City permit needed when safety at issue

Do-it-yourselfers should be aware of city building permit requirements before starting their projects.

Harvey Cooper, code administrator for the city, said people can set a water heater or furnace in place, but when it comes to hooking up the gas lines, the job must be done by a professional. Permits are needed and inspections required when safety is an issue.

City permits are issued at the rate of $4 per $1,000 of construction with a minimum charge of $60, Cooper said.

Generally the homeowner needs a permit to add a room or change one, for example, to convert a garage to a room or move a kitchen to an area not previously used for that purpose. A permit is not required to replace cabinets in an existing kitchen or to replace an appliance that requires no new plumbing or wiring.

People need to have permits if they replace existing windows with larger ones that require structural changes to the house. Permits are not required to replace old windows with new ones of the same size, Cooper said.

A permit is not required to add a ceiling fan if the wiring is already in place. A permit is required if new wiring is added. The homeowner can do simple electrical maintenance, such as changing a receptacle, but wiring that increases service must be done by a professional, he added.

The rule of thumb is that most cosmetic work and routine maintenance, such as new tile in an existing shower or a new roof, does not require a permit. Any work that requires structural changes, new wiring or gas line connections requires a permit and an inspection, Cooper said.

The city has handouts on permits and other building issues. For information, call 864-1055.