City/County Inspections Department - Building Plans Review Requirements

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The following items are required as the minimum information needed to process a building permit. Although jobs vary from residential to commercial and new construction to renovations, there are some things that are common to all. Those items are as follows:

Application and Plans

1. Building Application - General

   The following items are required as a minimum on the application for a building permit:

   1. Job address.
   2. Address description (lot, unit).
   3. Job description (the work must be described clearly - for example, which floor is multi-story, which tenant space (by I.D. number), which portion of the building; is it a remodel, renovation, demolition or a new job, etc.).
   4. Contractor's name, address and phone number.
   5. Architect's name, address and phone number (if applicable).
   6. Owner's name, address and phone number.
   7. Type of payment (cash or charge).
   8. Jurisdiction (City or County).
   9. State General Contractors License number (if required).
   10. Cost of the work - show cost of each trade.
   11. Owner's or owner's representative signature.
   12. Contractor's licensing exemption (for homeowner's use), if applicable.

2. New One and Two Family Construction

   1. Two copies of the plot plan showing proposed construction and setbacks from property lines to structures.
   2. Two copies of plans (foundation, framing, wall sections, elevations, floor plans).
   3. Engineered design required for some cantilevers exceeding 15 inches and all steel or other components requiring engineered documentation.
   4. County Health Department permit(s), if necessary (well and/or septic systems).

3. Residential Addition

   1. Two copies of plot plan showing all existing proposed construction and setbacks from property lines to structures.
   2. Two copies of plans which include, as a minimum, foundation, floor, and framing plans.
   3. Note: Engineered design required for cantilevers exceeding 15 inches (except certain bay windows, as specified in Appendix P of the Residential Building Code) and all steel or other components requiring engineering documentation.

4. New Multi-Family Construction

   1. Three sets of plans.
   2. One permit application per building.
   3. Building numbers and unit numbers.
   4. Location of handicap units.
   5. Complete plumbing, mechanical, and electrical plans sealed by an engineer/architect along with the phone number of the engineer/architect.
   6. All rated assembly designs and applicable test numbers. This information should be included on the required "Building Code Summary".
   7. Detail sheet to ensure compliance with Federal Fair Housing Act regulations (call office for details).

5. New Commercial Construction

   1. Three sets of complete drawings to include plumbing, mechanical and electrical with the phone number of the engineer/architect.
   2. One set of specifications (if applicable).
   3. Building Code Summary.
   4. All rated assembly designs and applicable test numbers. This information should be included on the required "Building Code Summary".
   5. Suite or tenant space numbers.

6. Tenant Upfits and Retrofits

   1. Three sets of plans.
   2. Overall floor plan showing common toilets, exits, etc., and indicating the space (by space number) where the work is being done. The type of occupancy in the adjacent tenant spaces should be identified.
   3. Suite or tenant space number.
   4. All rated assembly designs and applicable test numbers. This information should be included on the required "Building Code Summary".

7. Flood Plain Development

   Call the Plans Review section of the Inspections Department for details.

8. Modular Construction

   The application for a permit must include the manufacturer's name and labeling agency's
   name (third party testing agency).

   If a licensed General Contractor is performing the work, then they must have the following:

   1. A City Privilege License.
   2. Verification of General Contractor's license.

   If the work is to be performed by an agent for the owner, other than a General Contractor, then the following is required:

   1. A City Privilege License.
   2. A $5000 surety bond.

9. Demolition Permit

   1. Interior demolition: three copies of simplified floor plan labeling areas affected and a completed demolition application.
   2. Entire building: a completed demolition application completely filled out.

Note:

Please be advised that the person obtaining the permit is responsible for calling for all required inspections. No furniture or stocking or any sort is to be placed in any building before the Durham City-County Inspections Department issues a Certificate of Compliance. If a situation arises in commercial construction where stocking is necessary before the Certificate of Compliance can be issued, prior authorization must be obtained, in writing, from the Durham City-County Inspections Department. Please contact the Department for proper forms.