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Alterations to your home require a building permit if they involve cutting or removal of any wall, partition, beam or egress components (doors & windows), or if it involves changes to the water supply or sanitary sewer system, electrical wiring or mechanical work.
Additions involve structural changes made to enlarge your home. Additions include any type of structural work creating additional enclosed space to your home or property for a variety of uses.
The guidelines below are generally applicable to any alteration or addition
Finished basement
You will need to submit a floor plan of the basement showing what area you wish to finish and what areas or areas will remain unfinished. These areas must be dimensioned. Doors, windows, stairs, furnace, water meter and hot water heater need to be indicated.
You should describe, on your floor plan, what work will be done to finish the area – will you be building walls? If so what will you use? What kind of finishes do you plan for the floor, walls & ceiling? Where will electrical receptacles, lights and switches be placed? A very important bit of information is labeling the spaces as to their use – recreational space, bedroom, storage space, etc.?
Other Alterations
You will need to submit a floor plan of the house showing existing spaces and new or changed spaces, the floor plan must be dimensioned. It helps if you provide a floor plan showing the spaces as existing and a second floor plan showing the spaces as they are to be changed. Elements such as doors, windows, stairs, furnace and hot water heater need to be indicated.
You should indicated new walls or walls to be removed, what materials will be used for the construction, and what kind of finishes are to be used for the floor, walls & ceiling. Show all new electrical receptacles, lights and switches. A very important bit of information is labeling the spaces as to their use.
Additions
Additions are more complicated and require more detailed information.
A foundation plan is required showing the footings and foundations as well as beams and floor joists with their respective size and spacing.
A floor plan is next showing the existing home spaces and new walls. The ceiling joists and rafters or trusses may be indicated on the floor plan or another framing plan may be provided showing this information. As with the foundation plan size and spacing of these structural elements is necessary.
A wall section should be provided to show detail of the structural elements and how you intend to construct the addition. This is a good place to show all finishes – both interior and exterior (floor, wall and ceiling), insulation and other information.
The more information you show on your plans, the quicker the plan review will go for your application. It is our job to ensure that minimum building code requirements is being met. While our plan reviewer and inspectors cannot size the structural elements or design for you, many lumber companies offer programs that will size beams and other elements. Check with the company you will purchase your materials from, they may be able to help with this.
With all alterations and additions you should expect at least 2 weeks after you submit your application and other information for the plan review to be performed. Once the plan review is complete a representative of the building department will contact you to let you know your permit is ready for pick up and what the fee will be. There are several inspections that must be performed during the course of your alteration – please see the list included with the application.
Residential Application package
Residential Application package
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