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Building Permits
Avondale Estates manages all building permits and inspections through Community Core. Use this platform to apply for permits and schedule inspections.
For step-by-step guidance on the application process, please refer to the How to Apply for a Building Permit section below.
When is a Building Permit Needed?
- Constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing or changing the occupancy of any structure,
- Repairs and maintenance costs are equal to, or greater than $300,
- The proposed construction activities include roofing or structural work,
- The changes affect zoning (such as changes in lot coverage) and any land-disturbing activities requiring staff review including:
- Any project disturbing more than 1,000 square feet of land or introducing more than 1,000 square feet of impervious surface requires a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP). Please note: The first 1.2 inches of stormwater must be contained on-site.
- Stump grinding, or
- Driveway replacement/improvement.
- Work will occur within a Local Historic District, or
- Work or activities block, impede, or otherwise affect sidewalks, streets or other rights-of-way (ROWs).
Separate trade permits are required when installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing any drainage, sewer, gas, mechanical (HVAC), electrical, or plumbing system (regardless of value).
Note: Fences, driveways, plumbing and HVAC systems all require permits.
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Josh Weston
City Analyst and Permit Services Coordinator
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Lori Leland
Planning and Development Director
- Commercial Alteration
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- Demolition - Commercial
- Tenant Finish
- Commercial Miscellaneous
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- Dumpster
- Sign
- PV System - Commercial
- Cell Tower
- Commercial New
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- New Commercial
- New Multi-Family
- Fire
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- Commercial Fire Marshal Permit
- Fire Protection
- Fire Suppression - Kitchen Hood
- Miscellaneous
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- Driveway
- Fence
- Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) greater than 1 acre
- Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) less than 1 acre
- PV System - Residential
- Tree recompense for removal of trees
- Residential Alteration
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- Carport - Patio Cover
- Demolition - Residential
- Pool
- Residential Addition
- Residential Remodel
- Retaining Wall
- Deck
- Residential Miscellaneous
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- Driveway
- Tree Removal
- Tree Recompense
- Residential PV Systems
- Residential New
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- Attached Single Family
- Detached Garage
- Detached Single Family
- Zoning
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- Certificate of Appropriateness (HPC)
- Final Plat
- Lot Consolidation
- Lot Subdivision
- Re-zoning
- Variance
How to Apply for a Building Permit and Receive a Certificate of Occupancy:
- Sign up or log in to the Community Core portal. If you are a contractor, include the contractor affidavit (linked here).
- Apply for a Permit: Choose the appropriate permit for your project.
- Upload Required Files: Submit all necessary files for zoning, land disturbance, and building plan review. This includes the Homeowner as Contractor Affidavit and Plan Review Waiver as applicable.
- Zoning and Building Plan Review:
- Allow 10 business days for the first round of plan reviews.
- Allow 5 business days for subsequent reviews.
- Properties in the historic district may require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA), issued by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). This must be completed before a building permit can be issued.
- Address Plan Reviewer's Comments: If reviewers suggest changes or clarifications, respond and revise plans accordingly. Please ensure that you indicate any changes in your plans by using a cloud or highlighting them.
- Submit Plan Revisions: After addressing comments, submit PLAN REVISIONS by uploading the revisions into the "Documents" section of your permit. Select "Yes" when you see the prompt "Are you resubmitting plans"?
- Pay Permit Fees: After the construction plans are approved, pay the required permit fees.
- Complete Contractor Registration:
- Contractors must fill out the Contractor Affidavit.
- Contractors must upload a business license, state trade license (if applicable), and the contractor affidavit into their registration.
- *Permits will only be issued to licensed contractors.*
- Permit Issuance: Upon completion of the prior steps, you will receive a permit via email.
- Request Inspections: Inspections are scheduled through Community Core. Inspections can be requested for the following business day only if the request is made before 3 pm.
- Final Inspection and CO/CC Issuance: As-built drawings are required for all new construction. Once all inspections are passed, you'll receive a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Certificate of Completion (CC).
- When is a building permit needed?
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A building permit is needed under the following conditions:
- Construction, enlargement, alteration, repairment, relocating structures, demolition, and occupancy changes
- When the work to be done exceeds $300
- Roof or structural work
- Work that affects zoning (such as lot coverage changes)
- Expansion of lot coverage.
- Stump grinding
- Driveway replacement or improvements
- Work in the historical district
- Work that impedes or is in the public right of way
- How do I register in Community Core as a Contractor or Community Member?
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Visit the Community Core portal and register as either:
Contractor
- Select "Contractor", enter your email, and follow the emailed prompts. You have 24 hours to complete the registration process before the emailed link becomes invalid.
- During registration, prepare to upload your business license, state trade license, and the contractor affidavit for Avondale Estates when prompted.
- Once the documents are uploaded and submitted, they will be reviewed by city staff within 10 business days.
- Note: If you are registered with Community Core in another jurisdiction, you will still need to register with Avondale Estates. Use the same email and password that is used for other jurisdictions and then you can toggle between accounts.
Community Member (resident, architects, permit expediters, etc)
- Select "Community Member", enter your email, and follow the emailed prompts. You have 24 hours to complete the registration process before the emailed link becomes invalid.
- Note: If you are registered with Community Core in another jurisdiction, you will still need to register with Avondale Estates. Use the same email and password that is used for other jurisdictions and then you can toggle between accounts.
- How do I apply for a permit?
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Once you have registered in Community Core, select APPLY FOR A PERMIT. Then select the permit type and permit category. Complete the permit application and upload your plans. Then select Submit Application.
- If you are applying for a residential building permit and do not wish to receive a building code plan review by SafeBuilt, please fill out the Plan Review Waiver.
- If you are applying for a residential building permit and plan to be the general contractor, please fill out the Homeowner as Contractor Affidavit. Sub-contractors will still be required to register separately and apply for their own sub-permits.
Staff will then review all permit applications for zoning compliance and stormwater management. If any revisions are required, the applicant must submit revised plans to address the comments.
Once the plans are approved by staff, fees will be assessed.
- How do I pay my fees?
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- Log into Community Core
- On the left side of the screen, select Fees
- In the upper right corner, select Actions
- Select Enter Payment
- Select Continue
- Enter the balance. You can also select full balance
- Follow the prompts to enter credit card information
- How do I request an inspection?
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- Log into Community Core
- Navigate to the permit for inspection
- Select the Inspections tab
- Select Request Inspections in the top right corner
- Select the type of inspection to be performed and the requested date.
Inspections requested before 3 pm Monday through Friday can be scheduled for the following business day. Ensure the inspector has access to the property. We cannot guarantee a time of day for when the inspector will arrive.
- Do I need to fill out paperwork to remove a tree?
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Yes, the Tree Removal Form must be completed before removing any tree(s). Visit the city's Tree Ordinance page for more information.
- When do I receive a Certificate of Occupancy/Completion?
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A Certificate of Occupancy/Completion may be requested through the Community Core portal once the following conditions have been met:
- All permitting fees are paid in full
- All inspections have passed
As-built approval and inspection Certificate of Occupancy (COs) & Certificate of Completion (CCs) may be requested through the Community Core portal once all the following conditions have been met:
- All permitting fees are paid in full
- All inspections have passed
- No holds, stop-work orders or citations have been issued
- As-built approval and inspections have passed and Post-development survey has been approved for new Residential and Commercial Build-Out
- When do I need a Land Disturbance Permit?
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A Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) is required when the project requires ANY of the following:
1) Grading any land.
2) Building a new structure (including accessory structures) or any addition to an existing structure.
3) Any activity that adds one thousand (1,000) or more square feet of impervious surface to any lot.
4) The addition of any amount of impervious surface to a lot where existing structures exceed the maximum lot coverage for the subject lot under the current zoning code.
5) Land disturbance of more than five thousand (5,000) square feet of land.
The application for an LDP should include the following documentation and submitted via Community Core:1) Site plan and survey of the lot involved
2) Existing and proposed conditions
3) Demolition plan, if applicable
4) Drainage, erosion control and grading plan including location of stormwater pipes, and downspouts
5) Phased erosion control plans (initial, intermediate, and final)
6) Utility plan (with sanitary sewer profiles)
7) Tree removal and replacement plan
8) Construction drawings
9) Post-construction stormwater management plan which demonstrates compliance with best management practices and demonstrates that the first 1.2 inches of water received on the lot during a stormwater event will [be] retained or treated onsite
10) Hydrologic model proving the first 1.2 inches of stormwater will be retained or treated onsite.
- Are stormwater improvements required for my permit?
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Stormwater must be addressed ANYTIME a Land Disturbance Permit is required. See above for more details.