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1. What is the current review period for building drawings?

We generally review plans within a targeted 3-5 day period. If revisions are required after the initial review, we only want the pages re-submitted that had comments on them, not another full revised set. Larger plans and number of projects under review may affect this period somewhat.

2. Can the drawings be submitted via mail, Fed Ex, etc.?

We prefer plans to be submitted electronically and we can set up an ftp account for you for plans larger than typical email attachments will handle. Contact us and we can set up this account for you generally in a time span of a few minutes.

3. Can we use an expediter?

We prefer to deal directly with designers or general contractors on our plan submissions, but we will work with anyone who can supply the information correctly. We require a permit application with every initial submission for review but this can be submitted by a design professional or expediter prior to a contractor being selected. We need the licensing and insurance information for the contractor and all known subcontractors prior to actually issuing the permit.

4. Do the plans need to be embossed?

No, we accept electronic delivery of the plans as long as the seal is properly displayed and signed, we are OK. State of Tennessee registered design professional seals are required.

5. Do we need the contractor's name at the time of permit?

Yes, before the permit is issued. As indicated above, a design professional, expediter or construction manager may submit the initial application and plans for the review process to begin. The Combination Permit will only be ISSUED to a properly licensed contractor, design professional or construction manager.

6. Do we need to state any subcontractor's names?

List all that you know at the time the permit is applied for. Before any subcontractor shows up on the site and starts work, they need to be listed on the Contractor/Subcontractor Listing and have their licenses and insurance verified.

7. Do we need to submit licenses for any contractors?

If they are not local contractors who are already listed in our system, we will need license information (state & local if required) before they permit can be issued.

8. Are insurance certificates or bonds required?

Liability and worker's compensation insurance is required for all contractors (including subcontractors) and we must see proof of these. A bond is not required.

9. Do we need to submit to the Fire Department separately?

No, there is only one submission. that is to our office. If we need additional approvals from other department or agencies, we will obtain them as part of the review process or advise you after the initial review that additional reviews are required and give you contacts for these agencies.

10. Do we need to submit either Fire Alarm of Fire Sprinkler drawings with the original permit application?

They can follow at a later time but must be submitted in time for review and approval and prior to this portion of the work beginning on site.

11. Are energy calculations required?

Yes, the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code applies.

12. How many permits do I need and who obtains them?

On most commercial projects, there is only once Commercial Combination permit issued ant eh general contractor or construction manager obtains this permit. It is an all-inclusive permit ant the permit fee is based on the total cost of construction for the entire project. The permit applicant will submit a Contractor/Subcontractor Listing form along with the permit application that provides the required information about all of the subcontractors for the project. Should you need to phase your project, such as the need to start foundation work prior to all plans being completed, we can accommodate this request. Discuss this with the Code Enforcement staff to work out the submissions requirements and coordinate plan submissions.

13. Do we need low voltage permits? If so, so low voltage drawings have to be submitted prior to issuing the building permit?

Low voltage is part of the Commercial Combination permit issued for the project. Low voltage portions of the project, including the subcontractors, may be submitted at a later date after permit issue, but need to be submitted in sufficient time for review and approval before these portions of the work start on site.

14. Special Flood Hazard Area Requirements

If your property is in the Special Flood Hazard Area, then you will need to provide a Flood Elevation Certificate and the design, if new construction, must be based on the Design flood elevation. A final elevation certificate must be submitted for approval after the Base Flood Elevation is established to verify compliance with the Design Flood Elevation. If the project will be substantial improvement or renovation of an existing building elevation of the building or other approved flood proofing measures will be required.

15. A complete set of design professional's sealed design drawings must include:

1. A Cover Sheet drawing showing a code analysis for the building with any currently adopted minimum building, fire, life safety, and accessibility codes enforceable at the time of the submittal.

2.An approved Site Pan (or civil plans) refer to the Economic & Community Development website for information related to the Site Plan approval process. This process may occur concurrent with the building plan review process.


3.Life Safety Plan showing use for each space with occupant loads based on occupant load factors, exiting paths with exit occupant load and capacity of the exit door or exit stairway; common path and travel distance; limits and enclosures of smoke partitions, smoke barriers, fire-resistance rated partitions, and fire-resistance rated fire walls with appropriate legends.


4. Architectural floor plans showing the use of each space, dimensions, door, door hardware schedules, window schedule, sections, details, UL fire-resistance rated assembly details for rated walls, rated floor/ceiling assemblies, rated roof/ceiling assemblies, rated columns, girders, and beams; head-of-wall joints, and floor-to-exterior wall joints.


5.Structural design plans and details with seismic and other minimum design loads and location and details of any fire resistance rated fire walls.


6.Mechanical HVAC system design drawings which include fire, smoke and combination fire/smoke damper locations, gas furnace/boiler combustion air, fire-resistance rated wall limits and legend that matches architectural plans, UL fire stopping details for penetrations through rated assemblies.


7.Plumbing systems design drawings including fire-resistance rated wall limits and legend that matches architectural plans and UL fire stopping details for penetrations through rated assemblies.


8.Fire protection sprinkler/standpipe/fire pump systems design drawings (when included or required) including fire-resistance rated wall limits and legend that matches architectural plans and UL fire stopping details for penetrations through rated assemblies.


9.Electrical design drawings including complete fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, exit signs, duct smoke detectors for HVAC fan shut down, including fire-resistance rated wall limits and legend that matches architectural plans and UL fire stopping details for penetrations through rated assemblies.


(The above list is not all inclusive and may require additional submissions based on the scope of the project.)