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I have an idea for a food related business that I want
to open. Could an Environmental Health representative meet me at
the location I've chosen and tell me if it is suitable and what
I need to do to meet the ordinance requirements?
Although the ordinances administered by the Consumer Protection
Division are unilaterally enforceable or "stand alone"
ordinances, the representatives who work within the Building Safety
Division's plan review and construction inspection activities do
so as part of a team. It is, therefore, the policy of the Construction
Services Section not to conduct unilateral inspections.
I have drawn some plans for my project. May I submit them
directly to the Consumer Health Protection Division?
It is extremely rare that a project will not involve programs administered
by other agencies. The best way to ensure that your project will
encounter no difficulties is to submit your drawings to the Building
Safety Division's plan review process. They will be routed to the
Consumer Health Protection Division and any other administrative
agency representative as part of the normal review process.
Do I need an architect to prepare my plans?
Environmental Health's ordinances do not require that an architect
prepare the plans. Those Building Safety Division plan review representatives,
who administer the Uniform Building Code, will determine what the
acceptable manner of submission is. Experience has shown, however,
that those projects which have had the benefit of a qualified design
professional, have been completed on time and with fewer difficulties
than those without.
What requirements does Environmental Health's Consumer
Health Protection Division have concerning exhaust hoods and grease
traps?
Environmental Health's ordinances address the issue of maintenance
of such equipment not the need for, or design of these types of
equipment installations. Such issues are addressed by criteria contained
in the Uniform Mechanical and Uniform Plumbing Codes respectively.
Additionally, some hood installations may require additional features,
which are necessary to meet Albuquerque Fire Department criteria.
How long does it take to get my plans through the Environmental
Health plan review?
Statistically, from 1985 to the present, the initial plan review
retention time by AEHD Construction Services Section has been an
average of 0.4 day(s), based on records maintained by the Building
Safety Division.
What happens after I obtain my building permit? How do
I get my business open and obtain a permit, from Environmental Health,
to operate?
Environmental Health Construction Services Section representatives, in
addition to reviewing the plans for the project, also conduct inspections
during the construction and final inspection phases of the project. The
construction inspections are conducted informally and in such a manner
as are non-disruptive to the contractor. When the contractor believes
that the project is ready for the final inspection leading to the issuance
of a Certificate of Occupancy, he will contact Environmental Health's
Construction Services Section, who, with the other agencies involved will
conduct the inspection. Once the Certificate of Occupancy has been issued,
it becomes the responsibility of the owner or manager to contact the AEHD
Consumer Protection Division (505) 768-2638 to arrange for an operational
inspection and initiate the documentation necessary for the issuance of
a Permit to operate. It is extremely important that this contact be made
as far in advance as practical in order to avoid delays in opening.