It
takes everyone in a community to keep our homes, schools,
offices, stores and other buildings safe. We are happy to
provide you with the following information to help your family
learn more about building safety and the important part building
codes and permits play in your everyday life. Use this Web
site to get the latest code news or to obtain the resources
you need to learn more about building codes.
The International Code Council, a membership association
dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops
the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings,
including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and
states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed
by the International Code Council.
A building permit gives you legal permission to start construction
of a building project in accordance with approved drawings
and specifications. Building permits are very beneficial to
you and your community. By working with an expert code official,
you will benefit from their knowledge of the building codes
to ensure your construction project is built right, will be
safe and will last. Safe construction practices help protect
you, your family, your friends and your investment. Be sure
to get your local code official involved with your project,
because the building department is on your side.
The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call
your local building department. The staff is there to serve
the public by providing information about safety and understanding
of your local building codes. Be sure to discuss your plans
with the code official before you begin construction to determine
whether you need a permit. If a permit is not needed, the
code official will answer your construction questions and
provide valuable advice. Permits are usually required for
the following:
New buildings
Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc.)
Residential work (decks, garages, fences, fireplaces,
pools, water heaters, etc.)
Increased Value -- Your home or business is an investment.
If your construction project does not comply with the codes
adopted by your community, the value of your investment could
be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without
permits and inspections. If you decide to sell a home or building
that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required
to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied or do costly
repairs.
Protects -- A property owner who can show that code
requirements were strictly and consistently met, as demonstrated
by a code official's carefully maintained records, has a strong
ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive
lawsuit.
Ensures Safety -- Your permit also allows the code
official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards
of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety
and welfare. By following code guidelines, your completed
project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be
less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends
or future owners.
Talk to Your Local Code Official
Your code official wants your project to be a success
and will help you avoid potential problems that could
cost you time and money. You will be asked some basic
questions (What are you planning to do? Where?), advised
of any requirements and, if necessary, referred to other
departments for their approval. The code official will
provide you with the resources and information needed
for compliance with the applicable building codes. You
will then receive an application for a building permit.
Submit Application At this stage you will document the "Who, What, When,
Where and How" of the job, along with any sketches or
plans of the proposed work. Normally, separate permits
are required for electrical, plumbing, and heating or
air-conditioning work. In a brief amount of time, the
code official will review your plans and determine if
your project is in compliance with local requirements.
If your plans meet these requirements, a permit is issued.
If not, the code official may suggest solutions to help
correct the problem.
Receive Permit Now that you have been approved for a permit, you
have legal permission to start construction. A fee, based
on the size of the job, is collected to cover the cost
of the application, the review and the inspection process.
An experienced code official is available to you should
you have any questions concerning your project. You should
consider your code official as an ally who will help you
make your project a success.
Job-site Visits
On-site inspections will be required to make certain the
work conforms to the permit, local codes and plans. Again,
you will have access to the expertise of the code official
to help you with questions or concerns regarding the project
and to ward off potentially costly mistakes. The code
official will let you know approximately how many inspections
may be needed for your project. Usually, a one- or two-day
notice is needed when requesting visits.
Receive Final Approval
The code official will provide documentation when construction
is complete and code compliance is determined. You will
then have the personal satisfaction of a job done right.
Enjoy your new surroundings with the peace of mind and
the knowledge that they meet the safety standards in your
community.
This Web site can keep you up to date on the latest construction
news and will offer many tips for how you can make your home
as safe as possible. ICC's members also offers a complete
line of building codes from across the nation, as well as
many helpful guides to help you understand the codes. To order
publications, click here.
Building
Safety Fun with CODiE the Cougar