Some Basics You Should Know About Applying For Pueblo County Building Permits

By Stephen Reed


Within your area, there is a municipal building department that is responsible for ensuring that your local building codes are enforced. This body issues building permits before one can construct, alter, demolish or renovate a building. By getting Pueblo County building permits, you make it possible for the municipality to protect not only your interests, but also those of your community.

Before your application for a permit is approved, it will first get reviewed and the municipality will evaluate the work that needs to be done and whether it complies with the local codes. Building codes are used to set the standards for the construction and design of buildings within a specific area. Ideally, all constructions must meet specified zoning bylaws, resource conservation, accessibility, safety, health and fire protection objectives.

Even if you legally own a specific lot, there are developments you cannot do without first getting a permit. This very important document has to be obtained before you put a mobile structure on your property or construct one that exceeds ten square feet. You also need to get a permit before constructing seasonal buildings, excavating, renovating, extending, repairing or altering the use of an existing structure. If you want to install, repair, extend, or alter an on-site sewer system, you are also required to first obtain a permit.

There is a process that follows once a permit is applied for. First, there is a form you must obtain and fill and it can be obtained from the municipality offices or the Ministry of Municipal Affairs website. Before you submit your application form, also attach all documents allied with a project, including building plans and drawings.

If your application is seen to adhere to the zoning bylaws and building codes in your area, it will be forwarded to various other municipal officials for in-depth reviewing. The permits for trivial building additions and changes normally get approved quickly and easily. More intricate proposals may however take longer to get approved.

It should take between 10-30 days for your application to be approved or refused. In case it is turned down, the municipality will bother to point out the reasons why. You can reapply once you have resolved the highlighted problems. If the problems touch on technical requirements of the building codes or zoning bylaws, you can work with a lawyer to have your issue reviewed in court.

Once you are free to start constructions, you will need to schedule for mandatory inspections at predetermined stages of your project. The municipality will take between 2-5 working days to conduct the inspections. The work of an inspector is to affirm that your undertakings adhere to the building codes as well as with the terms of your permit and approved plans.

Getting building permits is not easy. This is more so the case if you are making an application for the first time and you have no idea about what the process entails. To make it easier for you to get the much needed document, you may want to work with qualified and proficient contractors.




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