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1.
How do I deal with a new, questionable project in my neighborhood?
2. Where do I start with local government to undertake a home improvement project?
3. How can I help my community by becoming an AIA volunteer?
4. How do I become an AIA member?
1. How do I deal with a new, questionable project in my neighborhood?
What do you do, faced with the possibility of a new structure abutting your property line, an unusually tall fence, or an unsightly storage vehicle that stays parked night after night on your street?
The County number to call for code compliance issues is 925-335-1171, the Building Inspection Department. But if you want to discuss an issue with someone before you report it to the County, Jack Behseresht, the AIA Compliance Advisor, is ready to listen. If you wish, he will even make the referral to the County for you, keeping your identity anonymous.
Contra Costa zoning and building codes govern building construction in Alamo. Any deviation from these codes is out of compliance unless it is approved by the County Planning Department as a variance or in a similar development review procedure. But while there are no variances to the building code, code compliance is often a judgment call that is made by the building official.
Most code compliance issues can be avoided before a project is started if the homeowner applies for a building permit or calls the County Planning Department at 925-335-1210 and talks to a planner. AIA recommends that you do not rely exclusively on the advice of a contractor to decide if your building plans are in or out of compliance with County code.
2. Where do I start with local government to undertake a home improvement project?
Contra Costa County Building Department
The Building Department requires Alamo residents to contact the Department to review project details before construction begins.
Typically, the property owner has detailed drawings of the project and is able to meet directly with a staff member to review the project and County requirements.
Upon satisfactory completion of the review, the County issues a building permit for the project, performs regular inspections for compliance, and upon construction completion, performs a final inspection/review.
To contact the Building Department, call (925) 646-4108 for inspection, or 335-1360 for application and permit.
Contra Costa County Community Development (Planning)
Building applicants also must inquire with and, if necessary, apply to the Community Development Department
Should a proposed project be unable to meet County requirements, be more complex or classified by type that requires a more detailed review, the Building Department will refer the applicant to the Development (Planning) Department for an in-depth, thorough review including public meeting presentation, input and analysis.
Following this review, the Planning Department makes a recommendation to the County Zoning Administrator for determination.
Certain projects, either because of their classification, or because the determination is appealed, proceed with the public meeting review process to the San Ramon Valley Regional Planning Commission and, possibly, to the County Board of Supervisors.
To contact the Community Development Department, call (925) 335-1290 for informaton, or 335-1210 for answer to a specific question about an existing project, or 335-1360 for application and permit.
Contra Costa County Code Compliance
Whenever there is a question about the use of property and its compliance with the County Code, along with conditions that are part of any building permits granted for the property, an inspector will visit the property to determine code compliance. The County Code Compliance Department is part of the County Building Department, and the county inspector can issue a citation or have other corrective action taken should a problem exist.
To contact the Code Compliance Department call (925) 335-1111.
Contra Costa County Public Works Department
Questions about infrastructure, roadways, and other publicly owned areas are directed to the County Public Works Department.
Alamo residents need to be aware that Alamo roads, which are owned by Contra Costa County, are subject to unilateral regional actions of the County and -- with permission of the County -- cities and towns in the county. Danville Boulevard, for instance, has been designated a route of Regional Significance by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, which is comprised of elected representatives of the County and all incorporated cities and towns in the county.
Roadway access points serving downtown Alamo, traffic lights, pedestrian walkways, bicycle lanes, and other Alamo road improvements all fall under jurisdiction of the County Public Works Department.
To contact the Public Works Department, call (925) 313-2000 for information, 313-2320 for construction, 313-2370 for engineering, and 313-2345 for transportation.
3. How do I help my community by becoming an AIA volunteer?
Please contact us if you are interested in helping your community.
AIA seeks volunteers to learn about government entities that make official decisions
about Alamo roads
Would you like to join with other AIA volunteers in following the decisions of four groups of elected officials that make decisions about Alamo's roads?
 Your role would be to receive an agenda for a monthly meeting of one of these groups -- the TWIC, the SWAT, the CCTA, or the TVTC -- and to review it for agenda items that affect Alamo. If you saw such an item, you would attend the meeting, or alternate attendance with another AIA volunteer, and report decisions made in the meeting to your fellow volunteers.
> Learn how you can help your community
4. How do I become an AIA member?
AIA Membership
The AIA is your voice in the process that governs our community. The AIA is self-supporting through its membership. If you would like to support our efforts, please help
us increase our effectiveness by joining the AIA.
A one-year membership in the AIA is currently $50 per household. As a member you will receive all our newsletters and agendas. We will also keep you informed about current issues and our upcoming hearings and meetings.
Please complete the PDF Version of the AIA Membership Form 2010-2011 and mail to: Alamo Improvement Association P.O. Box 156 Alamo, CA 94507
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