Permit Necessity For Metal Buildings In The USA

If you have ever done any construction work on your property, you must be aware of the term ‘permit.’ These are necessary for maintaining the construction standard throughout the county or city. No matter what your construction type is or what material you are using, a permit is a necessary clause by your local authority. It is meant for the safety and security of your steel building structure & things around it. On top of it, you get assurance that your property can be listed easily in the market for sale.

What Is A Building Permit?

It is legal permission that your local government authorizes you to carry out construction or remodeling projects on your property.

Who Should Apply For It?

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to apply and get the permit approval. Failure to do so can have negative consequences, such as you may be asked to tear down the entire metal building.

Where Do You Get Permit From?

Generally, the county/city office has all the permit details on their website, but you can visit them in person to talk. You can either apply for a permit online or visit your county/city office to submit the form with the necessary details and fees.

When To Apply For Permit?

As soon as you have gathered all the data for the new construction, you can file for a permit. Usually, it takes anywhere from a few days to months to get approved. The timeline varies with the type, location, and scale of construction. We strongly advise getting a permit first and buying metal buildings later.

How Much Does It Cost?

You see, the cost is not fixed and varies with the type of project, location, design, and size of metal buildings. Nonetheless, we will still give you a rough idea.

Note that the amount varies with the building’s location, size, and complexity.

Are Permit Necessary For All Metal Structures?

The short answer would be – Yes. But it does not end here. There are some exemptions to it, which varies with location.

For instance, in some places, you don’t need a permit for a shed that is less than 120 sq. ft. (non-commercial), while at some locations, it can be 200 sq. ft. The same goes for the remodeling. In some places, you don’t need a permit for repair or internal changes; in others, you may need one.

Should You Buy Steel Structure Before Filing For A Permit?

Strictly not. You can prepare a blueprint containing the steel building’s size, dimension, location on your lot, and existing structures. Then, you can file for a permit. After you get approved, you can order one.

If you are on a budget, you can check out the metal building for sale that is available on the builder’s website or social media pages. Most metal dealers have to clear current stock to make room for new ones. This will save you bucks without compromising on the quality.

This is the best method because after buying, if you propose any changes to the metal structure because of permit issues, that may incur extra charges. So, it’s best that you get a permit first and buy the metal building for sale later.

Procedure To File For Permit For Metal Buildings

First, you will need all the necessary information that is required when filing for a metal structure permit. These are:

• Your personal details (name, address, contact, etc.)
• Size of the lot (legal description of property)
• Blueprint of the new building with existing ones stamped by any licensed engineer in the state.
• Dimension of your new metal structure
• Purpose & size of steel building
• Electrical & plumbing plan
• permit fee

Next, you can either fill out the form online or visit the office. If any changes are needed with your drawing, staff will inform you. And now, the process begins.

• You file for the permit with all the necessary details.
• Your county office allows you to start construction.
• You set up a site inspector visit. This person is responsible for checking if everything is going according to the rules.
• Finally, your building is ready. The site inspector gives a final visit for inspection.
• After the inspection is completed, you get approval.

Is Certification Mandatory For Steel Building?

First, let’s see what certified metal structures are. A certified steel structure is designed to meet and exceed your local building guidelines. In some cases, you may not be allowed to skip it. For instance, places with heavy rain, wind, or snow need to have verified steel to bear snow load and wind draft.

Does that mean you need a certified steel structure? Not really, apart from some places where it is mandatory. To know if you need a certified structure, you can visit your local zoning office or their website. Ensure that you visit the website of the county/city where you want to install the structure, as the law varies with place.

Role Of Permit

• It ensures your new structure complies with all local codes and guidelines.
• It assures that the structure is safe and secure for people near it.
• It helps protect from inferior construction.
• It passes your building for all necessary inspections.
• A building with permit approval is easy to sell.

As You Can See

Filing for a permit is no rocket science. But without it, you are at the risk of losing your investment. If local authorities find out that the structure on your lot has not gone through all legal formalities, you may have to pay a hefty fine, or worse, you may have to remove the entire metal building.

To avoid any nasty surprises, we recommend you comply with all local building codes and guidelines. Not only will it save your steel building from being removed, but a permitted structure will also make the re-sale easy. Note that this blog must not be taken as legal/financial advice. This is meant for informative purposes. That being said, we hope it was helpful.