Kentwood Inspections Department
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is a building permit required? Answer
- When is a permit not required? Answer
- Must I be a licensed builder to obtain a Building Permit? Answer
- How can I be sure the builder I hired is licensed? Answer
- Does the City of Kentwood have an energy code? Answer
- Are all residential buildings covered by the energy code? Answer
- What are the prescriptive requirements of the energy code? Answer
- I received several pieces of paper when I got my permit. What should I do with it? Answer
- Who do I call to get an inspection? Answer
- What inspections are required? Answer
- What is the minimum footing depth? Answer
- Where are egress windows required? Answer
- What are the requirements for egress windows? Answer
- When and where are smoke detectors required? Answer
- I would like to build a deck at my home. What information do I need to bring to the Plan Reviewer? Answer
- I would like to build a garage at my home. What information do I need to bring the Plan Reviewer to get my permit? Answer
- I would like to build an addition to my home. What information do I need to bring the Plan Reviewer to get my permit? Answer
- I 'm working on the addition to my home for which I already have a building permit. But I realized I'm going to have to notch some studs/joists as well as bore some holes in a few of these. Are there limits on the amount of notching and boring that can be done? Answer
- Does the building permit cover all work required for my project? Answer
- How long do I have to finish my project? Answer
Answers
1. When is a building permit required?
A building permit is required whenever a building is erected, altered, enlarged, structurally repaired, moved, or converted to different use group (as defined in the building code). Additionally, a permit is required for.· Replacement windows or doors when the opening size is altered.
· Pools that are more than 50 square feet and/or more than 24 inches deep.
· Decks (including porches) slabs on grade
· Garages or carports.
· Fences You should check with the Planning Office at 554-0810 about zoning restrictions.
· Swimming Pools
· Hot-tubs
2. When is a permit not required?
A permit is not required for:· Sheds less than 120 square feet. You should check with the Planning Office at 554-0810 about zoning restrictions.
· Painting, wallpapering, or other similar finishes.
· Window awnings that are supported by the building and that do not project more than 54 inches from the wall.
· Replacement windows, doors, or storm doors when the opening size is not altered.
· Prefabricated above ground pools or in ground pools that are less than 50 square feet and less than 24 inches deep.
3. Must I be a licensed Builder to obtain a Building Permit?
A property owner may obtain a building permit for work to be done at his or her own property without being licensed.
If the work is being done on someone else's residence or by someone else on your residence, then a licensed builder must obtain the permit. Occasionally a contractor will suggest that the homeowner obtain the permit because it's cheaper or easier. BE CAREFUL, permit fees are the same regardless of who obtains the permit, and the applicant to whom the permit is issued is legally responsible for compliance of the work with the Code.
4. How can I be sure the builder I hired is licensed?
Ask to see his/her license or for his/her license number. Any reputable builder will be glad to give you this information. You can then check the license by following the link "Verify License" to check the status. If you wish, you can also search by name. Read the directions carefully. You may have to use "wildcards" in the search.
Additionally, you may wish to ask the contractor if he/she is a member of the local Home Builders Association or Remodelor's Council. Reputable contractors are interested in maintaining professionalism in the industry.
5. Does the City of Kentwood have an energy code?
The City of Kentwood enforces the Michigan Uniform Energy Code (Part 10 Michigan Building Code Rules).
6. Are all residential buildings covered by the energy code?
The following non commercial buildings are exempt from the energy code.· A residential building or portion of a residential building that has an intended maximum rate of energy usage less than 3.4 Btu/h per square foot of floor area for all purposes.
· A residential building or a portion of a residential building that is not heated or mechanically cooled.
· An existing building.
· An alteration of any existing residential building or portion of a residential building.
· An addition to any existing residential building.
· An existing residential building moved into or within the City. A manufactured building shipped for installation in the City is not considered a moved building.
Buildings not meeting one of the exceptions above would have to comply with either the prescriptive requirements or a systems approach for the entire building performance.
7. What are the prescriptive requirements of the energy code?
In the City of Kentwood which is located in zone 5A, the following minimum requirements would need to be met. Walls R13
Roof/ceiling R30
Floors over unconditioned spaces R21
Slab on grade floors
Unheated slabs R5
Heated slabs R10
Crawl space walls R5
Finished lower level walls R5
Exposed basement walls
Greater than 7% of gross exterior
wall area (GWA) R5
Fenestrations/openings
Up to & including 15% GWA R1.9
15% to 20% GWA R2.5
greater than 20% GWA Refer to the Rules
8. I received several pieces of paper when I got my permit. What should I do with it?
You received a white computer print out that is the actual Building Permit, a required inspection checklist (the yellow or white sheet attached to the permit), a photo or carbon copy of the completed application, and a heavy paper weather card. The weather card should be posted at the job site so that it is visible from the street. You may also have an approved set of construction drawings, depending on the project. Approved construction drawings should be kept at the job site for you and the Inspector to refer to until the project is completed.
9. Who do I call to get an inspection?
The Building Inspector is Marshall Barrows at 554-0705. You can call the Building Inspector listed between 7:30 and 9:00AM or 3:30 and 4:00 PM to arrange an inspection. You can call at other times and leave your name and telephone number on voice mail and the inspector will call you back. Include project name, address and building permit number.
10. What inspections are required?· Footing, and drainage system inspections prior to backfill.
· Rough building inspection prior to covering.
· Building
· Plumbing Rough + Sewer/Water when required
· Mechanical
· Electrical
11. How deep must footings be?
The bottom of footings must be on undisturbed soil a minimum of 42 inches below finished grade (except for certain detached accessory buildings).
12. Where are egress windows required?
Egress (rescue) windows are required in all sleeping rooms (bedrooms) located in the basement and all sleeping rooms below the fourth floor (4th) of the building. This requirement applies to all newly constructed and remodeled sleeping rooms.
13. What are the requirements for egress windows?
Well size is 9 square feet minimum
Well width 36" Minimum
Well opening must allow for the window to open fully.
Well requires Ladder effect for egress, wells need ladder or steps if over 44" deep. Egress windows must have a clear opening area a minimum of 5.7 square feet, a minimum clear opening width of 20 inches, and clear opening height of 24 inches. The sill of the window must be within 44 inches of the finish floor. The window must be open able without tools, special knowledge, or special effort. See the handout Egress Windows for further information.
Security bars and grills are prohibited on egress windows except in certain cases. Egress windows located below grade must have a window well meeting certain requirements. Please contact our Office for further information on these issues.
14. When and where are smoke detectors required?
Smoke detectors are required in every sleeping area and areas immediately adjacent to that area in addition to being required on each level of the building. Detectors should be AC/DC and interconnected so that all alarms sound at once.
SPECIAL NOTE: The Building Safety Office strongly encourage you to install smoke detectors in the noted locations in existing homes whether or not you are "required" to. Early detection and warning to the building occupants of a fire is the single greatest factor determining you and your family's chances of survival. Secondly, test the operation of your smoke detectors regularly and replace the batteries with fresh ones before they are needed. We suggest that you change your batteries twice a year when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. Thirdly, if you have occasional nuisance alarms, relocate your smoke detector. DON'T disable it. The hassle of a few nuisance alarms is better than putting your entire family at risk.
15. I would like to build a deck at my home. What information do I need to bring to the Plan Reviewer to get my permit?
A completed building permit application, a site plan showing the proposed location (fill in the various dimensions of the existing structures, etc, and sketch in the proposed deck), a basic sketch of the design of the deck including the sizes and spacing of posts, beams, joists, and decking, as well as steps and guardrails etc.
16. I would like to build a garage at my home. What information do I need to bring to the Plan Reviewer to get my permit?
You will need to bring a completed building permit application, a site plan showing the proposed location (fill in the various dimensions of the existing structures, etc, and sketch in the proposed garage), a basic sketch of the design of the garage including the sizes and spacing of studs, posts, beams, rafters, and roof decking, as well as footings and siding etc. The handouts Garage (for a conventionally framed garage) may be helpful to you. If you are building your garage from a kit or package from a local lumberyard, just bring the kit information supplied by the lumberyard along with the site plan and application.
17. I would like to build an addition to my home. What information do I need to bring to the Plan Reviewer to get my permit?
A completed building permit application, a site plan showing the proposed location (fill in the various dimensions of the existing structures, etc, and sketch in the proposed addition), a basic sketch of the design of the addition including the sizes and spacing of studs, posts, beams, floor joists, ceiling joists, rafters, and roof decking, as well as footings and siding etc. The handouts Accessory Buildings (note that your footings will be required to be 42 inches below finish grade) may be helpful to you.
18. I'm working on the addition to my home for which I already have a building permit. But I realized I'm going to have to notch some studs and floor joists as well as bore some holes in a few. Are there limits on the amount of notching and boring that can be done?
Yes, there are limitations to the amount of notching and boring you can do before you compromise the structural integrity of the building. See the handouts Notching & Boring Joists and Notching & Boring Studs for more information.
19. Where do I find the square foot cost amount to use to determine the valuation of my project?
Contact the Inspections Department at 554-0700 for estimate of square foot cost. The method of construction may affect the cost of construction.
20. How long do I have to finish my project?
Building permits are good for one year, however a permit that does not show activity for six months will laps.
NOTE: THE PERMIT HOLDER SHALL CALL FOR FINAL INSPECTION PRIOR TO OCCUPYING THE STRUCTURE OR CONSTRUCTION AREA.