Permit Required

Check First - Many Home and Commercial Building Projects Require a Permit

Whether you are planning on doing some home improvement projects or renovating a new business.  Before tearing down walls or running electrical wire, installing a bathroom, or getting a new furnace; check with the Building Department to learn if your project requires a permit. A permit provides the legal permission to start construction of a project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications. A building permit is usually required for:

Residential

  • Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc.)
  • New buildings
  • Renovations (garage conversions, basement furnishings, kitchen expansions, re-roofing, etc.)
  • Decks
  • Fences
  • Fireplaces
  • Garages
  • Pools

Commercial

  • Building renovations
  • New construction
  • Temporary or permanent signage
  • Fire suppression and alarm systems

Separate Trade Permits

Separate trade permits are also required for:

  • Electrical systems
  • Plumbing systems
  • HVAC - Mechanical (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) systems

Please contact the Building Department Building and Trade Inspectors if you have any questions regarding the need for permits.

Issuance of Permit

After documenting the "Who, What, When, Where and How" of the job, along with providing any sketches or plans of the proposed work a permit may be issued. Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and heating or air-conditioning work. A code official will review the application for compliance with local and state requirements. If the plan meets the requirements, a permit is issued. If not, the code official will request necessary corrections.

Fee

A permit fee is collected to cover the cost of the application, the review and the inspection process. Once the permit is issued, work can begin.

On-Site Inspections

On-site inspections will be required to make certain the work conforms to the permit, codes, and plans. More than one inspection is typically required on a project.

Finally, the City Inspector-code official will provide documentation when construction is complete and code compliance is determined.

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