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1. What are permits?

Permits are the way the City of El Dorado regulates construction. The purpose of this regulation is to provide minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health and general welfare through affordability, structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.

Permits help to ensure that all construction within the City of El Dorado is built in accordance with the codes the city has adopted. In addition to locally adopted codes, there are state and federal laws that govern construction.

There are several different types of permits, based on the type of construction. Individual permits must be obtained for electrical and plumbing work and sprinkler systems. Combination permits can be obtained for any of the following:

• All Types of General Building
• Demolition
• Fencing
• Roofing
• Swimming Pools

Permits should be obtained before any work on the project takes place. In order to obtain the necessary permits there are a few requirements. All construction, other than interior remodels and exterior repairs, must be shown on a site plan of the property. This site plan should be dimensioned and show the location of property lines, location of existing structures and location of new construction. For new construction and additions, floor plans, foundation plans, and elevation views must be submitted as well. In general, residential design can be done by the homeowner or builder and commercial design must be done by a licensed architect accompanied by drawings from structural, electrical, mechanical, and civil engineers.

Once the plans are approved, the project must be built to those plans. Any proposed changes to the plans must be submitted to the building official in writing and must be approved before any changes are made to the plans.

2. When is a permit required?

Permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, or plumbing system, mechanical work, fence or sign. Call 316-321-9100 if you have questions if a permit is required.

3. When is a permit not required?

A permit is not required for items such as wallpapering, painting, or similar finish work. Also, permits are not required for minor repairs such as replacing electrical receptacles and repairing of leaks in pipes, provided new wiring and piping is not needed to make the repair. There is a specific list of projects that are exempt from permit requirements and this list is available from the building official at 316-321-9100. If a permit is not required for the project the building official will, upon request, issue a written statement, listing the specific items that do not require a permit.

4. Who is responsible for obtaining permits?

The individual or the contractor doing the work should always obtain their own permit. A homeowner can obtain their own permit only if they are going to do the work. If a contractor or anyone other than the homeowner is going to do the work, they should get the permit. Homeowners are always responsible for what takes place on their property, therefore if a homeowner has someone do work for them that requires a permit, both parties are responsible.

5. Where are permits issued and how long does it take?

Permits are issued from the Building Department. Permit applications may be obtained at the Building Department or online, and may be returned by fax to 316-322-4450, scanned and emailed to Scott Pechin, Building Official, or through the mail to:
Building Department
216 N. Vine St.
El Dorado, KS 67042

Permit issuance periods vary. Permits that do not require the submittal of any drawings or documentation can be issued over the phone to contractors who are registered with the city. Some permits may be issued over the counter, provided all required submittals are included with permit application. Other projects, new buildings for instance, require that plans be left for additional review. For most residential structures, this review should be completed within a few days. Plan review for commercial buildings could take up to 2 weeks to complete.