The City of South Salt Lake requires that certain construction work can be performed only after a permit is obtained. This is to insure the health and safety of the public. Plans are reviewed prior to issuance of the permit for compliance with the current building codes. The work is then inspected during construction to confirm adherence to the approved plans and codes. A Certificate of Occupancy or approved final inspection is issued when the work is completed and in substantial compliance with code requirements.

WHY DO I NEED A PERMIT? - Top

There are several advantages to doing improvement projects with a building permit. The primary one is that getting a permit brings you the services of a building inspector. The inspector inspects each phase of the construction process, checking to see that work is done safely and properly. Inspectors also can advise you on your options if you have difficulties.

Secondly, there are legal and financial liabilities that you can face when you don’t get a permit. Work without a permit is illegal and can pose serious complications for you when you try to sell your house. Any fire and homeowner’s insurance you have may be invalidated if you do work without a permit. If there is a fire in your house, the insurance company may use the illegal work as an excuse not to pay on your claim.

WHEN DO I NEED A PERMIT? - Top

The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call the building department at 483-6005. Discuss your plans with the code official before beginning construction to determine whether you need a permit. Even if a permit is not needed, the code official will answer code questions and may provide valuable advice.

WHAT WORK REQUIRES A PERMIT? -Top
There are four standard permits:

Building Permit
Plumbing Permit
Mechanical Permit
Electrical Permit

All structural and some nonstructural work on your home or business require permits. Permits are relatively simple to obtain. When you have completed your drawings, simply bring your plans to the Building Department. Talk with an Inspector and explain what you want to do. When you have completed the proper permit form, you submit it with the necessary drawings. Please be aware that, depending on the degree of difficulty, 1st time plan reviews can vary from 1 day to 3 weeks.

When in doubt the best way to find out if you need a permit is to call the South Salt Lake City Building Department (483-6005). Discuss your plans with a Building Inspector before you begin construction to determine whether you need a permit. If a permit is not needed, the Building Inspector will answer you construction questions and may provide valuable advice.

Permits are required for the following: Top

New buildings
Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family room, etc.)
Residential work (garages, decks, fences, fireplaces, pools, water heaters, lawn sprinklers, etc)
Renovations (garage conversions, basement finishes, kitchen expansions, re-roofing, etc.)
Electrical installations (service upgrade, meter change, new branch circuits, etc.)
Plumbing installations (gas, drain-waste-vent piping, water lines and new water softener installations)
HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) installations
Signs (wall, monument, pole and billboard)

HOW DO I SUBMIT PLANS FOR REVIEW? - Top

Welcome and thank you for deciding to build in South Salt Lake. When you submit plans to the Building Department for review, your plans will be reviewed by several departments. Here is a general idea of how your plan will be reviewed:

Plans are briefly reviewed and logged in.
Reviewed by each department in the following order:
- Zoning Department–
- Engineering/Public Works Department–
- Building Department–
- Fire Department
All plans are signed in and out thru the Building Department Secretary, Shawna Winter (483-6005). As each department reviews the plans, a review report will be written. Once the reviews have all been done, the listed contact person will be notified to pick up plans and reports, make the appropriate corrections and resubmit. Once all requirements have been met, your plan will be stamped approved, issued a permit number, fees assessed and the permit will be released for construction.

Each department has other duties besides plan review so our review process could take a day or two or up to ten working days for the first review. Please plan ahead. Each department reviews plans in the order in which they are received. If you need to make changes and resubmit your plans, the plans will be forwarded to the department who asked for the corrections. They in turn will re-review the plans as they receive them.

We strongly urge you to review our check off list and your plans very carefully to make sure all requested information is included. This will expedite your plan review. If you have any questions about the review process, do not hesitate to call us.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT CODES? -Top

CURRENT CODES ADOPTED BY SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY:

2006 International Building Code
2006 International Residential Code
2005 National Electrical Code
2006 International Plumbing Code
2006 International Mechanical Code
2006 International Fuel Gas Code
2006 International Energy Conservation Code
2006 International Fire Code

WHAT HOURS ARE THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT OPEN? - Top
HOURS OF SERVICE:
Owners and Contractors may apply for permits at City Hall, 220 East Morris Avenue (2430 So.), 1st floor between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
Permits with plans for review will not be accepted the last 15 minutes of the workday, due to an initial review that is required at the counter before acceptance of the permit application.

WHAT ARE THE PERMIT FEES? - Top

Fees are based on the valuation of the project as per 1997 Uniform Administrative Code, Table 3-A. Call the building department for permit fees.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED DESIGN CRITERIA? - Top
REQUIRED DESIGN CRITERIA
Per ESI Engineering Inc. Last update 6/29/04
CODE: IBC 2003; ASCE 7-02
WIND SPEED: 90 mph (3sec)
Exposure: Site specific. Most of SSLC is classified as exposure “B”
Code: For simple diaphragm buildings under 60 ft in height – use IBC 2003. For all other structures use – ASCE 7-02.
SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY: Site specific – SSLC is classified at a minimum as “D” with many sites requiring an “E” Classification depending upon site class and 1 second spectral response acceleration. (greater than 0.75g).
SITE CLASS: Site specific – SSLC may assume “D”. With essential facilities and irregular structures requiring site specific geographical analysis.
GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION: All commercial projects require site specific geotechnical reports. The report shall include as a minimum: Field investigation; description of on site soil conditions; ground water elevation; soil preparation recommendations; allowable soil bearing; suitability of soils for proposed foundation system; liquefaction potential and recommended remedial action if required; recommended site class see IBC Table 1615.1.1.
SSLC recommends that all projects obtain a site specific geotechnical report.
SNOW LOAD: Site specific depending upon elevation with a minimum roof snow load (Pf) of 30 psf, and a minimum ground snow load (Pg) of 43 psf at a base elevation of 4,500 ft. The following chart may be used at higher elevations.

Elevation	Pg (psf)	Pf (psf)
4500	43	30
4750	46	32
5000	54	38

SEISMIC SNOW LOAD: At locations where roof snow load exceeds 30psf include 20% of the roof snow load in the effective seismic weight of the structure.

RAINFALL:

Return Period	15 min.	30 min.	1 hour	6 hour	12 hour	24 hour
10 year	0.54"	0.74"	0.94"	1.46"	1.79"	2.19"
100 year	0.82"	1.14"	1.46"	2.18"	2.70"	3.35"