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Permit Information

Construction of a new dwelling, structure, remodel, and demolition of residential or commercial structures require a building permit first be obtained through the Building Safety Division.

All Applications are reviewed under the following codes:

      1997 Uniform Building Code
      2005 National Electrical Code
      2000 Uniform Mechanical Code
      2003 Uniform Plumbing Code
Residential Permits Commercial Permits
Building Permit App. Required Required
Fire Department Form Not Applicable Required
Construction Compliance Act Form Not Applicable Required
Scaled Drawings of Project ** Required Not Applicable
Legal Description Required for new construction Required for new construction
All Contractors/Subcontractor **Required Required
Job Valuation - not including land Required Required
Contact Person/Phone Number Required Required
Plot Plan of Property Required if exterior changes Not Applicable
Sealed Drawings Not Applicable **Required
Site Plan Not Applicable **Required
Plans Reviewed by: Inspections Supervisor Building Inspections Staff

**Please Note Below
**Residential Requirements: Drawings must include:
  1. Braced Walls clearly marked
  2. Footing Detail
  3. Typical Wall Section
  4. Detailed Floor Plan (scaled)
  5. Front and Side Elevation Drawing
  6. Scaled Plot Plan- Show proposed new structures and any existing buildings or structures on site, and north arrow. Show property lines with dimensions, all streets, easements and setbacks. Show all water, sewer, electrical points of connection, proposed service routes and existing utilities on the site.
**Be sure to list your subcontractors. If you are a homeowner and wish to do your own electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work, you will need to speak with the appropriate inspector(i.e. if you are doing electrical work you will need to speak with the electrical inspector.) You will also need to complete the Owner Occupant form.

**COMMERCIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • All multi family and commercial drawings are required to be sealed by a State of Kansas licensed architect or engineer. Some remodel permits do not require sealed drawings. Two complete sets of plans at 1/8"=1'-0 minimum with dimensions, on at least 8 1/2" x 11" paper is required.
  • Site Plan. Scaled site plan of the property if the project involves changes to the exterior of the structure. Contact the Planning Department for the number of site plan copies required. The Code Enforcement Division requires one set of drawings.
  • The Site Plan must show the proposed new structures and any existing buildings or structures on site and north arrow. Show property lines with dimensions, all street, easements and setbacks. Show all water, sewer, electrical points of connection, proposed service routes and existing utilities on the site. Show general drainage and grading information.
Commercial and Residential Permit Applications Should Have the Following:
  • Foundation Plan. Indicate size, location and depth below grade of all footings, piers, and stem walls. For Residential projects, if necessary, provide geotechnical report, including soil-bearing capacity for the proposed structure at the site.
  • Floor Plan. For Commercial projects, a detailed floor plan must be scaled and include Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing specifications. For other types of projects, show all floors including basement. Label all the rooms and provide overall dimensions and locate smoke detection systems.
  • Floor and Roof Framing Plans. Show size, spacing and spans of joists, girders, rafters, beams and headers. Specify grade and species of all wood members. All wood trusses must be engineered and pre manufactured. The manufacturer's instructions on placement and attachment of all wood trusses must be at the job site for the building inspector's review.
  • Details. Include typical interior and exterior wall sections showing floor, wall and ceiling type. Show footing and foundation depth and dimensions; detail anchor bolt size and spacing, and spacing of steel reinforcement in masonry, concrete footing and stem walls. Show stair details showing dimensions of rise and run of steps, handrail location, guardrail spacing, headroom, etc. Show fireplace details if using pre-fabricated unit, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be at the job site for the building inspector's review and uses.

Appeals of Code Interpretations may be made through the inspection office. The following boards were created for this procedure:
  • Uniform Building Code Board of Appeals
  • Electrical Board of Examiners and Appeals
  • Plumbers and Gas Fitters Board of Examiners and Appeals
  • Mechanical Code Board of Appeals

Plan Review and Permit Writing
Plan review for Commercial projects is conducted by the Inspection staff, while plan review for Residential Projects is conducted by the Inspections Supervisor. Revised drawings may be required.
Permit Writing:
1. One and two family permit are written when:
  • Plot Plan is approved.
  • Drawings are approved.
2. Multi family and Commercial Permits are written when:
  • Receive and approved Site Plan from the Planning Department.
  • Receive approved Fire Department report.
  • Drawings are approved by the Code Enforcement staff.
Occupancy for Commercial Projects. Occupancy is allowed after all final inspections are conducted and approved. A Certificate of Occupancy is issued at this time. A Certificate of Occupancy is not issued for one and two family dwellings. Temporary occupancy is allowed and must be arranged through the Inspection Supervisor.
  • Site Plan inspections must be scheduled at the time of the final inspection.
  • Site plans must be completed prior to occupancy.
  • Extensions may be granted for landscaping and must be arranged through the Zoning Enforcement Officer, Treni Westcott.


Demolition Permit Information:

Demolition permits require a 30-day waiting period from the date the application is received by our office to the date that the permit is able to be issued. Within the 30-days, you must contact the utility companies (Westar, Aquila, and the City Water Department) to have the utilities removed and a disconnect notice sent to our department.

1. Submit a complete demolition permit application.
2. Contact the utility companies to request that the utilities be removed for demolition.

Utility Contacts:
E-mail Address Phone Number
Aquila (Natural Gas) kps@aquila.com 785-832-3943
Westar(Electric) martha_j_christie@wr.com 785-865-4872
City of Lawrence (Water) utilitybilling@ci.lawrence.ks.us 785-832-7878


The demolition permit fee is $50.00 made payable to the City of Lawrence. After our office has received written confirmation from Westar, Aquila, and the City of Lawrence Water Department that the services have been removed and the end of the 30-day waiting period has arrived you must contact our Department to request that the permit be issued.