Provo City

Building Inspection - FAQs


When is a building permit required?

If the structure is changed a permit is required.  This includes if the floor, walls, roof, windows or doors are added, removed, or changed. If a system such as the electrical system is added to, the furnace is replaced, etc. a permit is needed.

Why are building permits needed?

The people of a city move on or pass away. The buildings make up the permanent city.  Only by having knowledgeable, qualified inspectors look at the buildings while they are under construction can the City be assured the buildings are durable and safe.

What does a permit cost?

The permit cost is based on the cost (valuation) of the construction.  We use a Table that charges so much per thousand dollars.  The permit cost is mainly used to cover the cost of the inspections.

A plan check fee of 65% of the building permit fee is charged to cover the cost of reviewing a plan before the permit is issued.  The plans are checked for problems drawn on the plan that must be corrected or missing information that must be added.

A state fee of 1% of the building permit fee is charged and sent to the state for training of inspectors and contractors. 

Who can prepare the plans?

For almost all commercial uses including apartments a state licensed architect or engineer must prepare the plans. For single family houses and garages anyone can draw the plans.  If we are presented a really poor set of plans we can require them to be redone by a professional. Generally, with a large single family dwelling, an engineer may have to size the beams and some of the connections.

Are there any areas of Provo that have specific concerns for builders or developers?

Yes. There are soil problems in specific areas of the city. So far we have not identified many "unbuildable" areas.  Some cost more to develop. The north east area is currently being evaluated for small land slides. Provo City Engineering and the State Geological Service are identifying those locations and the standards building plans will have to meet. All along the mountains there are faults that have to be identified and built around.  West of the Freeway there are several high water areas.  As we get too close to the lake there are "Wet Lands" that have been identified by the Federal government. Those areas are unbuildable.

What information is required on the plans?

See the checklists under Resources for Builders

What steps are required to obtain a commercial building permit?

TO OBTAIN A COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMIT YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

    1. Receive Planning Commission or Project Plan Approval. This takes at least six weeks.  Contact Jim Bryan 852-6404 or Matthew Taylor  852-6429 respectively.

    2. Submit a 24"X36" mylar reproducible Site Development Plan to the City Engineer. This mylar must address all Planning Commission or Project Plan Approval conditions. Submittal begins the review process. It must then be approved and signed by:

      a. Provo City Engineer 852-6740

      b. Water and Waste Water Engineer 852-6770

      c. Storm Water Engineer 852-6720

      NOTE: You are encouraged to keep in constant contact with the above offices to expedite their approval and signatures. Once the mylar is signed by all three offices deliver two copies to the Building Inspection office.

    3. Submit two complete sets of construction documents to the Building Inspection Division. These must include the following: 

      a. The approved and signed Site Development Plan

      b. Detailed floor plan with dimensions and room uses

      c. Detailed electrical plans include electric load report and one      line drawing

      d. Mechanical plans include gas pipe sizing and calculations

      e. Plumbing plans

      f. Wall sections

      g. Handicap accessibility details: Parking and signage, access to the building, doors and hardware, restroom (if the building will have ten or more persons, then 2 accessible restrooms will be required), ramp and elevator details.

      h. Energy calculations

        1. Model Energy Code for multifamily (MECcheck)

        2. ASHRAE 90.1 for commercial and institutional (COMcheck)

      NOTE: "Design Build" projects- each portion must be drawn, then stamped by a state licensed architect or engineer.  Then the plans must be submitted and approved before the permit is issued and the work can begin.

    4. Fill out a building permit application. The following information is required:

      a. The owners name, address, and phone number

      b. Job Site address

      c. County tax identification number

      d. Contractors name, address, phone number, license number and signature.

    5. Estimate the valuation of the project and pay a plan check fee based on that valuation

    6. Normal processing time for a building permit is four weeks.

FAST TRACK and DEFERRED SUBMITTALS

    Provo City does not encourage fast track construction. Special cases will be reviewed and may be approved to facilitate construction. To process a fast track application, items one to five above must be completed. The construction documents submitted must include all areas proposed for fast track construction. Copies of the approved and signed Site Development Plan mylar as outlined in item three must be included in the submittal.

 

What are the building codes?

Utah State and Provo City have adopted as state law and local ordinance the

      International Building Code  2006 Edition

      International Mechanical Code 2006 Edition

      International Plumbing Code  2006 Edition

      National Electric Code 2008 Edition

      International Fuel Gas Code 2006 Edition

      International Residential Code 2006 Edition

      International Fire Code 2006 Edition

      International Energy Conservation Code 2006 Edition