Secure Building Permit

Each community has its own rules on obtaining a building permit. The process can be the most frustrating part of development. Don't give up! City approval is essential to continuing on with your project. Below is a chart of a typical building permit process.

Printable Chart

You'll first need to find out from your city what steps are needed to achieve a building permit. Here are some important questions to ask your building department:

• What zoning applies to self storage?
• Do I need to apply for a conditional use permit for my parcel?
• What are the steps I need to follow to get planning approval and how long will it take?
• What types of plans are required for initial submittal to the building department (electrical/HVAC, landscaping, water drainage, etc.)?
• What rules or restrictions should I apply when laying out my site plan (firewalls, multi-story restrictions, square footage allowed per building, ADA requirements, etc.)?
• Do I need to include an architectural rendering with the site plan?
• What are all of the building permits that will be required and what are their fees?
• Who must approve the permits (zoning board, building inspector, architectural review committee, fire marshal, highway department for driveway apron access, etc.)?
• Do I need a soil report?
• Do I need a sewage hook-up permit for the office?
• What regulations do I have to follow to comply with the American Disability Act?
• What are signage restrictions?
• Are site inspections required? If so, you will have to hire a local engineer for this task.
• What are the steps to acquire an occupancy permit and who signs off on them?

After you fully understand all intricacies of the process, fill out the permit application. Be sure to read each detail carefully to avoid any delays.

Next, your site plan must be approved by the planning department. Most often, the planning department will require an engineered site plan that illustrates elevations of foundations, water drainage, building layouts that conform to the set backs, entrance and exit locations, etc. Contact Trachte to develop a complete foundation and building plan that states all codes and other parameters the building design follows (code type, building type, use group, roof loading, wind loading, firewall compliance, ADA compliance, etc.). The plan will be stamped by a registered engineer for your state or province. The costs of these plans vary based on complexity. You will also need to submit the following documents to Trachte early in the process so we can design your building as accurately and cost-effective as possible:

1. Soil report – provides us with the soil-bearing pressure of your land to determine the type of foundation needed for your site
2. Grading plan – confirms size and location of any steps in the foundation
3. Office layout – including door/window sizes and locations

The other items you will have to include with your submission are an engineered site plan depicting the finished floor elevations and water drainage, an architectural plan for the office interior, and the HVAC and electrical plan for the entire site.

Once initially approved by the building inspector, copies of your materials including your engineered site plan, electrical HVAC plan, landscaping plan, and office plan will be held by your building inspector. Now you can begin construction, however, keep in mind that inspections will be performed throughout your building process to ensure your compliance. At any point, your building permit can be revoked.

If you feel the building permit process is too daunting, it may be beneficial to hire a professional to expedite the approval process. Trachte has formed an alliance with Varco Pruden, the second largest metal building dealer in the United States. VP has over 1,000 dealers to assist you in the building process.

Ready for the next step? Now it's time to Construct Your Facility.