dimensioned and to-scale.
• The Notarized Letter of Authorization is needed when the Applicant is not the the owner of the property.