The Planning Office and the Office of Development Services have been working with community representatives to develop a revised, updated definition of 'rebuild' as a means of categorizing residential alteration projects. On August 10, 2010, the Board of Supervisors adopted the revised ordinance, which becomes effective on October 1, 2010.

For a given project, a 'rebuild' classification means the proposed alterations are significant enough to treat the project as a new residence. It is a factor in determining the applicability of certain requirements and procedures, including: building site approval, city annexation, green building requirements, water-efficient landscaping requirements, and floodplain management standards.

The revised ‘rebuild’ definition is based on the magnitude of overall structural changes to foundation, walls, and roof. There are also new application submittal and process changes involved. 

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