The Path of a Building Permit - Stage One - The Application

Another game which could cost someone their life.  The Building Permit and it's processing.  Stage one of a three part process.   

In most municipalities whether it be city, town, township or county building permits are needed for just about every modification you make to your home from installing a hot water heater to putting on an addition. Some Building Departments may even require permits for dog houses and swing sets.  There's also a new trend for permitting the tent like structures you see used as temporary garages for both vehicles and boats.  Common turn-around permits which need no plan review would be for items like air conditioning replacement of units and water heaters.  You can either have your contractor "pull" the permit or you can obtain a permit as an owner/builder.  If you are pulling a permit as an owner/builder you will need to sign an Owner/Builder Affidavit which basically means you are accepting all of the responsibility for the work being done and anything that may go wrong.  When a Contractor pulls a permit, he is accepting all of the responsibility for the quality of work plus any injuries on the job and then the passing of all inspections required.  Paperwork needed varies from municipality to municipality, but the common forms needed are a checklist, a Building application (add applications for electrical and plumbing systems if any) a current survey (additions, pools, pool decks, driveways, etc.), the Owner/Builder Affidavit (if applicable), project specifications and plans (additions and renovations).  When filling out the application you most likely will need to list the address, the Property Control Number (PCN), all owner information (at least your name, address and phone number), all contractor information (their company name, address, phone number along with the contractor's license information), the cost of the work to be done including all materials and labor.  Then the  application must be signed by the owner or the contractor, as the owner's agent.  Permit fees are based on a percentage of the total value of the job.  Fees are usually based on  the total value and may be calculated differently by each municipality.  Many people never even consider obtaining a permit and that decision could cost alot more than dollars.  Others think that they can get away with pulling a permit and listing a far lower value, and thereby lowering their fee.  The fact is that there is typically a Plans Examiner during review of the application who will catch this discrepancy and may ask you to supply a copy of your contract before issuing the permit.  Although it seems like a lot of paperwork and the review period may be lengthy at times.  Anywhere from three days to two weeks or more depending on what you are pulling a permit for.  The process is all designed with your safety in mind and well worth it in the end.  Too many times we  ear what happens when the building codes, inspections and workmanship is shoddy or defective, structures collapse, flooding occurs, fires happen, all of which can result in serious injuries and death.  Of course, being the litigious country we live in, then the lengthy court process begins.  Be safe by starting your project with a proper Notice of Commencent, you'll be better off in the long run!