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Second Story Review Description: The process of adding on a second story to a single-family home, remodeling an existing two-story home, or building a new two-story residence on a vacant parcel, requires review and approval by the Planning Division prior to submitting for a building permit. What is a Second Story Review? New homes in established neighborhoods and remodel/additions adding or expanding a second story usually require Second-Story Review to be completed before approval of a building permit. The Second-Story Review is a review of a new two-story home or second story addition to an existing home to consider the impact of the new home or second story addition on the privacy, massing and solar access of neighboring residences. Certain projects may be exempt from this review. If you are unsure if a Second-Story Review is required for your project, contact the Planning Division by calling [PHONE REDACTED] or visiting the Planning Division office (you may wish to make an appointment), 1010 Tenth Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 3300, Modesto, CA 95353. Application Process: 1. Pre-Application Meeting Although not required, it is a good idea to meet with Planning Division staff prior to submitting a formal application for Second Story Review, so that appropriate measures can be incorporated into the design to prevent privacy or massing issues with neighboring residents. If you wish to have a pre-application meeting, please contact the Planning Division at (209) 577-5267 to set up an appointment. 2. Submit Application Applications for Second Story Review must include the following: Completed Administrative Application form signed by the property owner(s). Application fee (refer to fee schedule) 2 copies of site plan, floor plans, and elevations. Site plans and elevations should clearly identify all new and existing construction particularly all new second story windows and balconies. Supplemental materials, such as photographs, which help provide additional information to the decision making body, may also be required. Application forms and filing fees are available at http://www.modestogov.com/1561/Planning-Forms-and- Applications. 3. Project Review A project planner will be assigned to process the application. After determining that the application is complete, the project planner will evaluate the proposal for conformance with the Neighborhood Compatibility Guidelines (available at: http://www.modestogov.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1374). The review is focused on three issues: Potential views to neighboring property owner private rear yard areas. ---PAGE BREAK--- Massing of the proposed second story in relation to neighboring residences. Potential for blocking solar access or shading of rear-yard pools on neighboring properties. If any issues with the above criteria are found, the project planner will work with the applicant and their designer to resolve these issues. 4. Surrounding Property Owner Notification Once an application has been files, a letter will be sent to property owners within 150 feet of the application notifying them of the proposed second story and providing them the opportunity to view the plans and indicate any concerns with the proposal. 5. Approval and Appeal Procedures Once the project planner has determined that the proposed second story is consistent with the Neighborhood Compatibility Guidelines, an Approval Certificate will be issued, and the neighboring property owners within 150 feet will be notified of the approval and given the opportunity to appeal the decision. Appeals must be filed within 15 days of the approval. If no appeal is filed within 15 days, then the approval stands and the applicant can seek a building permit. If an appeal is filed within 15 days, then the appeal will be heard by the City’s Board of Zoning Adjustment (typically within 30-60 days from the date of the appeal), and no building permit can be issued until the appeal has run it’s course. If you have questions about any of this, please contact the Planning Division at (209) 577-5287, or stop by our offices at 1010 Tenth Street, Suite 3300. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.