The Path of a Building Permit - Stage Three - Issuance to Commence

Now you're ready to roll.  Contractors / Owners may be able to check the status of their permit throughout the whole permitting process either on an automated phone system or an on-line service.  You may be issued a PIN number when you submit your plans and then provided a phone number where to call for permit updates during it's approval process.  The possibility may also exist to access the information on an on-line resource or the municipality website.  When the permit is ready it is usually made available for pick up at the front counter which will be staffed the entire today for easy retrieval.  When the Contractor / Owner picks up their permit they are instructed to display the permit sign-off card in an area that is easily visable to the inspector when entering the construction site.  They, the contractor / owner, will then call in inspections during the course of construction and an inspector will visit the jobsite.  When the inspector passes an inspection he signs off by initialing the permit card.  If an inspection is failed it will need to be re-inspected after the necessary corrections have been made.  Once the permit has been signed off, and the final inspection has passed, the job is complete.  In the case of new construction this would be when a Certificate of Occupancy would be issued.  It's not such a daunting experience and may save a lot of money when you remain in compliance.  Attempting to avoid the process altogether will most assuredly come with major consequences.