Permitting a design/construction project can be a very frustrating experience and is best left to someone who is extremely familiar with the process. Be certain your design professionals have done the required research to head off issues so you can be confident your project will move through the permitting process as quickly as possible.

1. NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART
Permitting Projects in 2013

2. Permitting
can be a very
frustrating
experience
and is best
left to
someone
with plenty of
past
experience.
 ADA Compliance
 Health Department Approval
 Structural Design Criteria
 Energy Compliance
 Architectural Design Requirements
 Inspections

3. ADA
Compliance
The ADA is a wide-
ranging civil rights
law that prohibits,
under certain
circumstances,
discrimination based
on disability.
The Americans with Disabilities Act,
signed into law in 1990, has been an
ever changing list of special
requirements in facility construction.
These requirements can touch
virtually every portion of the site and
building.

4. ADA
Compliance
Be certain your
commercial
architectural firm
has a strong
understanding of
these requirements
and how they can
affect design and
construction.
To make meeting these mandates
even more challenging different
states and individual cities adopt
various years’ versions of these
constantly evolving requirements.
Beyond the initial permitting
approvals, owners can also be held
liable for violations with penalties
that could involve financial costs.

5. Health
Department
Approval
Foodservice
facilities will
obviously require
health department
review and
approval.
It is critical to research health
department constraints before you
submit your design to save time and
final approvals. The location of
equipment and items like hand
sinks can have a big impact on space
requirements.

6. Structural
Design
Criteria
An architectural
firm who can guide
you through the
local structural
design criteria is
critical to keeping
costs in line and
schedules on time.
Many jurisdictions have very
specific structural design criteria.
From roof loads to wind loads these
design load requirements can have a
big impact on the design and
architecture of a building.

7. Energy
Compliance
State and federal
requirements for
energy compliance
vary extensively.
Many states have specific computer
programs you must run your
building design through to verify
wall, foundation, and roof insulation
values. Even the amount of lighting
you can include in your design is
mandated by federal requirements.

8. Architectural
Design
Requirements
Many areas have
specific
architectural
design
requirements your
building must
meet.
Architectural design requirements
can control what materials can be
used, what colors, and even how
much glass you can use.
Many times these
architectural
requirements
may not be easily
known or posted.
Caution
!

9. Inspections
This new
requirement may
have more impact
on your project
than any other.
In many states, local jurisdictions
are now requiring periodic site visits
by a design professional while the
project is under construction.

10. Inspections
Periodic Site Visits
These visits can range from a few
during construction to regularly
scheduled, and in some extreme
situations include a detailed review
for specific trades including
architectural, structural,
mechanical, electrical, and
plumbing.

11. Inspections
Periodic Site Visits
This requirement can quickly drive
up the fees on your project and take
a great deal of planning which may
affect your construction schedule.

12. Inspections
Special Inspections
Special inspections requirements
can vary a great deal in various cities
and research must be done before
construction is scheduled to begin.

13. Permitting
Projects in
2013
Not for the Faint at
Heart
Be certain your commercial
architectural firm has a strong
understanding of all the different
permitting requirements for your
project type and location and how
they can affect your design, costs
and schedule.

14. MRP
Design Group
We are in our 25th
year in business
and have
permitted over
2,000 projects
nationwide.
Our professionals can do the
required research to head off issues
and make certain your project moves
through permitting as quickly as
possible. Contact us so we can
discuss your specific needs and how
we can help navigate your project
through the permitting process.
www.mrpdesign.com
770-917-9172
kdalton@mrpdesign.com