ABOUT YOUR BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT

About Your Building Inspection Department
Scope Building Codes Plan Submittal Procedures Plan Review
Fees Frequently Asked Questions Links To Other Sites

SCOPE

The specific functions of the Building Inspection Division are to provide logistical support; to review, approve, issue, and maintain various permits, records, correspondence, and inspections which fall within the jurisdiction of this division, as listed:

Commercial and residential -- new construction and interior remodels including all trades
Plan review of all projects as required
Electrical, plumbing, irrigation, fire protection, on-site utilities, and mechanical installations and repair
Driveway approaches and sidewalk installations
Fences and security walls
Commercial signs
Disabled parking sign placement, commercial parking lots
Certificates of Occupancy
Swimming pools, spas, hot tubs
Demolitions, tents, Christmas tree lots, snow cone stands
Accessory buildings, decks
Research building encroachments and provide applicable documentation
Abatement of unsafe/hazardous structures
Initiate legal action to enforce minimum standards of ordinances
Enforcement of applicable ordinances relating to the Building Inspection Department
Process Special House-moving requests and Temporary Use Permits.
Enforce adopted building codes.

The Chief Inspector is responsible for Building Codes compliance on construction of buildings, remodels and signs. This includes issuing permits and electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections. The Chief Inspector also provides technical assistance and city code information to property owners, contractors, engineers, and developers.

Back to the TOP of this Page

BUILDING CODES

CURRENT CODES	AMENDMENTS (ORDINANCE #)
2003 International Building Code	2005-08
2003 International Mechanical Code	2005-08
2003 International Plumbing Code	2005-08
2003 International Residential Code	2005-08
2002 National Electrical Code	2005-08
2003 International Fuel Gas Code	2005-08
2003 International Energy Conservation Code	2005-08
2003 International Property Maintenance Code	2005-08
2003 International Existing Building Code	2005-08
Sign Ordinance	2002-04
Landscape Ordinance	2002-04
Fence Ordinance	2002-04

Back to the TOP of this Page

PLAN SUBMITTAL PROCEDURES

Three sets of plans are required for plan review of new buildings and houses, remodels, additions, signs, pools and hot tubs/spas, and accessory buildings. There are no plan review waivers in the City of Saginaw.

Back to the TOP of this Page

PLAN REVIEW

New residence: approximately 5 working days

Residential remodel or addition: approximately 5 working days

   New commercial building or addition: 2-5 weeks.
   If the permit cannot be issued, comments will be faxed or e-mailed to the applicant.
   Revised plans are normally reviewed within a week of receiving the revisions.

Commercial remodel: 5-10 working days

*Note: Some permits require Fire Department approval.

Back to the TOP of this Page

FEES

Permits are required for most types of construction or remodeling. Citizens should contact the
Building Inspection Department at (817) 232-4640 to see if a building permit is required.

Plan Review: From 25% up to 50% of the permit fee, separate and in addition to regular permit fee. Fee applies to all new commercial and residential construction and commercial interior finish/remodels 2,501 sq. ft. and up, and residential construction 1,501 sq. ft. and up. Additional plan review required by changes, additions, or revisions to approved plans is $30.00 per hour, one hour minimum charge.

New Single Family Dwelling: See 1997 Uniform Administrative Code (Table 1-A)

Residential Alterations, Additions, Garages, Fire Damage, Storage Buildings over 120 sqft., etc.: See 1997 Uniform Administrative Code (Table 1-A)

Multi-Family (4 units and above): See 1997 Uniform Administrative Code (Table 1-A)

Complete Commercial Buildings: New buildings and additions

Commercial Interior finish, repairs, or remodels:

Commercial Shell Buildings:

Single trade permits (electrical, mechanical, and plumbing):

Certificate of Occupancy: Commercial only -- $20.

NOTICE

For parking ratios, landscaping, zoning, and platting contact the Economic Development Department at 817-232-4640 ext 1600.

Table 1-A - Building Permit Fees
Total Valuation	Fee

$1.00 to $500.00

$23.50

$501.00 to $2,000.00

$23.50 for the first $500.00 plus $3.05 for each additional $100.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000.00

$2,001.00 to $25,000.00

$69.25 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000.00

$25,001.00 to $50,000.00

$391.25 for the first $25,000.00 plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.00

$50,001.00 to $100,000.00

$643.75 for the first $50,000.00 plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.00

$100,001.00 to $500,000.00

$993.75 for the first $100,000.00 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.00

$500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00

$3,233.75 for the first $500,000.00 plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000.00

$1,000,001.00 and up

$5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $3.15 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof

Other Inspections and Fees

1. Inspections outside of normal business hours
(minimum charge - two hours)

$47.00 per hour *

2. Reinspection fees assessed under provisions of Section 305.8

$47.00 per hour *

3. Inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated
(minimum charge - one half hour)

$47.00 per hour *

4. Additional plan review required by changes, additions or revisions to plans
(minimum charge - one half hour)

$47.00 per hour *

5. For use of outside consultants for plan checking and inspections, or both

Actual cost **

* Or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is greatest. This cost shall include
supervision, overhead, equipment, hourly wages and fringe benefits of the employees
involved.

** Actual cost include administrative and overhead cost.

Back to the TOP of this Page

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q. How will I know when my permit is ready?
A. The Plans Examiner will call you as soon as it is ready. They will also call if there is a problem.

Q. What is being built at a certain location?
A. We can tell you what they plan on building as long as they have a building permit. However, preliminary dirt work or grading does not require a permit from the Building Inspections Dept. and therefore we may not know at this time what is planned.

Q. Has my inspection been done yet, and did it pass?
A. Inspectors leave tags at the job site that let the contractor know if it passed or not. If unable to locate the tag, call the appropriate inspector between 8:00-8:30 A.M., or between 4:30-5:00 P.M., or leave a message on the inspectors' voice mail.

Q. Do general contractors have to be registered or licensed in the City of Saginaw?
A. Yes, the city requires all contractors to register and provide proof of General Liability Insurance ($100,000 Completed Operations)

Back to the TOP of this Page

LINKS TO OTHER SITES

Saginaw Municipal Code On-Line
http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=11807&sid=43

Back to the TOP of this Page