Breaking Down the Permitting Process for Your Carolina Warehouse Needs

The Permitting Process is a Breeze with These Five Tips

Your North or South Carolina business is growing, but in order to build new facilities or retrofit your existing spaces, you’ll have to go through the permitting process. Whether you’re building near the sandy beaches or the Smokey Mountains, be prepared to go through a similar planning, documentation, and approval process wherever you are – though timing and fees often vary. The more energy you put into preparations, the easier the process becomes. 

Apex has created an excellent resource called the 5-Step Permit Process, which guides you through each step. We outline the deliverables you can expect to need and provide helpful tips. Keep these guidelines handy for your next big project.

5 Steps to Permit Acquisition

Step 1 – Pre-Submittal

Step 2 – Submission

Step 3:   Comments/Re-Submittal

Step 4 – Permit Approval/Pick-Up

Step 5 – Inspections/Permit Close-Out

Five Steps to Obtaining Your Permits

STEP 1 – PRE-SUBMITTAL

Reach out to the Building Department in the city where your facility is to be located and ask them a few questions: 

Note: Keep track of the name and phone number you speak to in the building department – this will come in handy later! 

1. Using the physical address of the new location, confirm the jurisdiction. You’ll need to know if your project will be under the jurisdiction of the City, County, Town, or even another municipality entirely. 

2. Documentation is always necessary – so confirm which you’ll need to hand in: 

1. • Is there an Application form?
   • How many sets of stamped drawings and calculations do they need?
   • Are any supplemental plans needed? What are they? Your general contractor or customer can provide the following: 
     • Egress plans
     • Site plans
     • Fire safety (sprinkler) plans
     • High-piled storage plans*

*These plans may need a separate permit based on the type of inventory expected.

3. How long can you expect your plans to be in review? Consider asking if they provide an expedited review option.

4. Do other departments, such as Fire or Zoning, need to review your permit?

5. Ask about the money:

1. • Are there required fees? What are they?
   • When is payment due? On submission?
   • What are acceptable forms of payment?

6. How will they let you know your permit has been approved? What is the process for picking it up?

7. Is there an inspection process? What is it? When will it happen?

STEP 2 – SUBMISSION

Gather all of the documents indicated in the above step –this will be your packet, which is now ready to submit. You’ll most likely need to submit this online, though you may also be allowed to mail the packet through UPS or another reputable carrier. You’ll want to make sure to:

1. Confirm that they’ve received the packet through either email or phone call. Do this one day after submitting or receiving a delivery confirmation. 

2. Keep track of the date you submitted the permit and follow up with the department based on the submission timeline you received initially.

STEP 3: COMMENTS/RE-SUBMITTAL

Note:  The city will likely provide comments throughout the submission packet once it’s been reviewed.

Thoroughly read and respond to all questions, providing additional information as needed.

1. Read through the packet and take note of any questions or comments. You’ll want to provide any additional information as soon as possible to keep the process moving.

• They may have indicated corrections that need to be made in your drawings. Have this done by a CAD manager – preferably whoever created the drawings originally. 
• You may need to contact a Stamping Engineer to correct any stamped drawings or calculations, as indicated. 
• The customer may also need to correct their drawings, so contact them if necessary. 

2. Contact the city to confirm the resubmission process and the timeline of the new review.

STEP 4 – PERMIT APPROVAL/PICK-UP

The city will contact you once your permit is approved and ready to go. If you don’t hear from them by the expected date, you’ll want to follow up with them ASAP. Next steps: 

1. Process the permit payment and ensure you get a receipt. You’ll need to include this when reviewing costs with the customer. 

2. Choose someone to pick up the permit.

3. The permit needs to be taken to the job site once obtained, and it will need to stay there until the final inspection is passed.

STEP 5 – INSPECTIONS/PERMIT CLOSE-OUT

Note: You can only load up the racking system after passing the final inspection.

Schedule a formal inspection with the city. This requires the inspector to visit the job site and thoroughly inspect the project. Before signing off on the project, expect the inspector to look at warehouse safety items such as lighting, exits, fire extinguishers, and signage. If no issues are found, the permit will be signed and approved, and the racking will be ready for use.

The final step in the process includes scheduling a city inspector to perform the final inspection. The inspector will arrive on-site to view safety elements in the warehouse, such as marked exits, lighting, signage, and fire safety items. Once everything has been deemed safe, the inspector will sign the permit. After this happens, the racking can now be loaded with inventory. 

• Inspections can typically be scheduled with 24 hours notice by calling the city’s building department.
• You may need an additional inspection by a third party before the city inspection. Confirm whether this is the case and complete these inspections before scheduling with the city. 
• You may be able to request a partial inspection before the entire project is complete. 
• The completed project can be handed to the customer once the final inspection has been approved and signed off. 

 *Make sure you document and keep track of any and all additional costs associated with the permit process. This can include revisions to drawings, partial inspections, permit fees, etc. Invoice the customer for these fees.

Jumping Through Hoops, or Done For You?

If an elevator sounds like an easier option to the stairs, we’ve got options for you. The project installation department at Apex Carolinas takes the whole process out of your hands. We take care of the permitting process to ensure that every part of the project moves as it should. From warehouse design through to installation, We’ve got this. Furthermore, once your installation has taken place, we’ve got a team to handle ongoing rack inspections and repairs. 

In North and South Carolina, Apex truly is your one-stop shop. Call today to plan your next project!