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- Building Permits
- New Construction / Remodel
New Construction / Remodel
A building permit is required to build a new structure, alter, or add on to an existing structure, or for lease space finish-outs. The permitting process is divided into two parts which are the plan review and inspections. The first part includes applying for the permit, plan review and approval, and obtaining the permit. The second part includes the construction and inspections. A permit is not complete until it receives final inspection approval. Permit applications and plans may be submitted in person or be mailed in. The plans will be submitted to the Development Services Department for review.
Site Plan Information Checklist:
- Owner’s name and project address shown
- Plans must be drawn to scale
- Plans must show dimensions, bearing of all property lines and total square footage or acreage of site
- North direction arrow must be provided
- All existing and proposed structures must be shown with building dimensions and distances from property lines
- Access (driveways) must be shown with dimensions
- To construct a private driveway or to revise any existing driveway onto a state regulated highway right-of-way, a permit shall be obtained from the State Highway Department. No building permit from the city shall be issued until the state access permit is secured
- All recorded public easements (sewer, water, gas, electrical, etc.) shall be shown and properly dimensioned
- Public streets shall be shown with pavements width, curb, or ditch location, sidewalk location and width, and right-of-way width.
- Site landscaping shall be shown with dimensions tree sizes (if applicable), and total square footage of landscaped areas noted. See Article 7 of the Huntsville Development Code
- Show square footage of all landscaped areas
- Show location, type, and size of all canopy trees
- Show type, location and ground cover, shrubs and non-canopy trees
- Landscaped buffer yards between two conflicting land uses shall be shown with dimensions and tree sizes (if applicable). See Article 7 Huntsville Development Code
- Parking areas must be clearly shown and dimensioned. See Article 6 Huntsville Development Code
- Trash dumpster pad(s) and enclosures must be shown. All dumpsters’ pads shall be angled for front loading dumpster trucks. When two or more dumpster pads are required, each dumpster shall face the same direction. See 7.600 of Article 7 of Huntsville Development and Solid Waste Standards
- No portion of a building shall be located more than 500 feet from a fire hydrant (measured by true travel distance)
- For commercial driveway culverts, engineered information shall be provided on-site and drainage on-site and drainage plan for water flow and erosion control
Engineering Civil Design:
Note: requirements A. through D. must be satisfied by submitting a separate combined grading and drainage plan prepared by an engineer. Site topography, grading, and drainage requirements for High Density Residential, Commercial and Industrial construction.
- Provide topographic data of the existing property conditions showing ground elevation contours, natural drains; key elevations along property line, curbs, roadside ditches, culverts, etc.; all existing buildings.
- Show all proposed grading (excavation and fill) slopes, retaining walls, site drainage patterns and drainage improvements. Show calculations for drainage improvement sizing and describe proposed erosion control measures. Show total cut and fill quantities for earth work.
- Show proposed elevation for all finished floors, ground elevations at building corners and key elevations for other proposed structures.
- Provide a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the site (drainage study), performed by a Registered Engineer in the state of Texas.
Building Construction Plan and Specification Checklist:
- Show job location on plans
- Give name of person responsible for plans
- Submit fully dimensioned and to scale plans, please provide two copies
- Com/check energy report
- Commercial design and plans will fall under the rules of the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and the Texas Board of Engineers in regard to when seals are required
- If a professional engineer and/or architect is deemed necessary, then seal, signature and date must appear on each page of each set of plans (wet seal)
- When requested, structural calculations must be submitted to justify the adequacy of the structural system in resisting seismic and wind loads, and supporting dead and live loads
- Design loads must follow Chapter 16 of the Int. Building code (wind speed of 100 mph must be met)
- Partition layout and details must be submitted to justify compliance with occupancy, fire-resistive, structural and exit requirements
- Use of rooms must be specified
- Every commercial building which is open to the public shall comply with Texas Accessibility Standard. Plans must be submitted to the state or a licensed private reviewer for handicap accessibility verification if the cost of the project exceeds $50,000. The TAS registration must be submitted with the plans
- Electrical plan required. Lighting, power, panel schedule, and a one-line diagram of the electrical service shall be included on all commercial plans
- The main electrical disconnect shall be located on the outside of the building
- Lighting efficiency must comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code. Com/check lighting report
- Plumbing plan required. Plan shall contain ground and riser system (isometric diagrams) for commercial
- Mechanical plan required. Includes duct layout, equipment location, equipment schedule
- Mechanical design must also comply with the 2015 International Energy Code. Com/ check energy report
- Manual S, D, J
- Fire extinguishing system plans shall be submitted for approval by the City of Huntsville before beginning modifications or new installation
Food Service Establishments:
- Equipment layout plans and equipment schedules must be included within the plans for health authority review
- Submit Standard Operation Procedures for Food Establishments
- Submit a copy of the restaurant menu for review
Documentation:
- Construction material specifications required
- Energy compliance reports for the envelope, lighting, and HVAC must accompany plans
A building permit is required to build a new structure, alter or add on to an existing structure, or for lease space finish-outs. The permitting process is divided into two parts which are the plan review and inspections. The first part includes applying for the permit, plan review and approval, and obtaining a permit. The second part includes the construction and inspections. A permit is not complete until it receives final inspection approval. Permit applications and plans may be submitted in person or be mailed in. The plans will then be submitted to the building official and/ or planner for review.
Site Plan Submittal Checklist:
- Plan must be drawn to scale if not smaller than 1” = 50ft
- Plans must show dimensions, bearing of all property lines and total square footage or acreage of site
- North direction arrow must be provided
- All existing and proposed structures must be shown with building dimensions and distances from property lines (setbacks)
- Access (driveways) must be shown with dimensions, shape and location
- All recorded public easements (sewer, water, gas, electrical, etc.) must be shown and properly dimensioned
- Public streets shall be shown with pavement width, curb or ditch location, sidewalk location and width, and right-of-way width
- Septic system and/or water well must be shown with size and location. A design by an engineer or registered sanitarian will be required before septic system location is approved
- Site topography, grading and drainage requirements for Standard Single Family and Duplex Residential constructions
- Show existing ground elevation at all property corners, building corners, top of adjacent curb and ditch flowlines, as a minimum
- Show proposed finished floor elevations for house and garage, proposed lot drainage patterns and drainage improvements
- Show total cut and fill quantities for earth work if applicable
- Parking areas must be clearly shown and dimensioned. Two parking spaces per residential (18’x19’, up to three bedrooms, plus one for each additional bedroom)
Building Plan Checklist:
Foundation Drawings:
- Layout showing beam locations and pier (if applicable) locations
- Beam details showing cross-sectional view with beam widths and depths
- Show reinforcement type, size, and placement for beams and piers
- Details for the slab which include depth and reinforcement
Floor Plan:
- Must include dimensions of all rooms with notation of what each room will be used for
Framing Plan:
- Show details of roof framing that includes size, grade, and proposed spans
- Ceiling and floor joist size, grade and proposed spans must be shown
- If truss are used, engineered sealed truss drawings with placement plan is required
Electrical Plan:
- Show location of all fixtures and panels
- Show size of service
Mechanical HVAC:
- It must include size, type, location of equipment and size, type, and layout of ducts. Plans must be accompanied with computer software generated information that verifies the HVAC system (including ducts) has been designed and sized in accordance with the ACCA’s manuals S, J, and D.
Elevation Drawings:
- Front, rear, left, and right-side elevations of house must be shown
Energy Requirements:
- Energy compliance report must be submitted (res/check)
Plumbing:
- Show location of all plumbing fixtures (i.e. sinks, water, closets, water heaters tub/showers, etc.)
Gas:
- Homes containing gas appliances, provide gas pipeline sizing and calculations.
