Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of a plan is to assure the construction project is designed in compliance with the code. If there are issues of noncompliance, they may be addressed during the plan review process. This saves the applicant time and money as it is more economical to make revisions prior to the start of construction.

Construction documents may be submitted by the owner or the owner’s architect, engineer, contractor, or agent. The construction statutes or codes do not fix the responsibility for the submission of construction documents. However, the owner of the construction project has the responsibility to assure that it is done.

Generally, you need to obtain a building permit whenever you construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, remove, improve, convert, or demolish a building or other structure. A building could be anything from a tool shed to a house. A Building Permit may include building, grading, plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits. If you have a question about permit requirements for your project, you can refer to our checklists and guidebooks, under Residential or Commercial Building Permits. 

If you’re applying for a building permit you may be asked to produce a plot plan. While this can cause some confusion, a plot plan is really just the same thing as a site plan—it’s a two-dimensional, overhead view of a property with details like property lines, structures, easements, and landscapes.

The main two ways of securing Plot Plan are having Land Surveyor come out to draw one or getting one through an online resource. See, Working with a Surveyor and Working with an Online Plot Plan Provider.

Working with a Surveyor

You will need to contact a Land Surveyor. They will come out to your property and draw an up-to-date plot plan. They will also use resources such as county maps and property deeds to determine the boundaries of your property. You should work with an experienced and licensed surveyor. You can find surveyors locally by searching for land surveyors online.

Working with an Online Plot Plan Provider

Ordering a plot plan online is an option depending on how much detail you need. They will use a combination of satellite imagery, GIS information, county parcel maps, and other information that you provide to get you a PDF of an up-to-date, accurate plot plan.

However, this method might not be suitable if the permit for your project specifically asks for a land survey, so check the requirements. 

Zoning Compliance is a permit that allows the inspection department to become aware of who is occupying a space, the type of business and information on whom to contact for emergencies or other city related business. It ensures that a business may legally operate in that particular zoning district.

A Zoning Compliance permit is required for moving, alteration or repairs of any building or structure.  It is also required for change of use or type of occupancy of any building (non-residential).

This form may be obtained at the Inspection Department or online.  The cost for a single Zoning Compliance is $108.00.

Building Permits 

Building Permit Fees are determined by the total cost of construction and applying that value to a fee table. The value of the project is determined by the square footage being added and/or the International Code Council (ICC) valuation of building construction cost table.

You can refer to our "Building Permit Fee Schedule" located under "Documents" for Building Permit costs. Building permit Fees are the Building Fee + Plan Review Fee + Administration Fee = Total Cost of Permit.  

Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing Permits are all based on per item as listed on the Permit Application.

Most permits have a lead time of two weeks (depending on volume of applications and providing we receive all the necessary information). 

Permits that are submitted with Plans for review have an average turnaround time of  two to three weeks. This could vary do to season, scope and size of project.  

Please check your BS&A Online link to see if your permit has been issued. 

You can schedule an inspection using BS&A Online.

You will need the Permit Number and know the Type of Inspection. This will open a calendar to pick a day. Times are not assigned, you will have to contact your inspector the day of your inspection between 8:30 am and 9:00 am to get an AM or PM time frame. 

Inspections that have been verified and requested before 3:30 pm will be scheduled for the next business day between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. (unless otherwise specified). Inspections may be done earlier or later depending on the inspector’s workload.

Fire suppression and fire alarm inspections will not be scheduled until a date and time have been confirmed with the contractor and Fire Marshall. 

Inspections will be performed Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

If you have any questions, please contact the Inspection Department at (734) 466-2580.