New Building Department Protocol for Permit Applications and Inspections 
During Marin County Shelter in Place Order
Updated March 31, 2020

In response to the Marin County Shelter in Place Order (“Order”) issued by the Marin County Health Officer on March 31, 2020, the Town of Corte Madera’s Building Department has developed the following protocols that will be implemented immediately in order to protect public health and safety.  The Town recommends you familiarize yourself with the provisions of the Order, which can be accessed via the following link: bit.ly/MCSIPNEW.  The intent of this Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible. 

If you have a building permit pending or active with the Town’s Building Department, or if you plan to submit for building permit, these new protocols may affect your ability to begin or continue construction activities at this time.

New Corte Madera Building Department Protocols as of March 31, 2020 are as follows:

• The Town will continue to accept new building permit applications and will review completed applications, including performing requisite plan checks. All application submittals will be processed electronically. Please review new submittal requirements here.
• The Town may issue building permits, but will only authorize construction for specific construction activities consistent with the purpose and intent of the Order and as defined in Section 13(f)(v).  Construction work must be necessary for the provision of continued life, health and/or safety to the extent such construction cannot reasonably be delayed as determined by the Town’s Building Official or Director of Planning and Building.  Construction that increases the local supply of deed-restricted affordable housing may also be issued building permits.
• The Town will provide inspections only for specific construction activities consistent with the purpose and intent of the Order and as defined in Section 13(f)(v).  Construction work must be necessary for the provision of continued life, health and/or safety to the extent such construction cannot reasonably be delayed as determined by the Town’s Building Official or Director of Planning and Building.  Inspections related to construction that increases the local supply of deed-restricted affordable housing may also be issued building permits.
• Town inspectors will not be permitted to conduct inspections if they cannot comply with social distancing requirements or otherwise cannot safely conduct inspections.  The Town’s Building Official has authorized Town building inspectors to make such determinations at their sole discretion.
• The Town will not provide inspections for construction activities with active building permits that are deemed non-essential.  Upon knowledge of non-essential construction activity, the Town will notify the permit applicant and/or property owner that such work is not exempted from the Order and will notify appropriate enforcement agencies if work does not immediately stop.
• The expiration date of any active building permits will be extended by the length of time that the Marin County Shelter in Place Order is effective.

Please contact the Building Department with any questions regarding these new protocols at 415-927-5062, buildingpermit@tcmmail.org or use our website for information on how to access Building Department services during this time. Note these protocols are subject to change.

When emailing the Building Department, please be aware that these unprecedented times have caused our Building Department to shift from an in-person submittal, to a newly established electronic submittal process. During this time, we are being inundated with emails and phone calls concerning the permit process and the status of applications.  We are working hard to develop a process to issue permits, while at the same time evaluating which projects are deemed essential as defined in the Order.  Please consider the nature of your inquiry, and whether it is essential construction as defined in the Order. Staff will continue to respond to emails and phone calls as soon as possible. We request your patience as we continue to navigate through these challenging times. Staff has received your email and is working as quickly as possible to provide a response. 

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this challenging time. We are hopeful we can resume regular operations and facilitate all construction projects in the near future. Read the previous letter to current permit applicants dated March 18, 2020.  Read the updated memorandum dated March 31, 2020.