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Building/Construction FAQs
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Yes. Every Zoning Permit issued to include both the red "Z" and the green "Z" requires a Building Permit. Please note that this also includes any additional Zoning Permits secured for changes made during the project. Please direct all Zoning calls to the Planning and Zoning Main Office at (802) 865-7188.
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Yes. Each trade required to complete a project will be permitted separately. The permit will identify the work being performed and by whom it is being done. Each trade person will secure his/her own permit(s) and each permit fee will be based on the cost of construction for that trade.
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Yes. Per the City Code of Ordinances Chapter 8: No permit or fee shall be required for any "alterations" and "repairs" if the cost of construction is less than one thousand ($1000.00) dollars. The cost of construction shall mean materials and labor. "Replacement" is not considered an alteration or repair.
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Yes. Along with an approved Zoning Permit, a Building Permit is required for a stockade fence. These permits are required to be closed out by way of inspection once the project(s) are complete. Nonsolid fences (i.e., picket, chain-link, etc) do not require a permit per Chapter 8 of The City Code of Ordinances.
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Yes. These are non-controversial building permits that take little time to issue. You may need a zoning permit; therefore, it is recommended that you call the Planning and Zoning Department first at (802) 865-7188, then submit your building permit application to the Building Officials Office located at 645 Pine Street.
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Yes.These permits provide information to the City Assessor's Office so they are able to deduct the amount of taxes allocated for that structure from your total tax bill. These permits also ensure the site is secured during the demolition--all utilities are properly cut, capped, and secured; the foundation hole or area is back filled with clean compactable soils; and the material from the structure is properly disposed of. Due to the fact that demolition is a change to the property, it is recommended that you contact the Planning and Zoning Department at (802) 865-7188 for the zoning permit prior to securing the building permit.
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No permit or fees shall be required for carpeting, painting, installation of personal property or floor covering. However, "Flooring" does require permits and fees.
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Yes. In every situation where you have a higher hazard space beside, under, or over another space being occupied, a separation requirement by way of hours. The hour ratings are determined by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and refer to the maximum time for rescue and escape based on the building's design, material composition, air space, and fasteners. The minimum is one hour separation of private garages from living space, public garages from living space and other uses of the building, living space from different living spaces, etc.
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Yes. In buildings without sprinkler systems, emergency escape/rescue windows are required in all living and sleeping areas where a 2nd door leading to the outside is not available. These requirements apply to existing rough openings and to new installations. Windows need to be remotely located from the primary entrance into the room. Exceptions: buildings that have a sprinkler system; AND bathrooms, kitchens, and closets.
Existing windows may be 5 square feet (Ft2) of net clear opening. If the net clear opening of the bottom sash of an existing window measures a minimum of 20 inches wide by 36 inches in height (20 x 36 = 721/144 = 5.0) then you may replace that window with another, providing there are no modifications to the rough opening. Maximum height of the window from finish floor and finish bottom sill is 44 inches. Any modifications made to the rough opening results in meeting the "New Window" standards.
New windows must be 5.7 Ft2 of net clear opening or 821 square inches. The bottom sash or casement window minimum measurements are, where "H" is your window height or "W" is width:
1. 20 x H= 821/144=5.7Ft2
2. 24 x W=821/144=5.7Ft2
Please note: net clear opening means absolute clear space to pass through without exception. Click here for a diagram of this measurement.
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Yes. Solid fuel (wood burning) appliances are required to have a Building Permit (ISD-1 application) and be installed a safe distance away from combustible materials (i.e. wood framing, walls, etc.), as provided in the manufactures installation instructions (MII). All types of heating units other than wood burning (i.e. gas, oil, kerosene, etc.) need to secure a Mechanical Permit (ISD-4) and be installed as directed in that heating unit's MII.
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Depth of frost in the Burlington area is equal to and greater than 4 feet. The foundation design criteria may be found in the 2006 International Building Code and Chapter 18. Click here for frost protection information.
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Yes. You must complete Form ISD-1, Application for Permit. It is strongly recommended that you or your contractors contact this office during the project's planning stages or at the same time that you project in being reviewed through the zoning process. In any event, you should contact the Division before the day you wish to begin your project. Our goal is to keep your project on your schedule and let you start on the day you planned.
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Yes. Plans provide information which can be reviewed and provide information concerning life safety issues that must be addressed. Planning ahead will expedite the process and keep your project moving forward. For smaller projects, the plans should show elevation and floor plans identifying all areas and materials. For larger projects, you should add a foundation plan, additional floor plans, cut sections, etc. You may draw these plans yourself on smaller projects; however, professionals registered in the State of Vermont are required for the larger projects. Professionals must affix a valid State of Vermont registration seal and number to the plans. For a detailed checklist, click here. For Chapter 8 section 8-24, click here.
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Depending on the size and magnitude of the project, it could take less than an hour to an entire week. Most permits are issued in minutes. If you have planned far enough ahead, contacted the Inspection Services Division, provided plans, made phone contact, etc., prior to your project start date, it will not take long for you to obtain the necessary permits and get your project underway.
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Three fees may be applied to any one permit: the minimum and standard permit fee, a recording fee, and an after the fact (ATF) fee. With regards to all construction permits; please make checks payable to DPW/ISD.
The minimum and standard permit fee: All permits have a minimum permit fee of twenty ($20.00) dollars when the project costs for labor and material* is less than two thousand eight hundred fifty-eight ($2858.00) dollars. A calculation of $7.00 is applied to every thousand ($1000.00) dollars of estimated cost of construction (ECC) that exceeds the minimum cost. For example; $3000.00 x .007 = $21.00, etc., which keeps increasing as the ECC increases. The exception to this rule is with regards to single-family home projects and their recording fees listed below.
Recording fees: It is required to file permits and related documents in the City land records. A fee of $10.00 will be charged for each document attached to that project at the time you secure your permit, in addition to the permit fee. Example, all construction permits that are required (building, electrical, heating, plumbing, fire alarm, sprinkler, etc.) will have the minimum permit fee and an $10.00 recording fee. However, when a project requires a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), both the Building Permit and C of O will require the $10.00 fee for a total of twenty ($20.00) dollars in addition to the permit fee.
After the Fact Fee (ATF): This fee is applied when work has started without reviews, approvals, or permits. The calculation applied is one percent of the ECC, which is added back on to the original your permit fee calculation. This fee is never less then thirty ($30.00) dollars, thus, raising the permit fee on a basic single-family home project from twenty-seven ($27.00) to fifty-seven ($57.00) dollars. *Note: ECC is based on all materials and all labor cost associated to that project, regardless of who purchased any part thereof.
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Yes. Failure to close out permits will delay financial or legal actions you may want to take with your property, i.e., re-financing, selling, etc. Double check with both the Planning and Zoning Department and the Inspection Services Division to be sure that all your projects were closed out after the final inspection was held.
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The Inspection Services Division of the Department of Public Works issues building permits. The Public Works office is located at 645 Pine Street, at the intersection with Lakeside Avenue.
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Yes. Plumbing and electrical licenses are required to perform work in Burlington. However, if you own and live in your single-family home, you may conduct your own plumbing and electrical work. It is required that you secure and follow the permit and inspection process and all work must comply with all state and local codes and ordinances.
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No. Recommending contractors not a service that we can provide because of legal and ethical considerations. The service that we do provide through the permit process ensures that all contractors working in Burlington are properly licensed and credentialed and observe all state and local life safety codes in construction work.
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Inspections are required for all permits. The best time to schedule an inspection is when you pick up your permit. Our inspection schedule is driven by the construction demand and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. We do request a minimum of three days lead-time to be able to be at the property for an inspection. During the busy construction season from early spring to late fall, and around the holidays, the lead-time is longer.
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The inspectors have set aside office hours from 8am - 10am M-F specifically to return phone calls regarding technical code related issues, issue permits for projects and schedule appointments for inspections and plans review. We do try and limit the time to 10 minutes per customer to help make it possible to serve as many customers as possible within the two hours before leaving and conducting inspections that have been permitted. Please have your questions and plans available and if more time is needed for your project time will be scheduled outside these hours to accommodate your needs.
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1.Contact Planning and Zoning to determine if you need a zoning permit: (802) 865-7188.
2.It is strongly recommended that you or your contractors contact this office during the project's planning stages or at the same time that you project in being reviewed through the zoning process.
3.Complete Form ISD-1, Application for Permit.
4.Provide plans. You may draw these plans yourself or have a professional do them for you; however, a professional must affix a valid registration stamp and registration number for the inspector to accept them.
If you have questions about the permitting process, the status of the permit, the permit history of a property, cost of a permit, etc., please direct your calls to the DPW/ISD Customer Service desk at (802) 863-9094. If you have questions for an inspector, please provide the following when leaving a voice mail message or an E-mail for an inspector:
1.Your name
2.Your phone number where you can be reached
3.Property address street number and name
4.Your permit number if one is attached
5.A detailed question so that we can leave an answer on your voice mail
Is there technical assistance available to answer questions about the Residential and Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Standards?
Yes, The Inspection Services Division works closely with the Burlington Electric Department (BED) Energy Services Division to ensure that projects meet the energy codes. BED reviews project plans with customers and then issues an Energy Efficiency Code Compliance Memo to the Inspection Services Division. There is no additional fee for this service. While working with BED, customers are also made aware of all additional technical assistance and cash incentives available through BED, and Vermont Gas Systems, to projects interested in exceeding the required code. Please visit BED online or call 865-7342 for more information. It is strongly recommended that you contact BED during the planning stages of the project or at the same time that your project is being reviewed through the zoning process so BED can offer the maximum level of technical assistance and cash incentives.
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Please contact the Department of Public Works Customer Service directly at (802) 863-9094.
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All contractors need to have their/your permit in hand and on the job site before they start the work. In addition, the inspectors will sign and date your copy of the permit at the time of completion for you to have for your records.
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The contractor of record is typically the one who needs to call for the inspection, which can be the owner. Please have the contractor of record contact that inspector overseeing their discipline, which helps in expediting the process.
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For all the right reasons the inspectors requires the owner or the owners authorized representative (contractors) on site during inspections. This also streamlines the process, provides that opportunity to act on what needs to take place without additional delays to include need for re-inspections.
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Yes, The City of Burlington Code of Ordinances; Chapter 21 Section 21-13 paragraph 2 (e) declarers construction noise as ?Noise Disturbance? within the hours of 9 PM through 7 AM, seven days a week. Construction noise is considered to be and not limited to: excavation, demolition and building construction to include alterations or repairs on any part thereof on the structure or premises. The exception to this rule has been made for emergencies.
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