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When is a Building Permit needed?
 
A permit is needed when any owner or authorized agent 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 any 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.
 
Building permits shall not be required for any of the following:
  • One-story detached accessory structures, if the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.
  • A fence that is not more than 6 feet high (but must following zoning ordinance requirements at , Planning & Zoning, Zoning Ordinance).
  • A retaining wall that is not more than 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
  • A water tank supported directly upon grade if the capacity is not more than 50,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2 to 1.
  • A sidewalk or driveway that is not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and is not over any basement or story below.
  •  Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.
  • A prefabricated swimming pool that is less than 24 inches deep.
  • Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a 1- or 2- family dwelling.
  • Window awnings supported by an exterior wall.



Electrical permits shall not be required for any of the following:

  •  Repairs and maintenance: A permit is not required for minor repair work, including the replacement of lams or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
 
Mechanical permits shall not be required for any of the following:
  •  Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying appliances.
  •  Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make the equipment unsafe.
  •  A portable heating appliance.
  •  A portable ventilation appliance.
  •  A portable cooling unit.
  •  Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by code.
  •  Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make the equipment unsafe.
  • A portable evaporative cooler.
  • A self-contained portable refrigeration unit that is not more than 1.5 horsepower.



Plumbing permits shall not be required for any of the following:

  • The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe (but 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, then the work is considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in the code).
  • The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallationof water closets, if the repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.