South Orange County Permit Process
How to get a Permit in South Orange County

  

Building Permits & The Process How to pull a building permit- Do I need a permit? Orange County Construction will handle pulling all of the proper permits for your room addition, kitchen remodel or home remodeling project. We make this part of the job easy for you. Working with the city takes a little bit of knowledge in the trades. Some cities will require that you pull separate permits for different trades and others will do what's called a 'combo permit' and this makes it a little easier. There is a mandatory state school tax that is taxed on all room additions that are 500 sq. ft. or over and that fee varies a little depending on your school zone. It doesn't matter if you have kids or not, it is mandatory. This fee needs to be paid before you pull your permits. You have to go to the building department first to pick up the proper form. Many contractors will charge extra for the service of pulling your permits. This is a service that is included when you hire Orange County Construction Construction. The entire process can take several hours, to a half a day and sometimes several trips back to the building department.

Step1 Find out if you need a permit. Small jobs--such as interior painting-- don't require one. On the other hand, projects involving construction, repair, improvement, modification or demolition usually mandate a permit. You may also need separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits. Call your city's building inspection office if you have any doubts.   Step2 Ask what you need to do to get the permit. Simple projects-- adding an outdoor light, for instance--may only require an over-the-counter permit if any at all. However, if the job calls for any addition, alteration or construction of a new structure, you may be required to have an architect submit formal plans before a building permit is issued. The architect will pull the permits for you (or at least help).   Step3 Head down to your city's building department for the appropriate paperwork. Some will have forms available on their sites for download that you can fax or mail in.   Step4 When you're ready to officially apply for the permit, bring along blueprints, architectural drawings, necessary installation literature from manufacturers, and the license number of the contractor doing the work. Most building departments will want to verify that the contractor has general liability insurance and proof of worker's compensation coverage, so get copies of those in advance to speed the approval process.   Step5 Pay up. Rates will vary according to the community but fees are pegged to the total value of the project. For example, expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a project costing $20,000.   Step6 Post the permit in the front window of your home or job site.   Step7 Depending on the size of the project, you may need to schedule interim inspections with the building department. Smaller projects, such as installing a wood stove, generally require one inspection on completion, but larger projects may have ten to twenty progress inspections.

What Types Of Inspection Are Required? If a grading permit is required for your project, inspections and clearance of the initial grading work by Public Works inspectors will precede any building construction inspections. The following construction inspections may be required: Foundation Inspection: When the excavation for footings is complete and footing forms and required reinforcing steel and structural embodiments are in place, but before any concrete is placed. (Also needed are separate underground electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspections). Roof Sheathing Inspection: When all roof framing members are installed and the plywood or other sheathing is complete. All plumbing and mechanical vents are installed and flashed. Wood Framing Inspection: When all roof, walls and floor framing, fire blocking, draft stopping and all pipes, chimney, vents and duct work are in place, but before any work is covered. Wood framing inspection will not be approved until rough mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections are completed. Insulation Inspection: When all thermal insulation is in place but before it is concealed. Inspect state energy requirements stated on the approved plans. Lath and/or Gypsum Board Inspection: After all lath and gypsum board is in place but before any stucco is applied, or before gypsum board joints and fasteners are taped and finished. Reinforced Masonry Inspection: In grouted masonry before any units are laid up, all steel must be tied and in place ready for concrete foundation pour. Grout inspection is required after units are laid. Final inspection is required after cells are grouted and cap is installed. Structural Steel Inspection: When structural steel members are in place and required connections are complete but before concealing any members or connections. Certificates of Compliance are to be given to the City Inspector. Re-roof Inspection: Sheathing inspection and building final inspection.  See the Re-roofing Requirements handout for more details. Electrical Inspection: Underground: After conduit or cable has been installed in trench but not covered. Rough wiring: Before any part of the work is concealed and prior to framing inspection. Telephone, television, intercom, security, doorbell and thermostat cable need to be in place for rough inspection. Compliance with Title 24 Requirements for Residential Lighting is checked. Final: When all fixtures, appliances, and systems are in place and connected. Plumbing Inspections: Underground or sub-floor plumbing: After material has been installed and tested, including sewer.  Sewer Cap, is inspected for demolition projects. Rough plumbing: Before any part of the work is concealed (including shower pan hot mop), prior to framing inspection and after roofing is installed. (Water Heater Installations). Gas piping test: After lath or gypsum board has been installed. Shower pan. Final: After all fixtures are in place and connected. Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Inspections: Underground/Sub-floor duct inspection. Rough: Before any part of the work is concealed, metal fireplace rough, prior to framing inspection and after roofing is installed. Final: All appliances and equipment are in place and connected.    Performance test may be required. VERY IMPORTANT: Public Works and Fire Department sign off may be required prior to requesting a Building Final Inspection.  See the inspection job card, contact the city inspector if you are not sure these inspections are necessary. Final Inspections: Call for final inspection when the construction has been completed. All external surfaces must be painted, or otherwise sealed, weather-stripping must be installed on all new windows and doors, and all electrical or plumbing fixtures have been installed. Interior painting, wallpapering, or carpeting need not be complete. Smoke detectors must be installed in all bedrooms, located at the top of a staircase and in the hallway/corridor leading to the bedrooms. You will need an address on the front of your house, a mail box & water heater straps in place. Certificate of Occupancy: Residential projects will not receive a C of O as your signed job card is your proof of final inspection/approval. NOTE: The above is an average, there may be some more inspections required for your project. Check your permit card closely and have it interpreted by the City if you don't understand it. EXAMPLE: Some cities required you to call for a 'scratch coat' inspection for the plaster and others don't require it. **Most of this information pertains to Orange County California and the following cities: ***The procedures and info mentioned above is subject to change without notice. Always check with the building department of the city you reside in. Aliso Viejo Anaheim Brea Buena Park Costa Mesa Cypress Dana Point Fountain Valley Fullerton Garden Grove Huntington Beach Irvine Laguna Beach Laguna Hills Laguna Niguel Laguna Woods La Habra Lake Forest La Palma Los Alamitos Mission Viejo Newport Beach Orange Placentia Rancho Santa Margarita Rossmoor San Clemente San Juan Capistrano Santa Ana Seal Beach Stanton Tustin Villa Park Westminster Yorba Linda OC Unincorporated Areas

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