Introductory text about guide - who, what, why
Audience: owner of a vacant residential building, working towards rehab and occupancy
Scope: information about City services and oversight related to vacant buildings and rehabs - Building Division, Forestry, PDA-CRO (historic districts) - from the point of acquisition to legal occupancy
Audience: owner of a vacant residential building, working towards rehab and occupancy
Scope: information about City services and oversight related to vacant buildings and rehabs - Building Division, Forestry, PDA-CRO (historic districts) - from the point of acquisition to legal occupancy
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PLANNING
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CONSTRUCTION
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CODE ENFORCEMENT
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OCCUPANCY
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Text about planning for your project, including property research
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Learn About Your Property |
Land Use & Zoning |
Historic Districts |
Introductory Text >> buttons link to separate pages of content
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Architects & Contractors |
Building Permit Requirements |
Trades Permit Requirements |
Introductory Text >> buttons link to separate pages of content
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Most Common Code Violations |
Code Violation Consequences |
City Services to Vacant Buildings |
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Filing an Appeal of Violations |
Municipal Collections |
Municipal Court |
Civil Court |
Information about Housing Conservation District Inspections
Vacant Building Rehab Step-By-Step
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1. Contact your district inspector.
Request a list of any outstanding code violations and the building’s condemnation status, and ask if your construction permits will require sealed drawings.
Most rehab projects require sealed drawings.
Construction drawings, prepared by an architect or structural engineer, must be submitted with building permit applications. Plans are reviewed by City offices for compliance with building codes, zoning laws, and historic district requirements.
Construction drawings, prepared by an architect or structural engineer, must be submitted with building permit applications. Plans are reviewed by City offices for compliance with building codes, zoning laws, and historic district requirements.
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2. Hire an architect to develop construction drawings.
3. Hire a general contractor.
4. Develop your Budget and Project Timeline
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If you are not hiring a general contractor, you will still need to hire licensed contractors for trades work: electric, plumbing, and mechanical.
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5. Apply for Building Permit
- Bring 5 copies of plans/drawings to the Building Division Permit Section, City Hall Room 425.
- Pay permit fee - cash, check or money order only.
6. Wait for Plan Review
- 1 day to 3 weeks
- Building Division
- Zoning
- Cultural Resources, if within a historic district
7. Prepare for Construction
- Pickup permit from Building Division.
- Place permit in plastic/weatherproof sleeving and attach to exterior of building, facing street. Keep a copy of construction drawings on site.
- Make note of your permit's expiration date (varies based on project). Extensions must be approved by your district inspector and working past the expiration can result in a stop work order and fine.
- Rent a construction dumpster.
- Call your inspector 24 hrs before the start of construction.
8. Hire Licensed Contractors for Trades Work: electric, plumbing and heating/air
- Trades permits are required for all construction related to electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems
- Trades permits are only issued to licensed contractors
9. Pass Inspections & Complete Permits
- After electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work is complete
- After general construction is complete
10. Pass Occupancy Inspection
- Housing Conservation District Inspection
