Scale of Permanence Design Checklist
Adapted from P.A. Yeomans by Dave Jacke
List assembled by Burlington Permaculture and edited by Christopher Wegweiser
Climate
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sun exposure and angles
wind: damaging, desirable, directions
annual precipitation and seasonal distribution
extreme weather potential: storms, hail, frost, humidity, wind
temperatures - max/min
Landform
 slope
 aspect (westerly aspect or west-facing slope)
Water
 existing sources of supply: location, quantity, quality, dependability, sustainability
 potential pollution sources: road runoff, chemical runoff from neighbors, etc.
 flooding, ponding and puddling areas
 possible sources of supply: location, quantity, quality, dependability, sustainability, cost to
develop
 location of all on-site and nearby off-site culverts, wells, water lines, sewage lines, septic
systems, old wells, roof runoff patterns, gutters and downspouts
Legislation
 property lines
 environmental and other legal limits (e.g. wetlands regulations, zoning regulations, building
setbacks)
 applications and fees
o electricity
o ponds
o animal husbandry
o compost
o sales of produce
o buildings
o sewers
o water
Access/Circulation
 activity nodes, storage areas
 pedestrian, bike, cart and vehicle access points, frequency of traffic, heavy or light vehicles,
current and potential patterns
 material flows: mulch, compost, produce, firewood, laundry, etc.
Resources within and outside the boundaries of the land
 hospitals, schools, shops, recycling centers, free plant & seed sources, sand, gravel, timber,
mulch, water, fodder, clay, stone, machinery
 imports/exports: Food, building materials, fossil fuels, mulch, trash
Vegetation and Wildlife
 existing plant and animal species: locations, sizes, quantities, patterns, uses,
invasiveness, weediness, what they indicate about site conditions
 ecosystem architecture: layers and their density, patterning and diversity
Microclimate
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slope aspects (direction slopes face relative to sun)
sun/shade patterns
cold air drainage and frost pockets
soil moisture patterns
Buildings and Infrastructure
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building size, shape, locations of doors and windows, existing and possible functions
permanent pavement and where does snow get piled
power lines (above and below ground) and electric outlets
outdoor water faucet, septic system, well locations
fences and gateways
greenhouses
Zones of Use
 property lines
 existing zones of land and water use
 current uses by neighbors and passersby
Soil Fertility and Management
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soil types: texture, structure, consistence, profile, drainage
management history
topsoil fertility: pH, % OM, N, P, K, Ca
soil toxins: lead, mercury, cadmium, asbestos, etc..
Aesthetics/Experience of Place
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indoor and outdoor spaces (walls, ceilings, floors)
qualities, feelings, functions, features
where does and will time get spent (need to create views?)
arrival and entry experience