Building at Lake Tahoe:
To build at Lake Tahoe, you need:
1) An explanation of IPES. IPES stands for Individual Parcel Evaluation Score that consists of 10 factors including distance from lake, erosion control measures that have been implemented in the surrounding area, slope of lot, type of soil, percolation of the soil, how well the lot can revegetate, etc. This determines the IPES score and currently in Placer Cty. the minimum IPES score needed to build is 726. Different counties have different minimum IPES scores and the scoring can adjust over the years downwards. You can buy up IPES points if the lot has a score within 10% of the “buildable” IPES score, i.e. within 72 points of 726. The cost per point is $672 per point.
2) As to coverage, three of the IPES factors using a complicated formula determine the “allowable coverage” for building on a lot. Again, there is a provision to buy up coverage to a maximum of 20% of the lot area not within a stream environment zone. Cost for such coverage runs between $10 to $20 per square foot. Any area in a “stream environment zone” gets zero coverage and usually cannot be disturbed.
3) To build, once you get a “buildable” IPES score and enough coverage to build your dream home, you have to have plans designed to fit, engineered and then submitted to Placer Cty. Currently, Placer Cty gets 45 allocations this year. In the past, there hasn’t been any waiting period for getting an allocation but I would have to check to see if that is the case this year. Placer County and El Dorado County have had a waiting lists in the past but not currently.
This gives you a general idea of the constrains for building in Tahoe. There are, however, some exceptions and caveats depending on the specific property and future rules by the governing agencies.