BUILDING

The Building Department reviews plans, issues building permits, and does field inspections of buildings to ensure compliance with local and state mandated regulations related to building construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation. To learn more, access the Building Permit page.

Building Permits

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 and 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.

Permits shall not be required for the following:

Building

 

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120-square-feet.
• Fences not over 6 feet high.
• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter of width does not exceed two to one.
• Sidewalks and driveways.
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work,
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
• Swings and other playground equipment.
• Window awnings supported by exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.

Electrical

• Repairs and maintenance: A permit shall not be required for minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of the approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Gas

• Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
• Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

Mechanical

• Portable heating appliance.
• Portable ventilation appliances.
• Portable cooling units.
• Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
• Portable evaporative coolers.
• Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.
• Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided. however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.

The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.