Building Division

Work of a minor nature within a home can be done by the homeowner, however, if excessive violations are noted at the time of the inspection, a licensed professional may be required.

Timed inspections are reserved for footings, sewer laterals and occupancy inspections. All others can reserve a morning or afternoon inspection.

Resolution #23-1953 was designed to guide residents and contractors in maintaining the highest standards of workmanship when addressing repairs to the exterior finish, as outlined in the adopted Property Maintenance and Residential Codes. The resolution encourages a comprehensive approach when replacing siding and shingles. If a damaged plane or elevation does not have a suitable match, the entire plane or elevation shall be replaced. If there is substantial difference in color or texture of the finish material, replacing the whole house material maybe the solution. The manufactures installation requirements shall be met.

To obtain a copy of a Certificate of Occupancy for a residential or commercial property please fill out the Certificate of Occupancy Request Form.

Miscellaneous permits take approximately five - seven business days to complete. New construction (master) house permits take seven - 10 business days and new construction (same as) house permits take five - seven business days. Building permits are valid for six months from the date of the last inspection.

Occupancy Permits are valid for 90 days and may be extended by contacting the Building Official. All other permits are valid for six months from the time of the last approved inspection. To extend a permit click here.

A permit is required for projects previously completed. A disclaimer statement maybe provided on the property card to note that no inspections of the underlying walls occurred and that a permit was obtained after construction. The inspector will note any other changes to the dwelling from the previous inspection. Some changes may be required to meet current building codes.

Yes, permits are required for driveway installation and proximity of slabs or curb cuts at an intersection. A Miscellaneous Building Permit is used for driveway permits. No, permit is needed for patios or non-driveway related slabs. Consult with the Building Inspector if you are unsure.

Either the resident in violation will cut the grass (needs to be less than eight inches) or the City will send out a contractor to cut the grass after a 10 day notice period (first violation), 5 day notice period (repeat viloation). Once the contractor has cut the grass, the City will post a lien on the property for the moving service.

Construction. Noise generated from the erection, excavation, demolition, alteration, or repair of any building or development are expressly not permitted during the hours and dates written below. These restrictions apply to all construction activities unless deemed urgently necessary for public health and safety, in which case a permit from the building official is required for alternative hours. Such permits may be granted for a period not exceeding three days, renewable for additional three-day periods during the continuation of the emergency.
If the building official determines that construction activities at times other than the below stated hours would not compromise public health and safety, and that denial of a request to perform construction activities outside the below stated hours and dates would result in significant loss or hardship to involved parties, permission may be granted for such work. Requests for nighttime work must be submitted when the initial construction permit is awarded or during the project's progress. Commercial and residential construction activities for renovation, tenant finish work and maintenance purposes performed inside of buildings are permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Minor residential construction activities conducted by the property owner, a resident of the property or the owner's or resident's contractor, including work on fences, decks, sheds, and yard maintenance within the property's boundaries, are permitted on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Construction work generally shall only be allowed during the following hours:
October 1—May 31 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
June 1—September 30 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday
Work by the city or for the city shall be exempt from these provisions.

Unpermitted work happens for many reasons. You may be hesitant about the requirements, the additional paperwork, the home assessments, etc. However, when it comes time to buy or sell the home, this information should be disclosed. You can always call the building division to ask if a permit was obtained and approved for the work completed.

If you are the home buyer, it is a good idea to find out if the proper permits were obtained and, most importantly, that the inspections were approved for the work completed. There will be an approval sticker or signed off permit card for the final inspection if the permit work is approved. As the home seller, don’t hesitate to apply for permits for work that was completed without the proper documentation.

The Building Division will work with the homeowner on an individual basis to get the paperwork and inspections completed so we can make sure that the work is safe and code compliant. You can start the process by filling out the permit application online here:  
Miscellaneous Permit Application.

Please note on the application or the permit drawings that the work has already been completed without a permit. Feel free to call the Building Division with any questions, at (636) 327-5101.