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 Services 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 or online at ArlingtonPermits. com before they can obtain a permit if they have not 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. Reduced Pressure Zone( RPZ) Back Flow Assembly is required on the incoming water line to any commercial facility. RPZs 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-Development Consultation is necessary to discuss the project in more detail.
The Pre-Development Consultation 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 submitted for review at ArlingtonPermits. com. After plans have been approved and work is completed, an inspection can be scheduled. Typically, inspections can be scheduled within three days of the call-in request.
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