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Building Permits

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1. Where do I apply for a permit?

If you live in the Paola City Limits or in the Growth Area, you may apply for a permit in Paola City Hall, located at 19 East Peoria. We are located on the first floor and the entrance is on the East side of the building (faces Agate Street / Paola Free Library). 

2. What work requires a permit?

Virtually any work outside of routine maintenance or minor repair requires a permit before the work is started. To find out if a specific project requires a permit, please call 913-259-3611 for additional information.

3. What documents do I need to submit with my building permit application?

Most permit requests will require a plot plan (sample located in forms section) and information on the materials being used. New residences, additions, barns, sheds and other buildings will require additional information.

4. What is a site (plot) plan?

The site plan is a drawing of the layout of your property and should include the following information: To scale the size and location of the proposed construction and existing structures, distances from property lines; for new home construction or commercial construction – established street grades and proposed finish grades.

5. Is a permit required to re-roof a house, accessory structure, garage or commercial building?

Yes, permits are required to re-roof any structure.

6. When are plans required to be prepared or sealed by a Professional (Architect or Engineer)?

Generally, plans for construction work involving single family dwellings are not required to be prepared by an architect or engineer, however, some special features not covered by the prescriptive requirements of the codes may require a design to be prepared by a Kansas Registered Design Professional.

Some of the special features that may require plans to be sealed by a licensed professional:

• Walls that are subject to hydrostatic pressure from groundwater;
• Retaining walls that will support fill with a depth of 4 Feet or more;
• Foundation walls exceeding 9-feet in height;
• Footings and foundations that are placed on fill;
• Foundations that are placed on slopes steeper than 4:1 before grading;
• Foundations that are supported on unlike materials such as part on soil and part on rock strata;
• Foundation walls with an unbroken (straight) line exceeding 30-feet;
• Concrete slabs that are located over accessible space that have a clear span of greater than 4-feet in any direction;
• Trusses.

Plans for all new buildings and additions or substantial improvements to existing commercial use buildings are required to have sealed plans by an Architect licensed by the State of Kansas.

7. How long does it take to obtain a building permit?

A full review of the plans and specification will be completed by all departments responsible for checking the project for compliance with all applicable codes and regulations. Depending on the complexity of the project and completeness of plans an answer usually can be given within 3 working days. During peak construction periods, this time frame may be exceeded so please allow sufficient time when submitting applications for a permit.

Please keep in mind that the more complete and accurate your plans and information on your permit application, the faster it is to complete review of your project.

8. What is the minimum size lot that can be developed?

The minimum lot size depends on the zoning district in which the property is located and whether it was created in accordance with the zoning regulations. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 913-259-3611 to check if a parcel meets minimum requirements for specific zoning districts.

9. How close to a property line can I construct a house or other building?

The minimum setbacks depend on the Zoning District in which the parcel of land is located. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 913-259-3611 for details and have the property address and/or nearest intersecting roads available.

10. Is a garage required for new home construction?

Yes. A garage is required for any new residence that is built in the City of Paola, or its Growth Area. The garage may be attached or detached. Please contact us at 913-259-3611 for further specifications.

11. How is my property zoned and what uses are allowed on the property?

Contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 913-259-3611 for details and have the Property address, nearest intersecting streets and side of road where property is located available when contacting us.

12. What work requires licensed contractors?

Property owners may perform any type of work on buildings that they own and will personally occupy. Individuals or companies that act as building contractors in Paola or its Growth Area are required to be licensed.

13. How do I get information on the Contractor Licensing Program?

You may obtain information by visiting (insert link), or you may contact the office at 913-259-3611 for answers or to have one faxed/mailed to you.

14. What are the adopted codes for City of Paola?

Paola currently has adopted the 1994 Uniform Building Code, 1994 Plumbing Code, 1994 Mechanical Code, 1996 National Electrical Code. We anticipate adopting the 2006 I-Codes in 2007.

15. What makes a room a bedroom?

A room is considered a bedroom when the room is at least 70 square fee in area with no dimension less than 7 feet and the room has an adjoining room or space that may be utilized as a closet. This definition will be applied for requirements for smoke detectors, emergency escape and rescue openings.

16. What will my building permit cost?

Permit fees are based upon construction value of the project. The valuation will be determined as part of the plan review process and there is no standard answer. There are some standard fees established and they can be located on the permit fee schedule.

17. What type of inspections are required?

A complete list of required inspections will be included with your approved permit. The handout will outline required inspections and procedures for making inspection requests. A typical residential dwelling will have an average of 10 or more inspections including: footings, foundation walls, foundation drains, under-slab plumbing, building rough-in, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, open trench inspections for electrical, water and gas laterals, interior gas piping installation and pressure testing and a final inspection. Additional inspections may be required based upon the type of work that is being performed.

18. What are the minimum requirements before a new residence can be occupied?

Generally, anything that is considered to be a safety or sanitation requirement must be completed before occupancy of a new building will be granted. A Certificate of Occupancy is required to be issued by the Building Inspector before a building can be occupied legally.

Some of the items that must be complete before occupancy is granted include, but are not limited to the following:
• Approval of onsite wastewater system by the Miami County Environmental Health Department (Growth Area);
• Smoke detectors required by code installed and functioning;
• At least one fully functioning bathroom including a tub or shower, a lavatory and a water closer; any openings in the DWV system for additional fixtures shall be capped;
• A kitchen sink and cooking facilities;
• A water heater with a thermal expansion tank;
• At least one exit including landings, stairs, handrails and guardrails that fully comply with code requirements; additional exit doors do not have landing that are over 30 inches above the outside grade shall be blocked by approved guardrails or be locked by temporary double keyed deadbolts;
• Handrails on stairs with three or more risers and guardrails on porches, decks or similar platforms located 30 inches or more above adjacent surface;
• Required electrical receptacles, switches, lights, fixtures, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, and cover plates;
• Final approval of the electrical service, including grounding system;
• Required mechanical heating equipment shall be completed and approval received;
• Address posted;
• A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy can be obtained until a full final approval of the residence is given.

19. Is an escape window required out of the basement of a new residence?

Yes. The adopted Building Codes require that an “Emergency Escape or Rescue Opening” complying with the minimum requirements be provided out of all basements whether the basement is finished or unfinished.

20. What are the minimum requirements for an emergency egress window?

An emergency escape opening is required out of every bedroom and basement. If a basement is finished and contains one or more bedrooms, the rooms other than the bedroom (s) are not required to have an emergency escape opening.
• Finished sill height shall be no more than 44 inches off of the finished floor
• The minimum clear openable height shall be at least 24 inches
• The minimum clear openable width shall be at least 20 inches
• The minimum clear openable area shall be at least 5.7 square feet. NOTE: One or both the clear openable height or width must exceed the minimum to comply with the minimum clear openable area
• Escape or rescue openings that are located below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well complying with the following:
> A minimum clear area of at least 9 square feet
> A minimum dimension in any direction of 3 feet
> If window well is deeper than 44 inches, a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the stairs in the fully open position shall be provided.

21. Where are smoke detectors required?

Smoke detectors are required inside of each bedroom, centrally located outside of each area containing bedrooms and on each floor level including a basement.

22. Are smoke detectors required to be hardwired?

Smoke detectors are required to be hardwired and have a battery backup. Smoke detectors are required to be interconnected in order that when one detector goes into alarm all detectors sound the alarm. Wiring should be done with a 3 wire electrical cable with a separate grounding conductor, the same type of circuit cable that is used for a 3-way switch.

23. What is the rise and run requirements for stairs?

The maximum rise for a stair is 7 ¾ inches and the minimum tread run is 10 inches. The Largest riser or tread in a stairway shall not exceed the smallest riser or tread by more than 3/8 inch.

24. When is a handrail required for a stairway?

Handrails are required on all stairways with three or more risers. Handrails are required to be located between 34 and 38 inches measured vertically off the stair nosings. The handrail is required to be graspable with a circular cross section of 1 ¼ inches minimum to 2 5/8 inches maximum. Other shapes that provide an equivalent grasping surface are permissible, however a 2 inch nominal dimension piece of lumber is not acceptable unless a finger groove is routed and the corners are rounded.

25. Is a landing required at all exterior doors?

Yes. A landing that is at least 36 inches by 36 inches is required outside of every exterior doorway. Landing may be located not more than 8 inches below the top of the door threshold, provided that the door, other than the screen or storm door does not swing over the landing.

26. When are guardrails required?

Guardrails are required on the sides of porches, balconies, landings, stairways or other walking surfaces that are elevated more than 30 inches above the adjoining surface. A guardrail for a residence must be at least 36 inches in height and be solid or have ornamental rails that will not allow a sphere 4 inches in diameter to pass through. Required guards shall not be construted with horizontal rails that create a ladder effect. Guardrails to resist a single concentrated load or 200 psf applied in any direction at any point along the guardrail.

27. What is the frost depth?

The established frost depth is 36 inches below finished grade.

28. How deep to I need to bury my water lines?

Water lines must be buried at least 36 inches below the finished grade.

29. How deep do electrical lines need to be buried?

Electrical lines are required to be buried at least 24 inches. A warning ribbon that is placed in the trench at least 12 inches above the conductors is required for any underground electrical installation that is not encased in concrete.

30. Can water piping and electrical wiring be in the same trench?

Yes. The electrical code does not prohibit electrical wiring to be placed in a trench separate from water piping.

31. Do I need a permit to install siding on my home?

Yes.

32. Do I need a permit for replacing windows?

If you are re-sizing windows or doing work to headers or other structural work, yes. If you are replacing with the same size windows and do no additional work, no.

33. Do I need a building permit to fence my yard?

Yes. There are requirements for height that need to be verified. There is a set fee for residential fences of $15.

34. How long is a building permit good for?

Six months from the date of issue date and remains valid for up to one year as long as there are inspections being performed.

35. Who do I call for permits, building requirements, code enforcement if I live outside of the City Limits or the Growth Area?

The Miami County Building Department can be reached at 913-294-4145. They are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.\

36. Who do I contact about starting / operating a business?

Contact our office at 913-259-3611 to schedule a consultation. There is a $50 fee which includes a building and life safety inspection, as well as contact with the City’s Planning and Zoning Department. There may be additional requirements, which will be identified during the consultation.