The Village of Maple Bluff Building Board is comprised of appointed and elected residents tasked with reviewing building and remodeling projects that impact the exterior appearance of properties within the Village of Maple Bluff. The Board’s design review process focuses on specific criteria established within village ordinances and must be performed before a permit can be issued. Prior to Building Board consideration, projects are reviewed by village staff and consultants to ensure compliance with zoning ordinances and assess potential impact on village infrastructure. As such, materials are to be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting (three weeks for “major changes”) and only complete applications will be routed for Building Board review.

Not all building and exterior remodeling projects require Building Board approval – some minor changes may be “administratively approved” while interior work may simply require Building Inspector review prior to permit issuance. To determine what approvals your project requires, we ask that you submit the appropriate form and supplemental documentation for evaluation to buildingboard@villageofmaplebluff.com:

• Simple project or minor changes should complete the Single Stage Application Form and include all supporting documentation. These projects do not include new homes or floor area expansions of 50% or more.
• Major changes that include new homes or floor area expansions of 50% or more should complete the Major Change Initial Application Form. These projects require multiple stages of review (see Major Change Final Application Form), massing studies (see Massing Study Information), and may include demolitions as well (see Demolition Form).
• Projects that include the placement of a sign should complete the appropriate sections of the General Application Form.
• Projects including a demolition, removal, or movement of any building or part of a building of 200 square feet or greater will also need a demolition permit.  Submit a Demolition Form and supporting documentation with your Major Change Final Application Form (or later with Village staff agreement).

Once received, your project will be routed to appropriate staff for review. Staff will contact you directly if additional materials or clarifying information is necessary, but we respectfully ask that applications be detailed and complete to expedite the review process. Staff will notify you approximately one week prior to the Building Board meeting if your project is considered complete and on the agenda. Projects must be presented by either the property owner or their representative to be considered by the Board and, pending an approval decision, staff will forward the determination to the Building Inspector for permit processing and issuance.

Once you obtain design approval from the Building Board or Zoning Administrator, and make any required changes, you may submit a Building Permit Application and associated materials to the Building Inspector.  If your approval requires the burying of overhead power and communication lines, you will also be required to complete an Agreement to Place Utility Wires Underground.