Residential Building Permit

. . . Permits & Inspections . . . Phone: 501-450-6107 . . . Fax: 501-450-6144 . . .

	1201 Oak Street Conway, AR 72032 Phone: 501-450-6107 FAX: 501-450-6144 Hours 7:00am-4:30pm
	Email: Lynn Hicks Barbara McElroy Missy Schrag
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Lynn Hicks
Assistant Director of Permits, Inspection, and Code Enforcement

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT
CITY OF CONWAY, ARKANSAS

How to Acquire a Residential Building Permit


General Information
•	Applications may be obtained at the Permits and Inspections Office located at 1201 Oak Street, Conway Arkansas, or go to www.conwyplanning.org.
•	Applications may be submitted any time the office is open.
•	Permits will normally be available the next day. However, it would be best to call before coming to pick them up at 501-450-6107.
•	Individual permits must be obtained for electrical work, plumbing, mechanical work and gas piping.
•	Impact Fee will be determined when the permit is issued.
•	Check if sidewalk is required to be built by homebuilder.
•	If the lot requires a culvert, it must be approved by City Engineer before permit can be issued.
•	If property is in Historical District, it must have approval before permit is issued..
All construction must comply with the following codes.
1.	Conway Land Development Code
2.	2007 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Volume III (2006 International Residential Code with State of Arkansas Amendments).
3.	2008 National Electrical Code and local amendments.
4.	The 2006 Arkansas Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code with local amendments.
5.	The 2010 Arkansas Mechanical Code.
The following items are required on the job-site at the time of the first inspection. If these items are not present, you will be turned down on the inspection.
1.	Sign with builder name, telephone #, and the job-site address.
2.	Porta-potty (if same builder has 2 sites or more within 300 feet of each other, then only 1 porta-potty is required).
3.	Building permits in mailbox.
4.	Trash container for blow-able debris.
5.	Erosion control (properly installed) if lot slopes toward street or adjacent property.
6.	Check if sidewalk is required to be built by homebuilder.
7.	If the lot requires a culvert, it must be approved by City Engineer before permit can be issued.
8.	If property is in Historical District, it must have approval before permit is issued.
•	*In the case of a legitimate emergency that threatens health or property, these procedures may be modified at the discretion of the Permits and Inspections Department.*
Costs
•	Building Permits cost $0.10 per square foot for all area under roof regardless of whether or not it is heated and/or cooled.
•	The building permit cost for remodeling is $1.00 per $1,000 of remodeling costs with a minimum of $30.00.
•	Impact Fees are due prior to final inspection.
	PERMIT TYPE Dwelling Addition to Dwelling Storage or Outbuilding Remodeling	MIN. COST (depending on sq. footage) $250.00 $ 35.00 $ 20.00 $ 30.00

Procedure
•	The application form must be filled out and submitted.
•	A scale drawing of the site plan must be included with the application:
	1.	A reduced drawing from blue print of house being built showing total square footage (footprint).
	2.	The lot dimensions and the location and dimensions of all existing buildings.
	3.	The dimensions of the building being permitted, including height.
	4.	Setbacks from all lot lines.
	5.	Distance of the new building from all existing buildings.
	6.	Existing easements and their dimensions.
	7.	A North Arrow.
	8.	Any other conditions which may adversely affect the issuance of a permit.
•	If the permit is being sought for a lot that the Permits and Inspections Department has no record of having been approved, the applicant must provide proof that the lot existed in its present form for at least 10 years.
•	Payment for permits must be made at the time the application is submitted. Preferred payment is by check. No work will be performed until permits have been issued.

Note
The following list represents some of the more frequent code violations that have been noted over the previous six (6) months of residential inspections. This review checklist does not necessarily include all deficiencies or violation for this or any other applicable code. Issuance of this permit and this checklist shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel, alter or set aside any provisions of the adopted codes nor shall issuance of such permit prevent the Building Inspector from thereafter requiring a correction of error in plans or Building Codes. All Comments and the final installation are subject to conditions revealed by the field inspection.
Common Infractions Noted at "Footing and Slab Inspections"
1.	Building Permit records are filed by street address only. Any correspondence requesting information from or submitting information to Permit Department must properly identify the location with a legal street address.
2.	The contractor or owner can schedule a meeting with Building Inspector regarding the job site to review inspection and building requirements.
3.	"Approved for Construction" set of plans and legal survey available at the job site.
4.	Public streets must be cleaned of all construction debris, temporary loading ramps, rocks, tree limbs, etc.
5.	A minimum of two (2) property lines must be string lined. Batter board and house string lines shall be pulled.
6.	Concrete floor slabs shall be minimum 3 ½" thicknesses with an approval vapor barrier. Use of fiber mesh in lieu of wire mesh is allowed only with a compliance report.
7.	Footings are required to be excavated to a 12" depth below existing grade. Footings and crawl space area shall be clean and free of vegetation. Footings shall be on original grade or engineered fill with a minimum of 95% compaction. Engineer's certification is required.
8.	Crawl space area shall be graded to provide drainage.
9.	Footing steel (if applicable) shall be tied and in place with proper chairs or support (slabs on grade: monolithic slabs). All required perimeter slab insulation: wire mesh; vapor barrier and rebar shall be in place and chemical pest control measures completed (monolithic slabs).

Common Infractions Noted at "Framing Inspections"
1.	Subcontractors, specifically plumbing, electrical, and mechanical installers must call for their own inspections. Owners/Contractor may not call for them.
2.	Adequate crawl ventilation:
	•	One (1) sq. ft. of ventilation area per 150 sq. ft. of crawl space and one vent opening within 3 ft. of each corner..
	•	Operable vent covers are permitted with approval ground cover only.
3.	Foundation Bolts Installed- ½" foundation bolts spaced no greater than six (6) feet on center (minimum of 2 each per single plate) and embedded at least seven (7) inches in concrete or seven (7) inches in masonry. Compliance report shall indicate equal retention properties.
4.	Stair Construction:
	•	Maximum riser height is 7 ¾" with no variation exceeding 3/8" in any stairway between floor.
	•	Minimum tread depth shall be 10" with no variation exceeding 3/8" in tread depth.
	•	Minimum headroom clearance shall be 6 ft. 8 inches.
	•	Minimum stairway width is 36 inches, clear width.
	•	Landings required.
5.	Provide fire stops in all fur downs and locations as required.
6.	Provide fireplace masonry clearances to combustibles. Manufactured fireplace shall be in place and installation completed. All masonry shall be supported on non-combustible material.
7.	Provide proper corner and wall bracing, at corners and every 25 ft. of wall length.
8.	Provide moisture barrier over exposed wood where brick or stucco will be installed.
9.	Provide emergency egress windows at all sleeping areas (An operable window or door that opens directly to the exterior is required.) The minimum clear opening area must meet the following:
	•	The minimum clear height is 24 inches.
	•	The minimum clear width is 20 inches. Note: the net clear opening area shall not be less than 5.7 sq. ft.
	•	The minimum total opening area is 5.7 sq. ft. at second floor. Note exception: the grade floor window within 44" of exterior grade may be 5.0 sq. ft.
	•	The maximum sill height is 44 inches AFF.
10.	Provide appropriate glass glazing at hazardous locations (all glass within two (2) ft. of the arc of the door). All glazing in hazardous locations is required to be safety glazed regardless of the height above the floor.
11.	Provide sufficient (adequate) ties laterally to ceiling joists. A continuous tie between exterior walls is required.
12.	Provide attic access and walkway to all attic installed appliances of the Standard Mechanical Code.
13.	Provide adequate roof framing: collar ties, wind bracing, purlins and rafter spans.
14.	Veneer shall not be assumed as supporting any load other than its own weight, neither shall it be assumed to add to the strength of the wall.
15.	Vaulted ceiling joists require a ridge beam to support the rafters with engineering certificate provided, signed and sealed by an engineer registered in the State of Arkansas.
16.	Sill plates on concrete slabs and masonry foundation walls shall be treated or decay resistant lumber.
Common Infractions Noted at "Final Inspection"
1.	Must have address posted on the residence as required by City Ordinance.
2.	Smoke detectors (AC/DC) shall be installed and operational (batteries installed).
3.	Fireplace hearth extensions and surround materials shall be installed.
4.	Wood deck construction shall meet the following requirements:
	•	All wood framing less than eight (8) inches from exposed earth that rest on concrete or masonry foundation shall be naturally durable or treated wood.
5.	Finished treads and risers shall be no greater than 7 ¾ in rises and no less than 10” in tread.
6.	Stair handrails shall meet the following requirements:
	•	All stairways having four (4) risers or more above a floor or grade shall be equipped with handrails located not less than 34 inches or no more than 38 inches above the leading edge of tread.
	•	Handrails shall have a circular cross section with an outside diameter of 1.75 inches plus or minus 0.25 inch (exception allowed at wood deck handrails).
	•	Handrails shall be designed and constructed for a concentrated load of 200 lbs. applied at any point and in any direction.
7.	Guard Rails:
	•	Open guardrails shall have intermediate rails or ornamental pattern such that a four (4) inch diameter sphere cannot pass through except, guards at sides of open stairs shall permit 4 3/8" spacing. Total height is 36 inches high.
	•	Guardrail system shall be designed and constructed for a concentrated load of 200 lbs. applied at any point and in any direction at the top of the guardrail.
8.	Balconies, porches, galleries:
	•	All porches, balconies, raised floor surfaced or landings located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below shall have guardrails.
9.	The final grade shall be sloped away from the foundation walls at a minimum slope of six (6) inches in ten (10) ft. (5% grade).
10.	With crawl space accessible construction, all floor insulation shall be completed prior to requesting final inspection.

Additional Notes:
• Be sure you are ready for your inspections.
• A Certificate of Occupancy must be issued before any dwelling is occupied.

If you have further questions, please contact:
City of Conway Building Permits , 450-6107
Lynn Hicks - Building Official, 450-6107
Lee Hill - Building Inspector, 450-6107
Paul Young - Building Inspector, 450-6107
Barbara McElroy - Administrative Assistant II, 450-6107 or 450-6191
Missy Schrag - Administrative Assistant II, 450-6107

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The internet versions of the City of Conway Code, Ordinances, and Maps are provided solely for reference and the convenience of having the materials in a computer-readable and searchable format. The print versions, together with any amendments adopted by the Conway City Council subsequent to the most recent update to the print versions, remain the official versions. If any discrepancies exist between the print and Web versions, the print versions, together with any City Council amendments, shall be considered correct.

Last Updated 6 JUNE 2011