Permits & Approvals

We Handle the Details So You Don’t Have To.

Exceptional outdoor spaces don’t begin with construction—they begin with thoughtful planning.

Exceptional outdoor spaces don’t begin with construction, they begin with thoughtful planning and proper approvals.

Depending on the scope of your project, permits, zoning review, engineering, site surveys, soil testing, HOA approvals, or other professional services may be required before construction can begin. These steps are an important part of protecting your investment and ensuring your project is built safely, legally, and in accordance with local requirements.

At Sundial Designs, we can coordinate this process on your behalf, working with trusted surveyors, engineers, architects, consultants, and local municipalities to help keep everything organized and moving forward. Our role is to serve as the central point of coordination, making the permitting and pre-construction process as seamless as possible for you.

Please note that permitting costs and coordination post design are independent services from landscape design and are billed separately. Any third-party consultant fees, municipal permit fees, surveys, engineering, testing, or other required professional services are also separate from the design and installation costs.

Our goal is simple: to make sure the proper steps are taken before construction begins, while saving you the stress of navigating the process alone.

Our Permitting Process

  • Every project begins with understanding the property.

    We review municipal zoning regulations, setbacks, easements, HOA requirements, and any site-specific restrictions that may influence the design before construction documents are prepared.

  • Your landscape is designed with permitting requirements in mind from the very beginning.

    By considering local codes early in the design process, we help reduce revisions later while creating a landscape that is both beautiful and buildable.

  • When additional expertise is required, we assemble the appropriate professionals for your project.

    Depending on the scope, this may include:

    • Licensed Architects

    • Structural Engineers

    • Civil Engineers

    • Licensed General Contractor

    • Surveyors

    • Fabricators

    • Specialty Consultants

    Rather than requiring you to coordinate multiple professionals, Sundial Designs serves as your central point of communication throughout the process.

  • Many municipalities require detailed construction documentation before permits can be issued.

    Depending on your project, this documentation may include:

    • Site Surveys

    • Landscape Plans

    • Architectural Drawings

    • Structural & Civil Engineering Drawings

    • Material Specifications

    • Geotechnical (Soil) Testing

      Many municipalities require a geotechnical report for structural landscape features such as retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, fireplaces, and other permitted improvements.

      A geotechnical engineer evaluates the soil conditions on your property to determine:

      ● Soil composition and bearing capacity

      ● Drainage and groundwater conditions

      This report allows our engineers to design safe, durable structures specifically suited to your site’s conditions.

  • Permit applications are submitted to the appropriate municipality for review.

    Review timelines vary depending on:

    • Municipality

    • Project complexity

    • Seasonal workloads

    • Required departments

    • Requested revisions

    If additional information or revisions are requested, we coordinate with the appropriate consultants to respond efficiently and keep your project moving forward.

  • Once permits have been approved, installation may begin.

    Throughout installation, required inspections are coordinated to help ensure work is completed in accordance with approved plans and applicable building codes.

Start Your Project

What May Require a Permit?

Permit requirements vary by municipality and project scope, but projects commonly requiring permits include:

  • Pergolas & overhead structures

  • Outdoor kitchens

  • Decks

  • Retaining walls

  • Pools & spas

  • Gas line installations

  • Electrical work

Some projects may require multiple permits or approvals from different departments.

  • Plumbing

  • Drainage improvements

  • Structural landscape features

  • Privacy walls & screen structures

  • Detached accessory structures

  • Fire features

  • Major grading or site modifications

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. Many landscape enhancement projects do not require permits. However, structures, utilities, grading, retaining walls, pools, outdoor kitchens, gas lines, electrical work, and other improvements all do. During the design process, we’ll determine what applies to your specific project.

  • Every municipality has its own review process and timeline.

    Simple permits may be approved within a couple of weeks, while larger or more complex projects may take months depending on the scope and municipal review process.

    We’ll keep you informed throughout every stage.

  • We coordinate the permitting process and work alongside licensed architects, engineers, contractors, and specialty consultants to prepare the required documentation. Depending on the municipality and project type, permits may be obtained by the appropriate licensed professional or contractor.

  • Many communities require architectural or landscape approval before construction begins.

    We can prepare presentation drawings and supporting documentation to assist with HOA review and approval.

  • Municipal review comments are a normal part of the permitting process.

    If revisions are requested, we coordinate with the appropriate consultants to update drawings, respond to review comments, and resubmit documentation as needed.

  • Potentially. Because review timelines vary by municipality, permitting may influence the overall construction schedule. We factor these timelines into project planning whenever possible and keep you updated throughout the process.