General Residential Permit exemptions#

Current Adopted Codes

Building Permit Process

1. One-story, detached, accessory structures for lawn and garden equipment storage, tool storage and similar uses, as well as arbors, pergolas, and similar structures, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15 m 2 ) or 8 feet (2.438 m) in height, do not house flammable liquids in quantities exceeding 10 gallons (38 l) per building and are located at least 3 feet (0.914 m) from an adjoining property line.

2. Fences not over 6 feet (1829 mm) high.

3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the low side grade to the top of the wall, provided the horizontal distance to the next uphill retaining wall is at least equal to the total height of the lower retaining wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.

4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.

5. Platforms intended for human occupancy or walking, sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and are not part of an accessible route.

6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.

7. Prefabricated and portable swimming or wading pools, hot tubs or spas supported directly upon grade when the walls are entirely above grade and which cannot contain water more than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.

8. Swings and other playground equipment, or play house/structure not exceeding 120 square feet. One elevated play house or play structure per lot designed and used exclusively for play. Elevated play houses or play structures shall not exceed 64 square feet (5.9 m 2 ) of floor area nor 6 feet (1.82 m) in height measured from the floor to the highest point of such structure.

9. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support and do not extend over the public right of way. Window replacement requiring no structural alteration or no change in the window configuration which reduces the clear opening, storm window, storm door and rain gutter installation, except that structures that are fifty years of age or older must undergo a historic review pursuant to City Code Chapter 14.

10. Decks, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4.

11. Roofing repair or replacement work not exceeding one square (100 square feet) of covering per building.

12. Replacement of nonstructural siding, when removal of siding is performed in accordance with State laws regarding asbestos and lead paint, except that structures that are fifty years of age or older must undergo a historic review pursuant to City Code Chapter 14.

13. Work valued at less than $500 when such work does not involve alteration of structural components, fire-rated assemblies, plumbing, electrical, mechanical or fire-extinguishing systems.

14. Decorative ponds, fountains and pools that cannot contain water more than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.

15. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems. Hoop houses constructed with a flexible frame such as PVC tubing used for starting plants.

Electrical#

1. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
2. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets therefor.
3. Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.
4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
5. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Fuel and Gas#

1. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnectedto a power grid.

Mechanical#

1. Portable heating appliances.
2. Portable ventilation appliances.
3. Portable cooling units.
4. Steam, hot- or chilled-water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative coolers.
7. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
8. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnectedto a power grid.

Plumbing#

1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures

General Commercial and Multi-Family permit exemptions#

Current Adopted Codes

Building Permit Process

Commercial Work Exempt from Permit

Electrical work exempt from permit#

1. Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection
of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
2. Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical
equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
3. Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system
required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.

Fuel and Gas work exempt from permit#

1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe

Mechanical work exempt from permit#

1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Portable ventilation equipment.
3. Portable cooling unit.
4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative cooler.
7. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75 kW) or less.

Plumbing work exempt from permit#

1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided that such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.