There are a lot of build variables and different build materials in anyone building design.

There’s plenty of misinformation out there on this topic. Make sure to do your homework and research carefully before hiring someone for jobs like carport installation or patio cover construction.  Changing the original footprint of your home always calls for a building permit. This applies to projects like adding rooms, expanding garages, building carports, putting up patio covers, and most outdoor decks or fences. Your home’s original design was made to handle specific loads distributed through walls and other elements. Altering those calculations can affect the whole structure. Plus, many cities have rules that limit how big the structure can be.

If a DIYer or contractor skips getting a building permit, the project could be stopped. Even if the work is finished, the owner still has to secure the proper permit. Building permits play a key role in public safety by making sure construction is safe and meets engineering standards and building codes.

Contractors need to know the building codes and permit requirements and shouldn’t intentionally stray from them. It’s always a good idea to do some homework and check with your local building inspectors to see if a permit is needed.

Code requirements are often updated periodically, and the forthcoming international building codes (IBC) will rectify outdated standards of 90 mph wind loads by raising the wind load requirement to 115 mph upon the adoption of the 2018 IBC. 

A building permit is generally required, particularly for construction within the majority of city jurisdictions. Permits are essential for constructing, altering, repairing, enlarging, moving, or demolishing any primary or accessory structure, including those for outdoor living spaces. The permitting process guarantees that construction complies with safety, stability, and current minimum building code requirements.  Adhering to all necessary building codes is crucial for safety. 

Please allocate time for the permit application process. Most permits take about a week or two for review, so it’s necessary to prepare a drawing and a building materials submission package to leave at City Hall for the inspectors' examination. Should they need clarification, they will contact us. A building engineer or inspector may offer suggestions and has the authority to approve or reject any application. Be informed that our expedited building permit service comes with additional fees. These fees compensate for our efforts to secure a building permit on behalf of the customer. The fee varies with the project's complexity; more complex projects incur higher fees for permit acquisition assistance. For projects that go beyond a simple building permit application, engaging additional professionals may be required, allowing us to focus on construction. 

While Oklahoma State establishes basic building codes for safety, local jurisdictions may implement stricter or modified regulations. Generally, the more localized the governing body, the more rigorous the codes, although certain circumstances may necessitate further provisions. Building permits are essential for ensuring adherence to the latest and most relevant codes, with a focus on safety. Meeting at least the minimum code standards is vital. Nonetheless, some clients may opt to surpass these standards, considering that certain codes, such as the 90-mph wind load requirement, are considered obsolete for our region. Given that our area often encounters storms with winds exceeding these minimum limits, reinforcing structures, particularly for outdoor living spaces, with larger poles and engineered beams is advisable to endure such intense winds. Customers are always permitted to exceed the minimal building code requirements and construct more robust structures if they choose to do so. 

We offer additional services such as handling the building permit application fee on behalf of the customer, but we cannot guarantee the outcome of the permit application. Typically, we must prepare a drawing of the property, indicating the location of the proposed addition, and compile a review process submission package. This allows authorities to verify that the building materials used comply with building code requirements and that all procedures are properly followed. The permit process can be complex and time-consuming, depending on the reviewing authority’s workload. It is no longer a simple walk-in, walk-out process to obtain building permit approval as it might have been in bygone eras. We must submit our package and await its review process to take place. If the building inspector has questions, they may contact us for discussion. They may also request changes to the project. After addressing any concerns, we typically receive authorization to pick up the approved permit and proceed. Nowadays, we often have to pay the bid application fees upfront, despite the possibility of the application being declined for various reasons. Therefore, we require payment for this service in advance. There has been only one instance of a complete application denial, which occurred because the property owner was not aware of high-pressure gas pipelines buried in their front yard, making it impossible to build in that area, so we lost our building permit application fee. The neighbors across the street had a carport, but on their side of the street in that same area, there was no obvious sign that they would be restricted. We got denied for the project we were proposing to build, and what they could build was so small that the customer declined to move forward.