Before renovating or building a commercial building, you need several building permits from your local government. But what exactly do you need permits for, and how do you get them? In this blog, you’ll learn:
- Why permits are important
- Your commercial building permit requirements
- How to get commercial construction permits
Why Permits Are Important
If you’re eager to get started on your commercial construction project, you might be wondering if you can just skip the permitting process? After all, drawing up plans and receiving permit approval can take weeks or even months. However, building a commercial building without permits isn’t worth the time you’ll save. Here’s why.
Unpermitted Work Is Illegal
The simplest answer to why you should get commercial construction permits? It’s the law. You can build or renovate a space without permits, but if your city finds out, they might charge a fine and force you to demolish all unpermitted work. You may save a few weeks in the beginning, but you’ll have to start again from square one eventually.
Permits Make Sure You Comply With Commercial Building Safety Requirements
Permits may seem like a nuisance that delays your project, but they exist for a reason. Your city has commercial building safety requirements that ensure all occupants will be safe inside your completed building. Some safety elements that permits account for include:
- Fire protection measures, like alarms, procedures, and emergency signs and exits
- Fire extinguishers
- Sprinkler systems
In addition to meeting local safety requirements, getting permits ensures your work itself is done safely. If you partner with a contractor willing to work without permits, they might perform poor-quality electrical, structural, or plumbing work. Since you won’t have local inspectors signing off when they’re done, you risk endangering your occupants and their clients with work that’s not up to code.
Permits Protect Your Investment
When you complete a new construction or renovation project without pulling permits, your property can lose value. If you manage to build a commercial building with no permits without your city finding out, you’ll most likely have issues when trying to sell or lease the space. Additionally, if you suffer property damage caused by unpermitted work, your insurance company can refuse to pay your claim.
Understanding Your Commercial Building Permit Requirements
Any building owner who plans to do work on their commercial property—aside from minor cosmetic changes—will need at least one permit. Depending on the scope of your commercial building project, you may need to apply for several permits before and during the construction process.
Your local government determines the exact permits you need, so it’s important to check local laws before beginning a project. Regardless of your location, it’s likely you’ll need permits for the following work:
- New construction
- Commercial renovations
- Demolition
- Significant structural changes
- Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical work
- Occupancy changes
Before you begin a portion of your project, you need to have the correct permits in place first. Securing permits can require significant planning, and if you forget to apply at the right time, you may face delays in your commercial project.
How To Get Commercial Construction Permits
Securing a commercial construction permit to build a commercial building requires several steps:
1. Do Your Research
Before you can apply for the proper permits, you need to know which ones your city requires. If you’re unfamiliar with local codes, visit your city’s website to learn more about the permitting process. It might help to speak to someone in the permitting department to get more information.
Once you know which permits will be required, you should determine when you will need to apply for each one. Permits are typically only valid for a specified time, so it’s crucial to spend time during the planning phase determining your permit timeline.
2. Prepare Your Application and Plans
To receive a permit, you must submit an application with detailed plans. These may include site plans, architectural drawings, HVAC and mechanical plans, and more, depending on your city and the permit you need. Usually, you’ll work with architects, engineers, and project managers during the design phase to coordinate the completion of required drawings. If you don’t already have a company you’re working with, you’ll need to find a professional who can complete plans according to your city’s requirements.
3. Submit and Pay a Fee
When you submit your building permit application for approval, you will most likely be required to pay a fee. If you make it through the plan review process and your application is approved, you will get your permit and receive permission to begin construction.
4. Schedule an Inspection
After you perform permitted work within the specified time on your permit, you will need to schedule an inspection to receive final approval. Once you’ve reached substantial completion according to your city, you can start using your building.
If you’re not a project management expert, managing your own permitting timeline can be risky. Need an expert’s help? Connor Construction can apply for all necessary permits on your behalf to keep your project on pace.
