Commercial Building Permits Guide

commercial building permit guide - Headwaters Building

commercial building permit guideCustomer Guide to Commercial Building Permits

Building permits are an important part of the construction business. They are meant to ensure that buildings in question have met all the code regulations set by the authorities and that it is safe to start construction. If you are planning on starting a commercial building project, it helps to understand the permit acquisition process. This is because the city will not allow you to build without the relevant documents. Here is a complete customer guide on commercial building permits. 

Preliminary Review

The preliminary review takes place before you apply for the building permits. It is important because it saves you time to process all the required documents. The staff you encounter in every department will give you valuable ideas that will save you both time and money. 

During this phase, the relevant departments in your city answer any and all questions. They will be responsible for letting you know whether your proposed building meets the city’s development guidelines and whether you will require planning approvals from the planning commission or the Architectural Review Commission. 

In the event your project does require planning approval, the Planning Department will ask you to file a separate planning application from the building permit and pay the required fees. Gilmore Heating Air & Plumbing, Sacramento HVAC company explains that the fees you pay will also be separate from the building permit fees. 

Additionally, you will have to discuss the project with the different departments such as Public Works, Health, or Fire Department to see whether they have any requirements. 

Applying for a Building Permit 

Once the preliminary review is done, you will be required to apply for a building permit. Headwaters Building explains that this gives you permission to erect your building if your plans have been approved by the planning commission. 

To apply, turn in your application package to the Building & Safety Division of the City’s Community Development Department. This package contains:

  • A completed application, checklist, and related forms
  • The plan review deposit
  • Copies of required plans
  • Supporting documentation (energy, soils, structural analysis)

You can turn in your application in person at the Building and Safety Division or online. Our Sacramento commercial builders advise you to make sure to pay the review deposit of ‘plan check fee’ before the final review of the application documents. 

The Review Process 

Your application is reviewed after submission. There are different departments involved during this process depending on the nature of the project. These departments include: 

  • Building & Service Division
  • Fire Department 
  • Public Works Department 
  • Planning Division 
  • Utilities Department 

Each will approve or deny your application depending on whether or not you meet their requirements. 

Permit for Your Commercial Property

Applications are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. Your application is likely to take anywhere between 4-8 weeks depending on the category of project you are applying for. You will be provided with a permit if all the requirements are met. In the event you do not get the permit, the Building and Safety Division will highlight all the areas that need work. 

You can only make minor corrections on the application forms you provided. If the corrections become numerous or if you have to make major corrections, the Building & Safety Division expects you to correct the base drawing before submitting copies of the revised plans. Once you resubmit your corrections, they will be sent to the relevant departments. Most NorCal commercial construction companies say that it takes anywhere between 2-4 weeks to check the corrections and approve. 

The city will only provide you with a building permit if you meet all code requirements. You are expected to pay any fees upon notification before being issued the permit. Once you have the permit, you can comfortably start the construction. 

It is important to note that the city will carry out inspections as you build your commercial building. They will provide you with an Inspection Record card which details the remarks by the inspector after each phase of construction is completed. The inspector must sign the card after every phase before you can start working on the next. 

Talk to Headwater Cnstruction Inc. today and get the best professional advice to make your commercial building project a success.