Do you have a question for Dr Diamond?
Dear Dr. Diamond,
Dear Dr. Diamond,
Q:--Because of the economic difficulties and the increased cost of the yearly taxes, my husband and I have decided to rent our lake residence out for a few weeks this summer. How do I go about doing this? Are permits required? Please help us soon, we need the MONEY!!!
A:--Dr. Diamond went to a Planning Commission meeting and found out some pertinent information for you.
In order to rent out your lake residence for a week or weekend here and there, you must apply for a conditional use permit from Pend Oreille County. It seems that in order to obtain the permit you must have approval from the Sewer & Water District as well as others. Contact the Community Development Department for specifics on this application.
Don’t forget that you will be earning income, therefore taxes are due. There is a hotel/motel tax besides your personal income tax and sales tax.
If you are building additional buildings on your property to accommodate guests, remember the building requirements. Sheds are for storage only and cannot be occupied even as sleeping quarters without a conditional use permit. Sheds 200 square ft. in size do not require a permit but they must still meet electrical inspections and all setback requirements which are:
Q: The other day when I called Diamond Lake Water & Sewer Dept. to transfer my water bill I was told that there are new requirements for me to do that. What is going on?
A: The District has developed an Identity Theft Prevention Program called the Red Flag Rule. This is a 6 page document with guidelines helping to prevent identity theft with helps in identification of suspicious documents and information; suspicious activity and use of an account; and preventing and mitigating identity theft.
On page 4, Detecting Red Flags, B. Existing accounts it states: “In order to detect any of the Red Flags identified above for an existing account, District personnel will take the following steps to monitor transactions with an account: Detect Red Flags 1. Verify the identification of customers if they request information (in person, via telephone, via facsimile, via email); 2. Verify the validity of requests to change billing addresses; and 3. Verify changes in banking information given for billing and payment purposes.”
If you contact Shawnee at the office 9 am – 1 pm she will take care of any problem with your transfer or bill and verify your information.
QUESTION: IS IT OKAY TO PUT BUOYS OUT TO ALERT BOATERS OF MY DOCK?
ANSWER: YOU NEED TO HAVE A PERMIT IN ORDER TO PUT A BUOY OUT.
QUESTION: WHAT IS THE SPEED LIMIT FOR BOATS ON THE LAKE?
ANSWER: THE MAXIMUM SPEED IS 45 MPH ON THE LAKE.
QUESTION: WHO REGULATES THE WATER ACTIVITY AND RULES ON THE LAKE?
ANSWER: THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS & WDFW.
QUESTION: Could you please tell me how to purchase a key to the private beach?
ANSWER: Diamond Lake has no public beaches. Every lot is privately owned. The only public access is to the boat launch which is governed by WDFW regulations. Willow Cove and The Diamond Lake Beach club are both a part of individual homeowner's associations and open only to members who own secondary lots with beach access rights included in the ownership. The following info tells you who is able to use the beach area you are referring to:
Diamond Lake Beach Club Home Owners Association (DL Beach Club)
Purpose:
Homeowners association for people who own property in Poirer Addition to Sunset Beach, Diamond Heights,Diamond Heights First Addition, and South Shore Estates in Pend Oreille County, Washington State. Charged with maintaining the common areas within for the use and benefit of the owners who make up the association.