Getting a Building Permit in Lakewood

More and more people are making improvements to their current home as opposed to buying a new one. The process is exciting and scary at the same time. You’re eager to make your home match the vision in your mind. You’ve created the plans and have either decided to do the work yourself of hire a contractor. But now what? In Lakewood, the next step is determining whether you need a building permit.

Building permits are important, explained Dru Siley, the director of the Division of Building & Housing for the city of Lakewood, “We are working hard to makes sure everyone in Lakewood has housing that is decent, safe and sanitary.”

When do you need a building permit?

If you are doing the work yourself, you need to apply for the building permit if it is necessary for your project. If you’ve hired a contractor they are required to get the permit. Lakewood’s building department requires contractors be registered with the city and has a list of registered contractors on its website.

According to the City of Lakewood Home Improvement and Maintenance Guide on the building department website: “Building permits shall be obtained before proceeding with any excavation, grading, construction, alteration, repair, moving or demolition of any dwelling or appurtenant structure. Separate permits shall also be obtained for electrical work, plumbing work, heating, air conditioning and all other equipment that are essential features in the use of the dwelling (or other structure).”

So what does that mean? In Lakewood, you need a permit (or permits) for the following types of projects:

• Adding a room, garage, tool shed, deck or porch
• Exterior improvements like a fence, new siding, basement waterpoofing or a pool (including above ground portable swimming pools)
• Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom
• Replacing your furnace, hot water heater, dishwasher or electrical wiring
• Installing or repairing a sidewalk or driveway apron. In this case, get a permit from the Department of Public Works.

You do not need a permit for:

• Interior or exterior painting
• Adding new insulation
• Replacing one plumbing fixture in the bathroom (a remodel is defined as replacing two or more according to the city)
• Putting on new cabinet doors in the kitchen (a remodel is defined as replacing all wall and base cabinets)
• Replacing your roof or windows

Where do you go to apply for a permit?

Homeowners or contractors can apply for a building permit in the Building Department office on the first floor (12650 Detroit Ave), Monday through Friday from 8 am to noon and from 1 pm to 5 pm. No permits are issued during the lunch hour from noon to 1 pm.

What should you bring when applying for a permit?

For fences, sheds, additions, decks and swimming pools, plans and diagrams are required at the time of application (see section 1-3 of the Home Improvement and Maintenance Guide for samples and specific details for your project.) The residential permit application is available online, so you can fill it out before going to the office. The Lakewood Building Department will help with materials needed and recommend that you come in with any questions or concerns.

How much does a permit cost?

Permit costs are based on the cost of the job and separate fees are charged for building permits, plumbing permits, electrical permits and HVAC permits. Both plumbing and electrical permits have a base fee of $30 with additional costs related to the actual project.

What about inspections?

Once you have your building permit and have started work, projects will require inspection at various benchmarks. The permit holder is responsible for arranging inspections with the building department. While specific projects will have different inspection requirements, the city provides the following guidelines for when inspections should be conducted:

• Before covering or concealing work
• Installation of footing drains, building drains and building sewers
• Completion of foundation and waterproofing
• During framing of the superstructure
• The completion of roughing in the plumbing, electrical wiring, gas piping, heating ducts or piping or other similar service installations
• Before closing in all structural elements
• Upon final completion of the structure

These inspections are required for the safety and security of the homeowner. Inspections can be arranged by contacting the City of Lakewood Building Department at -216-529-6270. By law, inspections must be completed within 48 hours, but the building department works hard to ensure inspections are conducted within 24 hours.

“We want to be as least invasive as possible, verify safety and then get the project back on schedule,” Siley noted.

For questions, concerns or to get additional assistance before starting your project, contact City of Lakewood Building Department at 216-529-6270 or visit their website for FAQs and to download a free copy of the Lakewood Home Improvement and Maintenance Guide.

“We want to make it easy for people to improve their properties,” Siley said. “So don’t hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns. We always want to work with people on their projects.”