Sandpoint launches use permit program

SANDPOINT — The city is set to issue use permits for non-home-based businesses with locations within city limits.

“This new permitting program increases public safety by reducing potential hazards and improves efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response by first responders,” City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton said in a press release. “It also enables property owners to show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met — as demonstrated by code officials’ carefully maintained records — which gives owners a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.”

Stapleton said a use permit is a public statement of the approved occupant load, terms of use, and contains the signatures from the relevant city officials who have inspected and approved the building for use by the business.

“Building and fire codes outline the rules and requirements property owners and businesses need to accommodate for specific uses,” said Sandpoint Building Official Christine Kuhlman. “For example, if the building is an assembly use, such as a restaurant, bar or theater, it would likely need more than one exit, as well as a certain style of exit to protect the public in case of an emergency.”

Kuhlman said the city is obligated by law to verify appropriate use. “Above and beyond that, we care about the community — that is why we wanted to do something visible,” she added.

Crews with Selkirk Fire, an entity created under a joint powers agreement between the city of Sandpoint, Westside and Sagle Fire Districts, began performing on-site inspections of non-home-based businesses within the city of Sandpoint two years ago to look for obvious fire hazards that could otherwise be prevented.

Stapleton said the inspections also allow crews to see a layout of the buildings and create a map and pre-plans, which makes a big difference in case of fire because many of the buildings, especially in the downtown core, are interconnected.

These efforts, as well as other improvements, including enhanced training, the addition of a resident station in Dover and increased equipment and crew support from the agencies participating in Selkirk Fire, have resulted in a reduction of the Insurance Services Office rating for the city from a 4 to a 3.

“The lower the ISO rating, the better, as this has the potential to lower insurance rates for businesses and residential homeowners within the city of Sandpoint,” noted Selkirk Fire Chief Dale Hopkins at his presentation to the Sandpoint City Council on March 4.

Inspections under the use program will be expanded this year to include inspectors from the city’s Building & Planning service group. All licensed businesses operating outside of private residences within city limits will be inspected this year and issued a use permit.

Selkirk crews began their annual inspections earlier this year and completed 71 inspections to-date, city officials said in the press release. Officials from the city’s building and planning service group will follow-up with their own inspections at those businesses this month and use permits will be issued following the inspections. Throughout the rest of the year, joint inspections will be performed at the remaining 700-plus licensed businesses which meet the program criteria.

Use permits will be issued to the businesses for public display after the inspections have been completed and any significant safety hazards identified have been mitigated. In addition, digital maps of the building and business layouts will be created and entered into the city’s GIS mapping system where they will be available to police, fire and other first responders to inform response efforts in the event of an emergency.

“The use permit program and specifically digital maps and layouts of the businesses in our GIS system is a significant benefit to officer and public safety,” said Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon. “If an officer has knowledge of a business’ layout when responding to a call for service for an open door, they can plan an effective approach and how best to search the building.”

All of the inspections will be performed as part of Sandpoint’s regular business licensing program as a way to “catch up” existing licensed businesses. Larger assembly uses such as theaters, schools, restaurants, etc. will be prioritized for scheduling first.

Any new non-home-based businesses located within Sandpoint city limits, including those who do not have a current business license effective April 1, 2020, will be required to apply for a $25 use permit in addition to the business license fee. Upon receipt of the application, the business owner will be contacted by a city official in fire or building and planning to conduct a joint inspection.

City officials said the business license and use permit will be issued together so new businesses are highly encouraged to submit their applications in advance of their intended opening date. Business license applications are available at www.sandpointidaho.gov/doing-business/business-license. They will direct appropriate applicants to the use permit as well.

At the end of 2019, there were approximately 763 licensed non-home-based businesses operating within Sandpoint city limits. Only 85 of those had not renewed their license as of March 10, 2020.

Businesses that change locations are required to notify the city of the change for their business license and will need to apply for a use permit for the new location.

Selkirk Fire crews will continue with live inspections every year on all Assembly Group A occupancies, which includes the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions; recreation, food or drink consumption or awaiting transportation. In addition, they will annually inspect all businesses that store or work with hazardous materials.

All other non-home-based businesses located in the city will be inspected on a rotating three-year cycle. During the two years the inspection is not required, the business will receive a self-certification form in conjunction with its business license renewal. There will be no fee associated with the self-certification or inspections unless the business has moved to a new location.