BUILDING PERMITS

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The City of Markesan contracts out the Building Inspections.  The Building Inspector for the City is James Lawton with General Engineering Co., Inc.  The Building Inspector is available at City Hall weekly or by appointment.  If you need to reach the Building Inspector directly, please call him at (608)697-7779.  Appointments can also be made by calling City Hall at (920)398-3031.

NECESSARY INFORMATION NEEDED BEFORE A BUILDING PERMIT WILL BE ISSUED

FOR NEW HOMES

1.      2 sets of building plans

2.      2 plats of survey or plat plan (showing elevations and distances to lot lines)

3.      2 copies of Therman Performance Sheets (heat loss calculations)

4.      2 copies of Erosion Control Plan (can be included on survey or plot plan)

5.      Competed application, including contractors certification numbers

FOR ADDITIONS, REMODELS, ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, FENCES & SWIMMING POOLS

1.       1 set of building plans

2.       1 copy of plot plan showing existing structures and proposed work, setbacks and erosion       

 control.

3.       Completed application, including contractors certification numbers

Why Building Permits are Required                                                                                       

A building permit serves as formal and legal permission to start any construction project.  The issuance of a building permit indicates that plans for a new structure, addition, renovation, foundation, plumbing, air conditioning,  heating or electrical alterations have been approved by local government officials and that the plans comply with mandated building codes and zoning laws.

No building or structure, or any part thereof, shall be built within the City unless a permit is first  obtained by the owner or his agent from the Building Inspector.  No construction shall be commenced prior to the issuance of such permit.  Commencement of construction shall include such acts as beginning excavation or construction forms for cement work.

How to Apply for a Permit

An application for a building permit is available through the local Building Inspector’s office.  In addition to the  completed application; sketches, building drawings, plans or other documents may be needed to be submitted for review. 

Process of Applications

The Building Inspector will review the submitted application to make sure that it complies with the building code, local zoning and other applicable laws.

If a problem arises with the proposed building project, the Building Inspector will meet with the applicant to discuss the needed alterations or changes prior to issuing the permit.

If an applicant is denied the issuance of a building permit, he/she can appeal the decision of the Building Inspector to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Delays Due to Permits

Homeowners may be led to believe that submitting an application for a building permit could cause unnecessary and costly alterations to their plans.  They also could feel that going through bureaucratic channels will create undue delays in their project.

The majority of building permits though are processed with little or no delay.  If changes are needed, those  changes are based on review of the proposed project and are made to insure safe and sound construction.

When homeowners apply for a building permit they have access to the Building Inspector’s vast knowledge and experience when, and if, they have any questions about their project or the permit process itself.

Construction Obligations

A condition of a building permit is that the applicant completes the work as approved by the City in accordance with the building code and the plans as approved by the Building Inspector.  Applicants are also required to give advance notice to the Building Inspector at key times during the construction process when inspections are needed.

Inspection times that are required for certain building projects are provided to the applicant.  Such inspections are performed by the Building Inspector, who checks each major phase of construction and makes sure that the work complies with the building code, the building permit, and the approved building plans.

Building permits are good for 2 years from the date of issuance with an additional 6 month extension granted, at no additional cost.

Building permits should be displayed in a conspicuous place on the property that will allow easy viewing by the public, and need to be displayed only during the duration of the building project.