Building Permit Requirements

General Guidelines for Residential and Commercial Building Permits

You must submit (2) sets of plans if new construction or significant changes are made.  These must be to scale (preferably on 24"x36" paper) and complete sets.  A complete set of plans includes, at a minimum, the following:  Dimensioned Floor Plan,Exterior Elevations, Roof Plan and Electrical Plan.  All plans must be drawn to scale and drawn to Architectural Graphic Standards. Residential construction plans do not have to be drawn by a licensed professional but must be professionally drawn.  You must complete the "Application for Building Permit", "Contractor Verification" form and the "Building Permit Acknowledgement" form and submit the applications with your plans.  

For Commercial projects, if the project exceeds 7,500 square feet, is more than (2) stories in height or the work contract exceeds $50,000, the project will require a state licensed COMMERCIAL contractor. 

For Residential projects, the homeowner may act as your own contractor for the construction of most single- family owner-occupied homes, with the exception of electrical, plumbing and HVAC work. If you decide to act as your own contractor, it is important for you to understand that you are assuming all liability and may not have recourse against your builder or sub-contractors. You may be held liable if anyone is hurt at the construction site.

• Elevation Certificates are required if the property is in a flood zone!

Boring/Digging

• Within the City requires a permit from this office.
• This permit must be with the boring/digging crew in the event a City employee requests to see it.
• An 811 locate must be obtained before boring/digging inside the City.