Building Permits

In this section you will find all necessary information in acquiring a City of Fairmont Building Permit. City of Fairmont Building Permits issued shall become invalid unless work authorized by such permit is commended within 180 days after its issuance. The Building Inspector is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. All building permits are deemed invalid 180 days after the date of filing unless an extension has been granted from a City of Fairmont Building Inspector.

• Please note that you may use the Building Permit application for Electrical and HVAC improvements also. 

• What requires a Building Permit?
• Building Permit Fees
• Building Permit Application
• Residential Plan Review Requirements for a Building Permit
• Service Drop Clearance Minimums for Electrical Work
• Typical Grounding Details for Electrical Work

Other Building and Planning Department Applications

In this section you will find all other necessary applications to permit work in other areas that are not included in the Building Permit.

• Grading, Clearing, or Filling Permit Application
• Stormwater Permit Application
• Dumpster Permit Application
• Demolition Permit Application
• Sign Permit Application
• Permit Fee Exempt Application

Rental Registration Program Information

In this section you will find all necessary applications to register your rental property with the City of Fairmont.

• Certificate of Use and Occupancy Application
• Rental Registration Program Inspection Guide for Landlords
• Smoke Detector Requirement

What requires a Building Permit?

• Most Electrical Work Requires a Permit

If you are not sure if you need a permit, please call our office at 304-366-6211 Ext. 303

Building Permit Fees

Residential Plan Review Requirements for a Building Permit

Plans need to be submitted in duplicate for approval. One set will be kept in the Planning/Building Department, and one set will be sent to the Engineering Department. An approved set is to remain at the jobsite at all times.

Plans need to be drawn to scale and completed with the following:

1. PLOT PLAN: Showing exact placement of all buildings existing and proposed. Show distances from lot lines, any existing buildings, and road/street set-backs.
2. FOUNDATION PLAN, FLOOR PLAN, AND CROSS SECTION: Furnish a foundation and each floor plan showing dimensions, partitions, windows, doors, size and direction of floor joists, floor girder(s) size and location, etc.
3. ELEVATION: Drawings of the exterior of the building from all sides including architectural features and landscaping.

The building permit cannot be issued until the proper approvals have been granted by the Planning/Building, Sewer/Water, and Street Departments. All zoning and deed restrictions need to be followed. Flood plans will be checked for all proposed building sites.

The Code Officials are normally in the office for questions between the hours of 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. Monday through Friday, the telephone number is 366-6211, or fax 366-0228. For normal plan review, please drop off plans and fill out an application, for unusual plan review or preliminary plan review please call for an appointment with a plan reviewer.

Rental Registration Program Inspection Guide for Landlords

Being prepared for a Rental Inspection by a City of Fairmont Code Official will result in a more efficient and effective review of your Rental Unit (s).

The following information is not all-inclusive; however, a little diligence to this inspection criterion will result in a successful review of your property.

• EXTERIOR STRUCTURE:    Dwelling unit must have structural integrity of the foundation, walls, roofs, beams, chimneys, and columns. Street numbers must be easily observed.
• INTERIOR STRUCTURE:    Structural members in good condition, structural integrity and proper maintenance of the floors, ceilings, walls, stairs, railings, doors, and windows.
• LIGHT, VENTILATION AND OCCUPANCY LIMITATIONS:    Adequate lighting, operable windows, window or vent in bathroom, independent vent for clothes dryer, 70-sq.ft. sleeping area, adequate ceiling heights, zoned area and occupancy limits.
• PLUMBING FACILITIES AND FIXTURE REQUIREMENTS:    Require bathtub or shower, lavatory, water closet (firmly secured), kitchen sink, all maintained in good working condition with no leaks, hot water maintained not less than 110 degrees F., properly located pressure relief valve on hot water heater, plumbing fixtures properly installed and maintained.
• MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS:    Provide heating facility to maintain 65degress F., Gas appliances require manual control valve adjacent to the appliance and must be provided with a thermocouple. Gas appliance must properly vent via chimney or stack to the outside with no leaks. Must have adequate combustion air, gas dryer required to have separate vent system, heating systems must be properly maintained and kept clean.
• ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS:    Minimum 60 amps. 3 wire service, no open splices or insulation damage. Must have correct wiring method (correct polarity, no open circuits). Two receptacles required in each habitable space, one receptacle required in the bathroom. Disconnects identified, correct over current protection (i.e., #10 wire protected by 30 amp fuse or breaker, #12 wire protected by 20 amp fuse or breaker. #14 wire protected by 15 amp fuse or breaker).
• FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:    Stairs having more than 4 risers require 30” to 42” handrails (measured from nose of the tread). Landing, balcony, porch, deck, ramp or other walking surface over 30” in height require guards not less than 30” high. A safe, unobstructed means of egress shall be provided. Third story and above require two remote approved exits, properly mounted and illuminated exit signs where required. Exit doors must be readily operable from the inside. Hazardous materials (e.g. combustible, flammable, etc.) shall not be accumulated. Smoke detectors are required and to be mounted per the manufacture instructions in each location as follows:

   

  1. Outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms;
  2. Inside each bedroom;
  3. On each floor including basement and/or garages.

   

  Smoke detector violations must be corrected on the same day as inspection. Failure to correct such violation by 4:00p.m. of the day of the inspection, will result in that unit and/or the entire building being vacated and condemned as an unsafe structure. (2003 ICC International Property Maintenance Code PM-108.1 “Unsafe Structure”-not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of a fire).

Smoke Detector Requirement

Smoke Detectors are required to be installed per manufacturer's instructions in each location as follows:

1. 1. Outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
2. 2. Inside each bedroom.
3. 3. On each floor including basements and/or garages.

Smoke detector violations must be corrected on the same day as the inspection. Failure to correct such violation by 4:00 P.M. of the day of the inspection will result in that unit and/or the entire building being vacated and condemned as an unsafe structure. (2003 ICC International Property Maintenance Code PM-108.1.1 "Unsafe Structure" - not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of a fire).