Understanding Building Permits Expedites Your Project. Even If You’re Not The One Swinging the Hammer.
Have you ever had that neighbor who spontaneously erects some tool shed or other structure of questionable integrity in their backyard? It always seems to be the case that the offending building is some type of tool shed, storage shed, or porch. And, of course there’s the periodic pole barn if you’re in the right place. Other times, they’re really getting into high gear and adding a bedroom or second story to their main house.
Alas, your neighbor has up-ended the peaceful neighborhood!
Through the cacophony of saw-noises and hammering, you start to wonder if anyone knows what the heck they’re actually doing over there. Especially when this shop project of a tool shed starts to look a little jankity–slanted to the side like it got hit by a hurricane.
So what’s going on here? Is your neighbor doing heavy construction high? Probably. But, even more alarming, he or she is likely operating without a building permit. Remember, building without the blessing of your township is a major party foul.
Now, I’m not advocating that you rat your neighbor out. However, I am saying that even if you’ve never picked up a hammer in your life, you should know what a building permit is. Even the sturdiest houses will need improvements over time and, even if you’re not making the improvements yourself, you’ll need to know what work you want accomplished and who and what type of contractor you need to hire.
Make no mistake: despite what your over-eager neighbor might be doing with his dilapidated tool shed, we live in a country of laws and laws govern the community. Your understanding of how building permits are issued is essential to making sure your project goes off without a hitch.
Do you remember Legos? Like Dr. Seuss, there were two-blocks, four-blocks, red blocks, blue blocks, and so forth. When you were a kid, did you bust out the directions before starting to build; or, were you one of the kids did who tossed the directions aside and started freestyle-building whatever you wanted?
Well, with houses, you have to follow the directions and the law (but that doesn’t mean you can’t be creative!). Like Legos, houses also have their directions. A building permit, along with your blueprint, plot plan, photographs, maps, and other documents, paints a picture of what needs to be built.
More specifically, a building permit is a type of authorization granted by your township before the construction of a new building—or the improvement of an existing building—can occur. Building permits are also issued for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, as well as in cases of repairs to historical buildings (like maybe some of the older houses on main street built when the town was established). Keep in mind, there’s a permit for every project. You’ll need a permit from everything from building a brand new house to a simple tool shed in your backyard.
A plot plan (also called a site plan) is an architecture diagram which shows buildings, utilities, and the position of roads in a “top-down” view. It gives you an overview of your property and will give a builder a sense of where everything is located on your property.
Consider your building permits to be the veritable blessing of your Township Supervisor and local government. Without it, you might as well be up a creek without a paddle.
Once issued, the building permit gives you permission to start construction in accordance with your approved plans.
You might think that getting a building permit is a huge pain. “What right does the government have to tell me what I can and can’t build on my property?” You might think. Or, for those of us who aren’t Ron Swanson and take a more flexible interpretation of the Fifth Amendment, it may the fees we’ll grouse about instead that we’ll have to pay. Don’t fret though. Going through the building permit process will actually help make your project better in the long-run.
Like Legos, houses also have their directions. A building permit, along with your blueprint, plot plan, photographs, maps, and other documents, paints a picture of what needs to be built.
First, before you actually seek out a building permit, you’ll need to define the scope of your project. What exactly are you trying to do? If it’s not you doing the project, what type of contractor will you need to hire? If it’s a moderate or even major project, you may have an architect draft up a blueprint of what you’re trying to do. A blueprint, in architecture, is a technical drawing used for a future project. Today, blueprints also called “drawings” or “plans” and are typically not done on blue paper anymore but are instead printed right off the computer.
After you’ve got your plans ready and found a contractor, you’ll then need to arrange a pre-application meeting with your local code official. At the pre-application meeting, you’ll discuss your building plan. And, it’s here at the pre-application stage where the building permit process starts to show its real benefits—your code official will be able to tell you what you need to do exactly so that you don’t waste time, materials, or money in order to make your project in compliance with township code.
Next, your local official will review the materials you plan to use for the project to ensure they adhere to building codes. Building Codes (or building regulations) are a set of standards set by your township to ensure the health and safety of the building occupants. Let’s face it, no one wants the side of your house to cave in as a result of your shoddy construction. So, your official will access the building materials to ensure they meet durability standards.
You can also review your deed on the property with the local official to ensure your deed is free of any constraints that would prevent you from building. Your deed is a written document that shows you own the property. The house was transferred to you through the deed when it was purchased.
You’ll want to work side-by-side with your local official to make sure that your building plan is in order. Sloppiness with the plan can cause delays down the road, so it’s best to get it right now.
After your local official is satisfied with the building plan, you’ll need to fill out a building permit application (for the Township of Grosse Ile, you can find it here). In the building permit application, you’ll put the location of where you plan to do your project, the estimated costs, and the square footage that will be affected. The township will also list the fees you have to pay to obtain the permit in their designated part of the form.
Using the Township of Grosse Ile as an example (see section D), here are some of the main things you could have in your application:
All of this information should be contained in your construction plan.
If you’re doing things like electrical and plumbing, these will require separate permit applications. The plumbing permit can be found here. You’ll also fill out separate applications for a site plan review or for unique situations like a lot split. There are all kinds of things that may require a permit. For those of you that don’t live in Grosse Ile, check with your own city or township and they’ll set you on the right track.
The fees for the permits themselves are listed in what’s called a “service fee schedule.” The fees vary based on what type of work you’re doing. For example, the application fee for a building permit on Grosse Ile is $25 dollars. The fee schedule will show you how much it will cost for each repair and includes everything from hot tubs to siding to gutters, etc.
Once your permit is approved, you can get to start swinging that hammer! However, you’ll need to make sure to pause your work periodically for any on-site inspections your local official might require. If you’re using a contractor, it will be their job to make sure they are coordinating with your local official. Nevertheless, you should still review the work to ensure these inspections are being done. Your involvement will help ensure the project’s success.
Periodic or routine inspections guarantee that work within a project progresses as planned and are in accordance with regulations. Periodic inspections can include: an examination of the construction process; checking the construction plan to catch any non-conformities; and reviewing any revisions from the initial plan. On a relatively simple project, periodic inspection may consist of only performing a construction check after all work is completed. On a more involved project, you’ll have to stop work until your progress is checked by a local official. For example, before finishing off framing an interior wall, an inspection should be done after all electrical, plumbing, and mechanical rough-ins. Consult with your local official to determine at what stages you’ll have to stop at for inspection.
Once you are finished with the project, your local official will inspect the site one last time. During the final inspection, the building inspector will make sure the project was properly done. After passing final inspection, you’ll receive documentation that should include: a certificate of zoning, a certificate of completion, a utility certificate, and a certificate of occupancy.
As you can see, there’s a lot to building permits. Even if you’re using a contractor, it behooves you to know the building permit process so that you can ensure your project progresses smoothly and on budget. When you’re getting started, be sure to reach out to your local township to get information on what is required for their particular permits and fee schedule.