A CUSTOMER GUIDE TO THE BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS
We have designed this guide with the newcomer to the permit process in mind. It details
the steps involved in obtaining a building permit – from preliminary review through final
approval. This information will help people who have had little or no experience with the
building permit process. Experienced building professionals will also find information
about the required amount of processing time useful for their scheduling.
Building Permits: When are they required?
Generally, you need to obtain a building permit from the City 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. Additionally, code
violations are generally required to obtain a permit to correct violations including minor
property maintenance violations. A Building Permit may include building, grading,
plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits. The City processes the various permit
types required as one total package. If you have a question about permit requirements
for your project, call the Building & Safety Division at 781-7180.
Preliminary Review: Before you apply
We encourage you to call or visit us before you submit your building permit application.
We will answer your questions and let you know if your proposed project is within the
City’s development guidelines. You may be referred to other staff members to
determine if your project will require any Planning approvals before you can apply for a
building permit. Approval may require action by the Architectural Review Commission or
the Planning Commission. Our office is located at 919 Palm St. beneath the parking
garage.
If your project will require approval through a planning process, you must file a separate
planning application and pay required fees to the Planning Department. Those fees are
separate from the building permit fees. Planning approvals must be granted before you
are allowed to apply for a building permit.
You may also want to discuss your project with the Public Works Department, the Fire
Department, or the Health Department to determine if there will be any special
requirements. Staff may suggest ideas to make the building permit process easier for
you. Asking us questions at the outset may save you processing time. We’re glad to
take the time to help you – it’s part of why we are here.
Do You Need to Hire a Professional? Ask us.
The City is committed to explaining the process as clearly and concisely as possible.
However, the permit process can be complex, even for those experienced with it.
Depending on the size and type of your project, you may need the services of a
licensed professional. In fact, State law may require that a portion or your entire project
be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer. Our best advice is to check with the
staff in the Building & Safety Division to determine if the services of a licensed
professional will be needed.
Applying for a Permit
You may apply for a building permit when the plans for your proposed project are
complete and Planning approvals, if required, are granted. To apply you must turn in an
application package at the Building & Safety Division of the City’s Community
Development Department, consisting of:
Completed application, checklist and related forms
The plan review deposit
Copies of required plans
Supporting documentation (structural, energy, soils analysis)
The application packet is available at the Building & Safety Division counter, as well as
on-line in the Forms link of our website at www.slocity.org. The information included on
the plans and the number of copies will vary, depending on the specifics of your project.
Please choose the appropriate construction application checklist that matches your
scope of work from one of the six provided at the end of this guide.
Please note, you will be required to pay a plan check fee, or in most cases, pay a plan
review deposit that will be credited towards the plan check fee. The entire plan review
fee must be paid prior to final review of application documents.
The Review Process: What happens next?
After your application is submitted, we will review your plans. Depending on the nature
of the project, the review could involve several departments. The Building & Safety
Division will determine compliance with building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical,
energy conservation, disabled access compliance, Greenbuild codes and storm water
control regulations. The Fire Department will check for compliance with fire safety
requirements. The Public Works Department will check for compliance with flood
control, drainage, parking and driveway standards and public improvement
requirements. The Planning Division will verify compliance with zoning regulations
including authorized uses within zoning districts, required parking, and property
development standards such as lot coverage, building height, setback, and density
requirements. The Utilities Department will review for water conservation and waste
management objectives.
Obtaining a Permit: How long will it take?
The City reviews applications on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we are
committed to processing your plans as quickly and efficiently as possible. The City’s
goal is to complete the initial plan check within the following time frames:
Category Initial Plan Check Time Project Examples
Minor Commercial 4 weeks Non-structural tenant improvements,
Projects/Residential residential remodels and additions,
Projects single family homes
Moderate Projects 6 weeks Structural tenant improvements,
commercial additions up to 5,000 SF,
changes of occupancy
Major Projects 8 weeks New commercial buildings
Corrections, Clarifications, and Changes
The Building & Safety Division will notify you when the initial plan review for your project
is completed. If the plans cannot be approved as submitted, we will provide you with
lists of necessary corrections from all departments that reviewed your plans.
Minor corrections can be made on the original plans submitted. However, if major
changes are necessary, or if there are numerous corrections, you will be required to
correct the base drawings and resubmit copies of the revised plans. Submitting
thorough and complete plans initially will help avoid numerous revisions.
When revised plans are submitted, they will be distributed to the departments that
generated the initial corrections for subsequent review. Plans submitted for recheck will
generally require less processing time than required for the initial check. The City’s goal
is to process rechecks within two weeks for minor projects, three weeks for moderate
projects and four weeks for major projects.
Issuing the Permit
After the City determines that the plans satisfy all code requirements, you will be notified
of the approval and asked to pay all remaining fees. Upon payment, we will issue a
building permit. You can then begin construction.
Inspections
We will inspect your project as work progresses. You will be given an “Inspection
Record” card with the permit, and you must have the inspection card and the approved
plans available during all inspections. The card must be signed by an inspector after
each phase of your project is completed, but before you begin the next phase. Building
& Safety Division staff will conduct an inspection on any weekday you request,
provided you call 781-7180 to request an inspection by at least 5:00 p.m. THE
DAY BEFORE you wish the inspection to take place.
Completing Your Project
Although it is essential that you complete the inspection process, you do not have to
finish your project during any fixed time period. From the day you pick up the permit,
you are allowed 180 days (six months) to begin work on your project. Once construction
begins, you must continue to work on your project to avoid permit expiration. When
work is completed, you must obtain approvals from all departments listed on the “Blue
Card” before final inspection by the Building & Safety Division. With final approval, we
will authorize “utility releases” allowing electricity and gas services to be connected and
provide a certificate of occupancy, if one is required for your project.
Why is the permit process so complex?
The process of issuing a building permit may seem complex, which it is. It involves
many City departments and outside agencies, and it may include a separate Planning
process. The City is required by law to enforce numerous Federal, State and local
construction and development regulations to insure that your project is safe and is an
asset to the community. We have provided a flow chart which is intended to help you
understand this complex process.
City phone numbers to keep handy: Building & Safety Division 781-7180
Planning Division 781-7170
Public Works Department 781-7015
Fire Department 781-7380
Utilities Department 781-7215
