Work Not Requiring a Building Permit

Planning & Building Department

Building

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet. (Verify location and structure height with the Planning Department and Padre Dam)
• Fences not over 6 feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the fence. (Verify location and structure height with the Planning Department and Padre Dam)
• Oil derricks.
• Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1.
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route. (Padre Dam approval required)
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
• Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a single-family home or duplex (or other Group R-3 occupancy) that are less than 24 inches deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground. (Padre Dam approval required)
• Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
• Window awnings in Group R-3 occupan­cies and Group U (utility) structures, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
• Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height.
• Retaining walls that are not over 3 feet in height, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids. New retaining walls may require a grading permit. (Please check with the Engineering Department at (619) 258-4100 Ext. 167 before beginning any wall)

Electrical

• Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
• Radio and television transmitting stations: The pro¬ visions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
• Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.

Gas

• Portable heating appliance.
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

Mechanical

• Portable heating appliance.
• Portable ventilation equipment.
• Portable cooling unit. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code. Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe. Portable evaporative cooler. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.

Plumbing

• The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
• The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and re-installation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

General Repairs

Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures, replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. Such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.

Emergency repairs

Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next two working business days to the building official.

*Exemptions

Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.