Building permits are required for most residential construction and home improvement projects. This is to insure public safety and property standards as well as compliance with the Land Development Code (LDC). Contractors and home owners are required by law to obtain any required permits before any work begins. Typical projects requiring permits are:
- Home additions
- Finishing basements
- Interior construction
- Garages, both attached and detached
- Fences and walls
- Sheds and storage buildings
- Patios, decks and porches
- Driveways and paving
- General electrical work
Permit applications are reviewed for zoning and building code compliance. This process takes a minimum of ten (10) business days. Some permits - such as those for homes located in the Historic District - can take longer.
All permits expire six (6) months after the date of issue. Failure to start the work authorized by a permit within this six month period renders the permit invalid and a new permit must be obtained. Once work begins, noticeable progress must continue until completion. All work must be complete within eighteen (18) months of the permit issue date, regardless of when work begins.
Permit application fees are due at the time of submission. No permit will be reviewed without the fees being paid. Permit applications must be submitted by the property owner or with the property owner's acknowledgement and permission in writing.
All permit applications must be submitted with the appropriate supporting documents. Applications submitted without such documents will not be reviewed until supporting documentation is provided. The specific supporting documentation for a given permit varies; however, most require site and building plans. These plans must be properly scaled and in some cases sealed by an engineer, architect, surveyor, or other licensed professional. A listing of permits applications, required documents, and other relevant information is below.