Getting a Building Permit

Introduction

The procedure of obtaining a building permit begins at the permit counters, regardless of whether the endeavor is a relatively simple one around the house or an entirely new tower. Altering an existing structure and building from the ground necessitates the same care and attention.

Before doing any work on a building or structure, whether it be electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing, you need to be sure that you have checked with the appropriate building authority. It makes no difference if the item in question is intended to be a work of art.

To determine whether or not a building permit is necessary for a particular project, one should get in touch with the Sacramento County Division of Building Permits and Inspections, the California Building Code (CBC), and the California Residential Code (CRC).

In this blog, we explore the process of getting a building permit.

Building permits are required for a reason!

Building and property use can be controlled to ensure safe, healthy, efficient, and accessible environments. Unless a permit has been obtained, no building or structure can be built or altered in any way; this includes expansions, repairs, additions, and renovations.

Who is eligible to submit a request for a permit?

Only homeowners, contractors, or authorized agents acting on their behalf are eligible to receive permission to access their property. When applying for a position as an owner or contractor, you must sign and submit an authorization letter as part of your application.

Extensions of Permits and Other Variable Authorizations

If there is no need for plan approval, granting permits typically takes one visit; alternatively, you can submit your application online.

Replacement of water heaters, electric service panels, heaters, and air conditioners, retrofit window replacement, and other small projects require an essential miscellaneous permit for residential use. Other projects, such as replacing air conditioners and heaters, do not require a license.

Suppose the authorization you seek requires a plan review. In that case, we will initiate the process on your behalf, analyze your proposal, and then submit the whole thing to the committee for consideration. Once we have received approval from all of the appropriate departments, we will next proceed to issue a permit and begin conducting field inspections.

Permitting, design, and inspection of a building

A building permit is required for non-residential/high-rise structures, outdoor lighting systems, signs, additions, and major restorations. With pre-construction, these three items will be of benefit. To ensure compliance with local building laws and requirements, local officials must check the project plans and specifications. All of the contractor’s permits and paperwork (such as a detailed scope of work and drawings with Title 24 forms) should be in order before they begin work.

There may be project-specific regulations that must be checked with the local building department. Prescriptive and performance-based compliance strategies are available under California Title 24. Everyone can easily comply with prescribed rules. Each component of the project must meet strict energy standards.

Prescriptive methods are more challenging but provide more outstanding design and construction flexibility. The delivery method uses a computer program to estimate the building’s energy use. The maximum energy consumption of a building is referred to as its energy budget.

Buildings constructed under Title 24 are required to meet specific sizing requirements. The bare minimum in terms of insulation on the walls, floors, and ceilings is required. It’s a good idea to double-check the Title 24 building permit requirements with each municipal authority in California before beginning any construction.

Applying for Building Permit 

A Planning Screening may be necessary before a building permit is reviewed. A 48-hour notice will be provided if further information is required or the project fails to meet its deadlines.

Fill out a DSI form to demonstrate your understanding of the material. Fees are determined by submission. When the permit is approved, the Plan Check and Planning payments must be paid.

Scaled plans and associated documentation should be sent in digital form. Under Digital Submittal Requirements and Naming Conventions, you’ll find file formatting guidelines. Include a detailed description of the project’s scope.

Calculation of State Energy:

Show all of the Requirements. On plans, a Certificate of Compliance (CF-1R) for residential and (ENV-1) for non-residential must be signed. Provide heat loss or ACP calculations. Calculations generated by a computer should be submitted in two forms.

Fee

Fees for the plan check and the PO review must be paid in full when your plan is submitted. The structure’s size, nature, and market value all play a role in determining the fee structure. Prices for the inspection, SMIP, encroachment, geological research, and septic system are paid for when a building permit is issued. The payments for the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical licenses are made once it is determined that the permits may be printed.

When to Pick the Permit?

Seasonal and project complexity affect the application’s processing time. Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations will all be reviewed to ensure that the plans comply. In most cases, it takes between 4 and 6 weeks to process a single order. Before the issue of the building permit, all remaining fees, including the building permit fee, must be paid. Building permits can be issued along with permits for installing plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems.

Conclusion

Before you build, repair, improve, convert, destroy, or change a building’s occupancy, you must get a building permit. All retaining walls supporting a surcharge (road, structure, slope, etc.) require a building permit.