12 Things to Know About Building Codes & Property Improvements

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By Joe Richmond

What are building codes?

Building Code- A set of legal restrictions intended to assure a minimum standard of health and safety in buildings.

Examples of commonly used building codes used in residential construction in Illinois

• International Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings
• City of Chicago Building Code
• Illinois State Plumbing Code
• International Mechanical Code (IMC)
• National Electrical Code (NEC)
• American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Life-Safety Code

What are the intent, need, and use of building codes?

The intent of building codes is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

If there were no building codes, there would be no standards for builders or designers to adhere to, causing a public safety concern.

Building codes are used to design structures for builders to erect.

Permits

As stated in the 2000 ed. International Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings section 105 Permits; “R105.1 Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit”.

Is some work exempt from permits?

Yes. Work such as minor repair work to electrical, mechanical, plumbing systems, or decorating (such as painting, replacing trim work, or door/window frames) are exempt from requiring a permit. Check with your local municipality for details.

What types of documents will I need to apply for a permit?

First, you will need a permit application. Depending upon the work to be performed, you may need construction documents. If construction documents are necessary, they permitting agency usually requires you to submit three (3) copies of the documents to be reviewed. Typically, the person performing the work needs to fill out a portion of the application (for licensing purposes).

Are there fees associated with obtaining a permit?

Yes. Unless you are a tax exempt entity, there are fees associated with obtaining a permit. Fees vary from municipality to municipality so you should check with your local municipality for their fee schedule.

How long should the permit review take?

Depending on the municipality, the review can take anywhere from one day to two months. So you should verify your local municipality for their permitting review schedule.

Where should I go to find out what building codes are necessary for the work I want to perform?

The first step to take in building code investigation is your local municipality. Usually the city hall will have a list of codes by which they require the owner to abide. The list is free.  In addition, the public library in the local municipality usually has a copy of the building code and it amendments.

The city also has copies of the building code amendments along with the zoning ordinance and there is usually a small fee for those (usually around $15).  Your local bookstore can also assist in locating the code for you at a reasonable cost.

When is the best time to conduct my building code investigation?

Building code investigation should always be performed at the beginning of a project. The investigation can minimize construction delays and possible fines assessed for performing illegal work.

Who performs the building code review?

The local municipality usually performs the review.  However, some smaller cities contract the review process to a licensed reviewing agency. Check with your local municipality for details.

How is the building code review performed?

After you have completed the building code application and gathered all of the additional documents necessary, you submit the permit package to the local municipality for review.  The municipality either performs an in-house review or forwards your construction documents to a review agency. Once the review is complete, they notify you that either your documents have been reviewed and approved and your permit is ready, or that your documents were not approved and you need to make corrections and resubmit. If you need to make corrections, then you pick up your package and resubmit or you abandon the project.

Where can I find out more information of building codes?

You can contact your local municipality by telephone or mail.  Many municipalities also have websites where you can contact your building official who can further assist you.

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For more information, contact Joe Richmond, owner of SKA Residential Solution at 773-960-8893 or concrete141@excite.com, specializing in Chicago property inspections.

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