A GUIDE TO OBTAINING A BUILDING PERMIT
|
Click on any topic to find out information provided by the |
The Intent of Building Permits.
In Texas, a City's "police power" authority enables a
municipality to regulate building construction and usage for the benefit of the health,
safety, morals and overall welfare of the community. In this pursuit, a building
permit serves as certification that the provisions of all applicable city ordinances, city
codes, and other requirements shall be met as per review of the building plans as well as
on-site inspections. In essence, providing for the requirement of a building permit
serves as a code enforcement tool.
Code enforcement is used to uphold established minimum building standards to insure the
safety of the occupants and to secure the character of the City's districts consistent
with a Comprehensive Plan.
Permits are required whenever there is a desire to construct, enlarge, alter, repair,
move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure; or to erect, install,
enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical,
plumbing or structural elements of a building in which the installation is regulated by
the technical codes.
All work that requires permits shall be done by licensed contractors which are registered
with the City of Harlingen to perform such work. Registration is required for the
following:
General Contractor
Electrician
Plumber
Mechanical
Curb Breaker
House Mover
A permit to build may be issued provided the following codes are to be adhered to:
1.
International Building Code |
6. Standard Swimming Pool
Code |
A schedule of permit fees is available on request at the Building Inspection Department, City Hall.
PROPOSED BUILDING PLANS REQUIRED
Two sets of the proposed building plans shall be submitted to the Chief
Building Official for review. One set will become a permanent record.
The following will comprise one set of the required plans (all drawings and
specifications shall be drawn to scale):
1. Plot Plan |
6. Roof Section: Rafter Layout or *Engineered |
* (Require official
engineer's seal.)
** (Only if building on Flood Plain).
After all required Plans have been properly submitted, they will be reviewed between 2 to 14 days (depending on complexity and/or size) for the following basic criteria:
|
1. Building Setbacks and Easements |
6.
Mechanical (AC) |
1. Non-Combustible, 4-Hour
Fire Resistance |
4. Non-Combustible, Steel/Metal |
A = Assembly |
I = Institutional |
R-1 = Residential,
Single Family |
O = Offices-Professional and Business Adminis. |
After being notified, the City
generally will, within 48 hours - two
working days - make an inspection.
There are two general classes of inspections: Residential Inspections and Commercial
Inspections.
The following are the required inspections by class and are listed by the sequence
generally followed:
1. Temporary Power
Poles
2. Plumbing/Underslab or Floor; Setbacks
3. Height of Slab *(18" or more above top of
curb)
4. Slab or Floor
5. Building Sewer or Yard line
6. Curb-break Width and Reinforcement
7. Rough Electrical Framing, Plumbing, A.C., Gas
8. Final Inspection
1. All inspections as
listed under "Residential Inspections"
2. Tenant Separation
3. Fire Wall Inspection
4. Sprinkler
5. Grease-trap Inspection (relates to schools,
restaurants, etc.)
6. Reconnect Inspection
7. Parking Spaces, Handicapped Parking Spaces and
Ramps
8. Landscaping
* May be higher if building is located in the Flood Plain
This information is intended merely as a general guide for those requesting a building permit. It is strongly suggested that you contact the City's Building Inspection Department for further information and elaboration.
Raul Flores, Chief Building Official, (956) 427-8730
Eddie Olvera, Plans Examiner, (956) 430-6641
Irma G. Herrera, Permit Writer, (956) 430-8103
Glenda Ramirez, Permit Writer, (9560 427-8730
Luis A. Ramos, Building Inspector, (956) 430-6657
Jeramy Monreal, Building Inspector, (956) 430-6684
Melissa Govea, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement, (956) 427-8730
Notice - Line - Spotting
Request
During any building construction, prior to any digging, trenching, or other excavation being done on any right of way or easement, it is strongly urged that you contact the following numbers to request "line-spotting" service.
Line-spotting is done free of charge by the respective utility companies as listed below:
| COMPANY AND PHONE NUMBER TO CALL |
INFORMATION NEEDED | NOTICE REQUIRED |
|
Water/Sewer |
Date of Excavation Time of Excavation Place of Excavation Name of Construction Company |
24 hours |
|
Central Power & Light Co. |
Date of Excavation Time of Excavation Place of Excavation Nature of Construction |
No Time Limit, however, prefer at least 24 hours Notice, not to include weekends and/or holidays. |
|
TCI Cablevision |
Date of Excavation Time of Excavation Place of Excavation Name of Construction Company a) Contact Person b) Phone Number |
24 Hours Notice Required, not to include weekends and/or holidays. |
|
TEXAS ONE CALL SYSTEM |
Date of Excavation Time of Excavation Place of Excavation a) Specific Address or b) Road Name and Specific Location Nature of Construction Name of Construction Company a) Contract Person b) Phone Number Whom doing work for. |
48 Hours Notice Required, not include weekends or holiday; if less, no guarantee of service. |
In any case, should damage (regardless of how minimal) occur to any utility within any right of way or easement, the above number corresponding to the utility line damaged should be called to report damage and request repairs.
Top of Page | BUILDING INSPECTIONS
(c) copyright 2004, City of Harlingen
