- City Manager
- City Clerk
- City Attorney
- Finance
- Parks and Recreation
- Senior Services
- Marina
- Planning and Building
- Court
- Police
- Public Works / Engineering
Top Ten Building Questions
1. When is a Building Permit required?
Most improvements on a residential or commercial lot require a permit. The following are examples of those that do not.
Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.
1. One-story detached accessory structures, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.
2. Fences not over 6 feet high.
3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
5. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below.
6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
7. Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
8. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one or two-family dwelling.
9. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits may be required for the above exempted items. If in doubt please contact the Community Development Department, specifically the Building Division, for details. The main telephone number is (206) 870-7576.
2. Why should I have to follow any part of the building regulations on my own property?
As a free nation, many people feel that their home is their castle. In many ways they are correct. As with any freedom, when the exercising of your freedom begins to endanger others or place those around you in an unsafe condition, your freedom diminishes. The building standards and regulations are in place to provide a reasonable minimum level of safety for all. Another important issue is that buildings are a commodity to be bought and sold. Having a uniform set of building standards will help to ensure value and to protect your investment.
3. Who sets the fees?
The fees for the permitting service provided are set by city ordinance and approved by the city manager. It is essentially a user fee, which means that the fees collected for the permit are used to pay for the cost of performing and administering the inspection program.
4. Do I need a permit to open a new business in an existing building?
Yes. A permit is required to change the use of an existing building. A change of occupancy classification or use of any building requires the approval of the Building Official according to Section 3406.1 International Building Code, 2003 Edition. In order to secure that approval, several areas of the building may need structural changes, additional fire protection, or zoning code upgrades as required by the code for the proposed occupancy. This occurs most frequently when a residence is converted to a commercial use or any other commercial use is converted to an assembly occupancy (churches, restaurants, classroom facilities etc.). A change in occupancy requires that the building comply with all current codes if the proposed use is more hazardous (as determined by the Building Official) than that of the existing use.
5. Is a permit required for a storage shed?
Yes. Exception--A one-story detached accessory building used as a tool and storage shed, playhouse, or similar use, that does not exceed 200 square feet max of floor area is exempt from a building permit. However, a storage building must still be reviewed by the Community Development Department to see that it meets minimum requirements. The storage building must be built according to the 2009 International Building Code requirements and the City of Des Moines zoning regulations. If a permit is not required, there is no fee for this service. Any electrical or plumbing work associated with the storage shed will require a permit and inspection. If you have any questions specific to the construction of the storage building, the Building Division staff is here to help.
Be aware that there are setback requirements, places on your lot where no construction is allowed, and setbacks from other buildings and environmentally sensitive areas, such as streams, bluffs, etc. These regulations vary from zone to zone according to the municipal regulations. Homeowners are responsible for placing storage buildings appropriately on their property. Before bringing your plan into the Community Development for review, you must know where your property lines are located.
By taking the time to properly investigate the requirements for installing a storage shed, you will save yourself the time and expense of having to tear down or relocate a storage building that is improperly placed or constructed on your property.
6. How do I apply for a permit?
The application process is tailored to the specific project and will vary depending on the scope of the project. Your first step would be to contact the Planning, Building, and Public Works Department, specifically the Building Division. The Planning and Building Division staff is available in person for the prescreening and intake of plans, plan revisions, and deferred submittals between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. only, Monday – Friday. During those hours, the staff will be able to aid you with explaining the application and review process for your specific project. Plans, revisions, or deferred submittals brought in outside of those hours will not be accepted. The staff is available at other times by scheduling an appointment with the appropriate person. Please contact the Building Division office directly at (206) 870-7576 to obtain more information.
7. What Building Code do you use?
The currently adopted building code is the 2009 International Building Code. The building code is always being updated as building practices change and new materials are introduced. This process or updating occurs on a three-year cycle. Using the most current building code available has an impact on the insurance rates of the people residing within the city.
8. How long does it take to get a building permit?
10. Does Des Moines have an electrical inspection program?
The time will vary depending on the size and complexity of your project. If you supply a complete submission and meet all the requirements, a very simple project could be completed in a short amount of time. For more complex projects the applicant must allow ample time for project scheduling and work closely with the review staff to limit the review time to as little as possible. Due to the unusually high number of plans which have been submitted in recent months, the timeline for obtaining a permit has increased. Please contact us for information regarding the approximate wait time involved for your individual project at (206) 870-7576.
9. How do I schedule an inspection
To request an inspection, call our Automated Inspection Line at (206) 870-6531. You will need the following information: permit number, job site address, contact name with phone number, and the type of inspection requested. You may state if your preference is for a morning or afternoon inspection. Although we do our best to honor such requests, we can not guarantee you will receive your requested time. No same day inspections will be scheduled. The cut off time for calling in a next day inspection is 2:00pm. Any requests left after that time may not be checked until 2:00pm on the following day.
Yes. The City of Des Moines Building Division has an electrical program that has been up and running since 1995. The electrical review and inspection staff is highly experienced and qualified and stands ready to assist you with your electrical permitting, plan review, and inspection needs.
| |
||||||||
|
||||||||
