How Long Will It Take To Get My Building Plans Approved ?
Depending on the type of permit , the review time will vary . The
Plan Review Times can be found on the City ’ s Planning and Development website . If you are new to this process , you can schedule an appointment with city staff to go over your submittal documentation . This will ensure your plans are accurate and ready for review . Your building permit will be granted once your plans meet city building codes . If there are problems with your submittal , your dedicated project manager will provide you with a list of deficiencies that will have to be addressed prior to getting your building permit approved . Staff will help you by performing timely reviews .
What Happens When I Receive My Building Permit ?
Once your contractor downloads the issued permit and citystamped plans from ArlingtonPermits . com , construction can begin . If you have a contractor , they will need to register with the city at the One Start Center before they can obtain a permit if they have previously registered . The general contractor will be responsible for scheduling required inspections . During the inspection process , staff can assist both the property owner and / or contractor on completing their projects in accordance with City of Arlington building codes .
Inspectors work closely with other regulatory bodies in the city , such as the Fire Marshal ’ s Office and Health Services , to ensure all applicable local regulations are followed .
Are There Additional Considerations To Open / Expand A Commercial Business ?
• Back Flow Assembly
Back flow prevention assemblies are required at all commercial facilities , irrigation systems , and construction meters . The purpose of the back-flow prevention assembly is to protect the public water supply and to protect the customers and employees inside of the business . Reduce Pressure Zone ( RPZ ) Back Flow Assembly is required on the incoming water line to any commercial facility . RPZ ’ s are required to be installed at carbonated beverage machines and any other point-of-use application regarded as a high health hazard .
• ADA Compliance
Most buildings are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) and the Texas Architectural Barriers Act , which is the State of Texas ’ version of the ADA . New buildings and parking areas must be fully compliant with accessibility design standards . For existing buildings , the level of compliance often depends on the scope of work being performed .
On any job that has a construction value that exceeds $ 50,000 , the project must be registered with the State of Texas through Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ( TDLR ), and the accessibility plan review and inspections are performed by a Registered Accessibility Specialist hired by the owner , architect , or general contractor . The project number provided by TDLR must be included on the building permit application .
• Zoning Requirements
Even if your business is a permitted use in the specified zoning district , an expansion could trigger compliance with additional zoning requirements such as parking , landscaping , or commercial design standards . After discussing the project with staff at the One Start Center , it may be determined that a pre-submittal meeting is necessary to discuss the project in more detail .
The pre-submittal meeting offers an applicant the opportunity to explore project viability , major requirements , fees , timeframes , and overall processing issues before filing an application , preparing detailed plans , and committing other time and resources . The goal of this early consultation is to help applicants understand and improve the flow and compliance of projects as they move through the City ’ s review system . The pre-submittal meeting application can be found on the city ’ s website .
• Fire Department Requirements
Fire Permit requirements vary based upon the business type and the business operation .
It is beneficial for applicants to be very detailed when describing their business and the operations inside the business . By doing so , the plans examiner can accurately review your business plans and practices and let you know what Fire Department requirements will be required .
Fire Permits must be applied for by a licensed contractor , and inspections for fire permits must be scheduled by the contractor doing the work . Examples of fire permits are fire alarm , fire sprinkler system , kitchen hood suppression systems , special extinguishing systems and access control systems . The contractor ’ s plans must be turned in and approved prior to work being done . Plans can be turned in for review at the One Start Center . After plans have been approved and work is completed , an inspection can be scheduled . Typically , inspections can be
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