This page is intended to help builders / homeowners better understand what is involved in developing property within the Salton Community Services District boundaries.

These are only general guidelines and the appropriate agencies should be contacted for a more detailed description of what is required to successfully complete a project.

We have made every attempt at providing accurate and complete information. If you find that any of this information is all but forthright and correct then please feel free to let us know by going to the feedback page and dropping us a line. Thank You.

1. Architectural Review
2. Water
3. Sewer
4. Electricity
5. Telephone
6. Schools
7. Refuse Disposal
8. Driveways
9. Building Permits

Where To Build

When deciding where on your property to put your Residence / Building you’ll need to take into account several matters. First you’ll need to know where your property lines are. The easiest and safest way to do this is to hire a professional surveyor. The going price is about $500 for a single residential lot. The yellow pages has a list of several companies that service this area.

Once you know where your property lines are you’ll need to take into consideration the "setbacks" that are dictated by the Imperial County Building Department and the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R’s) of your particular tract. A "setback" is the distance from a property line in which no permanent structure can be built. Check your tracts CC&R’s for its’ setback requirements and compare them to those of the County Building Department which are listed below. The general rule of thumb is that if the requirements of the County Building Department are different than the CC&R’s of your tract then the more restrictive requirement would apply.   If you do not have a copy of your CC&R's you can purchase photocopies of them at the district office.   You will need to know your "tract" number to get the appropriate CC&R's, the number should be in your escrow papers or legal description of the property.

Although fencing is allowed within your "setbacks" there are regulations regarding fence heights and utility easements that must be adhered to. Verify these requirements with the Building Department and your tracts CC&R’s.  

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Before a county building permit can be issued an Architectural Review application must be submitted approving the layout of your project as well as the size and height of the building. Other issues such as State compliance of any manufactured / mobile home to be installed is reviewed. Adherence to the CC&R’s and other relevant regulations and ordinances are also taken into consideration.

An Architectural  Review application can be picked up at the SCSD office or downloaded  here . When submitting the application a $50 non-refundable fee is assessed. You will also be required to submit a plot plan showing the layout of your project when submitting the review application.  

Water

 Domestic water is provided by the Coachella Valley Water District. Their water lines are already installed in the easements at either the rear or front of the property depending on what tract you live in. The developer is responsible for bringing the building water line from the building to the property line of the water easement.   The cost for a water meter installed up to the property line is around $10,000, which includes parts and labor.

The water provided by CVWD in this area comes from an underground aquifer and meets or exceeds all State and Federal standards. 

CVWD's website has statistics that you can view regarding water quality.

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Sewer

Sewer service is provided by the Salton Community Services District. Most of the tracts in the district already have the main sewer lines installed at either the rear or front of the property in the same easement as is the water line. The developer is responsible for bringing the building sewer line from the building to the property line of the sewer easement. Starting July 1st, 2007 a connection fee of $2,700 plus a capacity fee of $1,000 will be assessed per residence, for most tracts. The disposal fee is currently $280 per year and it appears on your yearly County Property Tax bill.

All new construction is required by law to tie into a community sewage disposal system. No septic systems are permitted.

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Electricity

Electrical service is provided by the Imperial Irrigation District (IID). Call IID for a list of the current installation charges.

Even though IID may run power up to the building / temporary power panel right away, it doesn’t mean they can simply turn on the electricity. The Building Department must inspect the installation and issue a "blue tag" before IID will energize anything.

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Telephone

Telephone service in this area is provided by Verizon. Call Verizon for a list of the current installation charges.

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Schools

Public education is provided by the Coachella Valley Unified School District. Per California law a developer fee is assessed on new construction to help fund the school district that is impacted by the development. The amount of the assessment for a residence is based upon the total square footage of that residence. The current rate is $3.75 per square foot.

The County Building Department has a form on which they will verify the square footage of the proposed residence. You will need to take this form with you when you go to the school district office to pay the assessment.

The Building Department cannot, by law, issue a building permit until this fee is paid in full.

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Refuse Disposal

The County of Imperial operates a landfill just outside of the district boundaries. This is paid for through your property taxes.

Optional curbside pickup can be subscribed to from the company of Burrtec.   As of July 1st, 2008 the rate for curbside pick-up is $85.72  for a 4 month period.

New California State laws have gone into effect that prohibit the burning of any and all household wastes.

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Driveway Easements

The Imperial County Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining the streets within the district. In order to have legal access from the street to your residence an encroachment permit must be obtained from Public Works. An administrative fee of about $90 is assessed when applying for this encroachment permit. The property owner will be solely responsible for any costs associated with constructing and maintaining any approved driveway.

The County Building Department will not issue a building permit unless there is legal access to the project.

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Building Permits

 The Imperial County Building / Planning Department is the controlling legal authority for construction in this unincorporated part of the County. Some of the requirements for obtaining a building permit are listed below.

 1.  Wet signed engineered blueprints (or legible building plans if an owner built single family residence of a standard construction type is to be built).

 2.  An Approved Architectural Review Form from the Salton Community Services District Architectural Committee.

3.  Verification that the Coachella Valley Unified School District has received all special assessment fees due.

4.  An Encroachment Permit from the Imperial County Department of Public Works.

5.  A Properly filled out Building Permit Application and all pertinent additional forms from the Imperial County Building / Planning Department.

6.  Energy Calculations. Energy Calculations verify that your project is in line with state and local laws in regards to energy conservation criteria. These calculations are obtained by the project owner / builder from a State licensed engineer at a cost of several hundred dollars.

7.  Proof of State Compliance (for manufactured / mobile homes).

 The preceding information is intended as a guide only. Contact the appropriate agencies for specific facts and figures.

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