This is probably the most frustrating part of the entire process. It's the "wait" part.
The Regulatory Authorities that review the permits do a meticulous job. Why? They must ensure that the Designer did a thorough job in the design, and that the design complies with 30 TAC Chapter 285 of the State Code.
The Regulatory Authority does the process in several steps:
Send an inspector to the site, to make sure the soil profile holes are visible, and that the design submitted matches actual field conditions. After the site visit, the plan reviewer gets comments back from the site inspector. If there are some issues the Plan Reviewer thinks should be addressed, the plans are either returned to the Designer, asking for the concerns to be addressed, OR the design is reviewed, and the technical aspects of the calculations are reviewed. Comments are then returned to the Designer for clarification. The Regulatory Authority has up to 30 days to complete this step. If clarifications are needed, the Designer must address them, in writing, to the Regulatory Authority. Generally, if the design has been reviewed, with only minor clarifications needed, then the design is approved, and a Permit to Construct is issued. Generally, a Site Developement Permit must also be requested simultaneously with on Onsite Sewage Facilities (OSSF) permit. This is normally done in the same office, in the same place. HOWEVER, if you are requesting an OSSF permit from LCRA, you must also get the Site Development permit from the appropriate County. This is further complicated by the fact that you must get a Flood Plain determination letter from the appropriate County BEFORE you can turn in your permit application to LCRA.
The Regulatory Authorities are generally swamped with applications. For instance, Central Texas is growing rapidly, but the County folks can't hire staff quickly enough, as they are on a yearly budget cycle, and must get staffing requests approved months in advance. By the time they are able to hire someone, they're already behind in staffing needs again. So don't take out your frustration on the County!!!
Thanks for your patience!!
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