CODES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

AND WHERE YOU NEED TO GO

Codes and times are changin', my friend. Today, in many cities nationwide you can see Code Enforcement trucks prowling through our streets and neighborhoods. Gone (or almost gone) are the days when one could "get away" with adding a deck, turning the garage into a guest room or any number of things without a permit. It just got out of hand, I guess.

Here are some basic questions and answers. Click on the links at the bottom of this page for more info.

Q: I'm just starting to remodel my 1800 square foot rancher. What do I need to do first?

Q: Okay. But, how do I find out where to go?

A: Start by calling the most local government body that has jurisdiction over the property where you will be building. If its in a large city it may be a county office, whereas if its rural, it may be an office in the closest town. Look up "Building Permits" in the Government section of the phone book or search "building permit (your city and state)" online. When you call (which you will), they may also be able to provide you with specific information about which building codes are currently being used as guidelines in your area. You should also ask for any local changes or modifications that have been adopted by that local jurisdiction. You'll talk to live human beings who will tell you exactly what to do.

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Q: What else do I need?

A: Most offices provide a checklist to each applicant. The checklist includes the different individuals who must sign-off on the application form, like the zoning officer, board of health, city planner, etc. They'll also issue extensions if your start date is delayed.

Q: Are the codes binding, I mean legally?

A: Building codes are legal documents. If you violate building regulations, you may wind up in court.

Q: I'm about to tear down an old seventies style house and build on that spot. What kinds of permits will I need?

A: Are you kidding? You'll need every permit they make! Seriously, considering the scope of your project, the cost of all the permits you'll need will be a tiny amount. Typically, codes establish requirements for sanitary facilities, electrical, ventilation, construction, building materials, fire safety, plumbing and energy conservation. Anything you do that involves these areas is probably regulated, including any type of framing. And yes . . . you'll also need a permit to demolish the first building.

A: Building codes establish minimum standards. They are written so that if they're adhered to, the home will, hopefully, be a safe place to live. At the beginning, the code book states its purpose is "to provide minimum standards for the protection of life, limb, property, environment and for the safety and welfare of the consumer, general public and the owners and occupants of residential buildings regulated by this code."

To complicate matters, there is no common language --- no uniform building code in the United States. Some communities develop a unique code while others don't have a building code at all. And, building codes are constantly changing! They can vary by state, county, city or town.

Q: I'm sure there are a lot of regulations concerning traditional materials and shapes. Are there ways of building to code non-traditionally?

A: Its not easy sometimes, but remember, building codes (by their own wording) "are not intended to limit the appropriate use of materials, appliances, equipment or methods of design or construction not specifically prescribed by the code, provided the building official determines that the proposed alternate materials, appliances, equipment or methods of design or construction are at least equivalent of that prescribed in this code..." In other words, you might be able to use alternate construction methods or materials, provided you can prove - to the satisfaction of the building official - that your way is as good or better than what the code book prescribes.

NOTE: The home pictured to the left may not have met that criteria and, we assume, may not have a CO (Certificate of Occupancy).

It is important to keep in mind that building codes are adopted, modified and enforced by local politicians and government officials.

A great article on building codes titled Decoding Building Codes by Paul Fiesta will make you a virtual building code sleuth!

Finally, here's a list of permits you may need:

BUILDING PERMIT
ROOFING PERMIT
ELECTRICAL PERMIT
PLUMBING PERMIT
MECHANICAL PERMIT
GAS PERMIT
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT

There will be instructions on each, letting you know how to call for inspections and when. A final inspection on each of these, of course, will be made and a FINAL INSPECTION of the overall project will be necessary.

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