Building Department Review Times

We have heard your feedback that a focus on improving review timelines for smaller permits should be our focus!  To achieve this, we have reallocated existing Community Development Department staff and re-activated a part-time plans reviewer to focus on smaller permits such as Re-Roofs, IFFRs, EPICs, and minor interior remodels.  These permit types can expect to see a reduced wait time compared to the beginning of the month. A steep increase in the submission of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing permits in October has increased the expected turnaround time for these by a couple of days.
 
Our primary review staff remains focused on a disproportionately large number of complex projects.  In addition, they are working with other City agencies to implement a revised temporary structure policy, which will allow eligible restaurants the opportunity to continue their expanded footprint into the winter months.  To speed up the review of other major projects, several new single-family home permits have been sent out for 3^rd-party review.
 
As always, our staff remains available for pre-submittal meetings, technical questions, and submittal advice with no wait time at all.  In fact, questions directed towards our builderoftheday@gmail.com inbox are up 198% compared to this time last year!
 
Here are the current projected turnaround times from acceptance for review to completing the first review round for all permit types submitted this week, as of October 15, 2020:

• Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Permits: 4-5 Days
• Repairs: 1-2 Weeks
• Additional Information: 2 Weeks
• Re-Roof Permits: 2 Weeks
• IFFR Permits: 2 Weeks
• EPIC Permits: 2 Weeks
• Response to Comments: 7-9 Weeks
• Simple Change Orders: 7-9 Weeks
• New Minor Permits: 7-9 Weeks
• Major Change Orders: 9-11 Weeks
• New Major Permits: 11-13 Weeks

 
Any questions regarding these times can be directed to john.barker@cityofaspen.com

New City of Aspen Sales Tax Collection Portal

The City of Aspen’s Finance is updating the process for businesses to report their monthly sales tax collections and to apply for or update a business license.  The current system will go offline October 26, 2020.
 
Beginning on November 9, 2020 a new system will be online which businesses will have to register for to record all paperless online sales tax collections and business license information.  The new software is provided by MUNIRevs, which many businesses will be familiar with as it is used by other local municipalities such as Snowmass Village, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs.
 
Registration information and more details on the new system are being sent via email and mail to all business contacts in the City of Aspen’s database. The new system will be set up to take tax payments/returns and issue business licenses and vacation rental permits. 
 
Businesses will no longer be able to file via paper forms after October 26.
 
To learn more, go to http://www.cityofaspen.com/1322

To General Contractors in the City of Aspen 

In an effort to continue to adapt to our changing construction environment, a considerable change in practices must be made in preparation of the upcoming change to our weather and associated challenges with hand washing stations.
 
Obviously with the drop in temperatures that we are already experiencing  (As winter and colder temperatures arrive,) maintaining an adequate and functioning hand washing station is becoming more difficult especially in unheated spaces.
 
The Community Liaison team of the Pitkin Co. Public Health Department met to discuss this concern. The agreement was to defer to a simple recommendation that is posted on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration website. The link to the larger document for your review has been provided, but also find the specific recommendation pertinent to this concern.
 
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/construction.html 
 

• Appropriate cleaning practices (i.e., washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or, if soap and water are not immediately available, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and rubbing hands until they are dry; sanitizing all surfaces workers will touch).Keep in mind that it will still be of an advantage to have hand washing stations in heated spaces prior to using hand sanitizer.

• The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and an explanation of how the disease is potentially spread, including the fact that infected people can spread the virus even if they do not have symptoms.
• All policies and procedures that are applicable to the employee's duties as they relate to potential exposures to SARS-CoV-2. It is helpful to provide employees with a written copy of those standard operating procedures.
• Information on appropriate social distancing and hygiene practices, including:
  • Avoiding physical contact with others and maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from customers and other individuals, whenever possible, including inside work trailers.
  • Appropriate cleaning practices (i.e., washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or, if soap and water are not immediately available, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and rubbing hands until they are dry; sanitizing all surfaces workers will touch).
  • The proper way to cover coughs and sneezes following CDC recommendations (i.e., sneezing or coughing into a tissue or into the upper sleeve).
  • Alternatives to shaking hands upon entry, and the importance of workers not touching their own faces (mouth, nose, eyes).
  • The benefits of driving to work sites or parking areas individually, when possible, without passengers or carpools.
• The types, proper use, limitations, location, handling, decontamination, removal, and disposal of any PPE being used.
• The importance of staying home if they are sick.
• Wearing masks over their noses and mouths to prevent them from spreading the virus.
• The need to continue using other normal control measures, including PPE, necessary to protect workers from other job hazards associated with construction activities.
• Using Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleaning chemicals from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus for cleaning frequently touched surfaces like tools, handles, and machines.
• The need to report any safety and health concerns