Inspections - Commercial

Commercial Structure Inspection Process

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 issue.
10. Contractor comes to the Permit Counter, located at 600 Second Street NW, to request permit issuance from the Permit Technician.
11. Contractor goes to the Cashier for collection of the building permit fee.
12. Cashier collects the building permit fee (the park dedication fee, if applicable), verifies contractor’s City Occupation Tax payment and issues the building permit.
13. Contractor begins construction and calls for necessary interim inspections during construction progression (foundation, framing, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, insulation, structural, fire protection, etc.).
14. Inspectors (building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical) ensure that the building is constructed in accordance with approved plans during construction progression and issues final approvals.
15. Zoning, Solid Waste, Environmental Health, Hydrology, and Fire Marshal inspect and approve the final construction.
16. Applicant requests a certificate of occupancy after all the approvals have been secured.
17. Planning Research Coordinator will prepare the Certificate of Occupancy upon the approval of all City agencies.
18. A certificate of occupancy will be issued upon verification of compliance with City codes and ordinances.
19. Upon completion of the Certificate of Occupancy, the General Contractor and/or owner will post the certificate in a conspicuous place within the business.