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“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.
·
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. |
