Inspections - Commercial

How It Works

Procedures for permitting and inspecting a commercial structure:

1. The process begins with submission of two sets of plans, specifications, and computations

2. Planning Assistant places the information sheet on the plans

3. Address Verification Specialist establishes the legal address

4. Cashier collects plan check fees and flood plain ordinance fees

5. Document Locator distributes plans for the City Plan Check Process:

• Zoning Review: approves or rejects plans for compliance with zoning code and zoning
  auxiliary ordinances, refuse ordinance and establishes park dedication fee
• International Building Code Review: approves or rejects plans for compliance with
  building code, fire protection, structural, seismic, accessibility and auxiliary codes
• Plumbing, Mechanical, & Electrical Review: approves or rejects plans for compliance
  with plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy conservation, boiler and elevator codes
• Transportation Development Review: approves or rejects plans for traffic safety, curb
  cuts, parking lot access, clear sight corners, etc.
• Environmental Health Review: approves or rejects plans for compliance with food
  protection, swimming pool & air pollution ordinances, etc.
• Hydrology Review:determines if the drainage plan/report (separate submittal) has been
  approved or rejected
• Fire Marshal Review: approves or rejects plans for compliance with International Fire
• Code, fire hydrant requirements and auxiliary fire codes
• Solid Waste Review: determines if requirements for solid waste receptacles are met

6. Document Locator phones the designer to notify that the City Plan Check Process has been completed

7. Designer reviews plans for comments technical plan reviewers, corrects plans and presents plans to each city agency for approval sign-off

8. Document Locator verifies and coordinates with the designer that all approvals are secured

9. Designer notifies the contractor that the plans have been approved and the building permit is ready to be issued

10. Contractor comes to the Permit Counter, located at 600 Second Street NW, to request permit issuance from the Permit Specialist

11. Planning Assistant completes the building permit form, writes an inspection report card, issues one set of plans to contractor and verifies the contractor’s state license

12. Contractor goes to the Cashier for collection of the building permit fee

13. Cashier collects the building permit fee (the park dedication fee, if applicable), verifies contractor’s City Occupation Tax payment and issues the building permit

14. Contractor begins construction and calls for necessary interim inspections during construction progression (foundation, framing, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, insulation, structural, fire protection, etc.)

15. Inspectors (building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical) ensure that the building is constructed in accordance with approved plans during construction progression and issues final approvals

16. Zoning, Solid Waste, Environmental Health, Hydrology, and Fire Marshal inspect and approve the final construction

17. Applicant requests a certificate of occupancy after all the approvals have been secured

18. Planning Assistant coordinates approvals with all City agencies and prepares a certificate of occupancy

19. A certificate of occupancy is issued, verifying compliance with City codes and ordinances

20. Building tenants take occupancy of the completed building

Contact Us

• For more information on the commercial inspection and permitting process, please call 505-924-3320.
• For more information, contact the Building Inspection section at (505) 924-3320