Thursday, July 10, 2014

City of Louisville Permit Requirements

CITY  OF  LOUISVILLE
PERMIT  REQUIREMENTS
( July 1, 2014 )

The 2012 International Residential Code Section R105-Permits state the requirements for permits and work exempt from permits as follows:
Section R105.1  Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or erect, install enlarge, alter, repair remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the “BUILDING OFFICIAL” and obtain the required permits.
Section R105.2  Work exempt from permit.  Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemption from permit  requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation  of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of the city of Louisville.
            BUILDING:
1.      One-story detached accessory structures used as a tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. ( All structures shall be properly anchored to the ground under either with manufacture or building official approved anchorage systems as per Section [A] 102.8 of the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code).  
2.      Fences not over 7 feet high.
3.      Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
4.      Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
5.      Sidewalks and driveways ( unless they are installed over expansive soil as per Section [A] 102.8 of the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code).
6.      Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finishes only if no other type of work is to be perform. If other work is being done that includes these items then these items shall become part of the full amount of work to be done and a permit shall be required to contain all of these items. As interpreted by the building official.
7.      Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep. (All swimming pool electrical equipment shall be provided with a ground fault electrical outlet as per Section [A] 102.8 of the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code).
8.      Swings and other play ground equipment.
9.      Windows awnings supported by an exterior wall which does not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support. All window awnings shall be properly supported as per manufacture recommendations and or building official’s determination as per Section [A] 102.8 of the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code.
10.   Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4.   

   ELECTRICAL:
1.      Listed cord and plug connected temporary decorative lighting. (All exterior temporary lighting shall be connected to a waterproof ground fault receptacle).
2.       Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlet therefor.
3.      Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the reqired capacity in the same location.
4.      Electrical wiring, devises, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
5.      Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. 

            GAS:
1.      Portable heating, cooking or cloth drying appliances. (Shall keep all portable heaters a minimum of 3 feet away from all combustible materials when in use).
2.      Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3.      Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power system.
MECHANICAL:
1.      Portable heating appliances. (Shall keep all portable heating appliances a minimum of 3 feet from all combustible materials).
2.      Portable ventilation appliances.
3.      Portable cooling units. (Shall be properly anchored and supported when protruding outwards from any wall or window).
4.      Steam, hot- or chilled- water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5.      Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
6.      Portable evaporative coolers.
7.      Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.
8.      Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspections made as provided in this code. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
NOTE:  PROPERTY OWNERS MAY OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT FOR THEIR PLACE OF RESIDeNCE AND ACT AS THEIR OWN GENERAL CONTRACTOR. [Warring if a property owner choices to do so it is highly recommended that they obtain construction liability insurance to protect them from any all law suits that may arise from the construction work that they choice to be liable for].