[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

I've had trouble finding this out on the net, so I hope you won't mind helping me. In Australia, STCA means "subject to council approval", and is often used for "renovator's delight" sales properties,  aka houses that need a lot of work, or are best knocked down completely before a total rebuild. Is this term also used in the USA? Thanks in advance.
PS It would also be good to know what state you are in - maybe it's used in some states and not others?

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,004 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

I've never heard the term or seen it used on HGTV. Here, permits are required for building and certain renovations, anything that changes the exterior footprint. I'm not actually in the real estate field and I am in NY. One thing I am certain of is that not every locale in the US has a Town Council and the state approves construction plans. Maybe the following will help: https://www.dos.ny.gov/DCEA/pdf/BuildingPermitApp301.pdf.

[dewsanddamps Posts: 2,302 Status: Offline]

I've never heard it (Midwest)--but I don't do a lot of real estate stuff. I think we'd be more likely to talk about zoning laws or permits (which I believe are filed with the town).

[David Wright Posts: 1,015 Status: Offline Tell me that again.]

A quick check of STAC and realty only shows Aussie sites, which makes it a pretty safe bet it's only used in Australia.

I think most cities/regions in the U.S. and Canada work the same. An application is put into the planning and development department, which then determines if special requirements are necessary (e.g. knob and tube wiring/asbestos removed). Where I live (near Toronto), council doesn't intercede unless neighbours complain. Which happened once when the city planners approved a "monster house" on a small lot.

[Pons Posts: 2,465 Status: Offline]

I live in California and have done multiple renovations and new construction over the years. One of my daughters and her husband live in Utah and build a new house about every five years. We have all been our own contractors. Our experiences have been the same: submit your plans to the city for approval and then pull permits. STCA is not a term that ever surfaces.

I have a good friend who lived in London for six years. We visited her a couple of times, and she often said things like, "Because we pay our council dues, we can do this - or that - or whatever." I'm still not sure what that council entity is, but I don't think we have an equivalent here. Perhaps it's a matter of different terms for the same sort of government agency. I am sure, though, that we haven't seen STCA in any of our building adventures. 

[Vijaya Posts: 7,168 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Julie, I've never heard this term but then again, I don't know real estate language. We have done big landscaping projects and they have to be approved by the local councils--aesthetic impact, environmental, etc. I think if you're writing for kids about this, you want to say something about experts evaluating impact on the environment, etc.

[andracill Posts: 5,701 Status: Offline Worlds within...screaming to get out! WWW]

My husband's a real estate appraiser, and my dad was a real estate broker (in Colorado) -- neither ever used the term. As others have said, I think it's Australia only.

[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

Thanks very much for your help, everyone. It has been very useful.

[malia-maunakea Posts: 15 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Not sure if this could help, but in Colorado, USA they use terms like "scraper" for a house that needs to be completely knocked down/scraped or "fix and flip" or even the more colorful "lipstick on a pig" (describing cosmetic updates that have been made to a scraper).

[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

Not sure if this could help, but in Colorado, USA they use terms like "scraper" for a house that needs to be completely knocked down/scraped or "fix and flip" or even the more colorful "lipstick on a pig" (describing cosmetic updates that have been made to a scraper).

That could be useful! Thanks very much, Malia.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,004 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

I think fixer upper is a pretty common term, with a TV show by the same name. Those houses will make code for the most part, but need serious work.

[christripp Posts: 1,211 Status: Offline WWW]

Just agreeing it's not a term (or need) used in North America. Permits for renovations or demolition, rebuilding, is what is needed and unless the house is deemed Heritage, either because it's VERY old or special in some way (George Washington slept here , all you need are an approved set of plans for the construction. But I've heard STCA used many times on numerous TV shows coming out of the UK, "location, location, location" & "a place in the country".

[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

Fantastic. Thanks, all! You've been very helpful.