One Step at a Time — Apex Experts Break Down the Permitting Process for Colorado Customers

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Multi-Level Installation - Apex Companies

Progress Through the Permit Process in 5 Manageable Steps

Obtaining building permits for new facilities and retrofits follow a similar path no matter where in the country you’re located. Whether high in the Rocky Mountains region or the eastern Great Plains, you can expect the plans, documentation, and approval process to be reasonably consistent. What will vary are such things as timing and fees. However, the better prepared you are, the more smoothly the process will go. 

The Apex 5-Step Permit Process is a terrific tool to help guide you through. As you will see, we outline expected deliverables and note a few heads-up along the way. Save the following guidelines to stay compliant, stay safe, and get the job done right.

One Step at a Time

Step 1 – Pre-Submittal

Step 2 – Submission

Step 3:   Comments/Re-Submittal

Step 4 – Permit Approval/Pick-Up

Step 5 – Inspections/Permit Close-Out

 

Apex 5-Step Permitting Process

STEP 1 – PRE-SUBMITTAL

Contact the building department in the city where the facility is located and ask these questions:

Note: Always document the name and phone number of the person you speak to at the building department.

A. Based on the physical address — confirm the jurisdiction. Does City, County, Township, or another municipality have jurisdiction over the project?

B. Confirm the documentation you will need to submit:

    • Application form?
    • Stamped drawings & calculations – Ask how many sets they require.
    • Confirm what, if any, supplemental plans are needed. You can obtain the following plans from the customer or general contractor for submission — egress plans, site plans, fire sprinkler plans, and high-piled storage plans (high-piled plans may require a separate permit based on the inventory).

C. How long is the plan review process? Ask if expedited review is an option?

D. Will the permit be reviewed by other departments such as Fire or Zoning?

E. Develop a fee schedule:

  • What are the required fees, if any?
  • Is payment due with the submittal?
  • What are acceptable forms of payment?

F. How will you be notified, and what is the process for picking up the permit?

G. What is the inspection process?

STEP 2 – SUBMISSION

Once you’ve gathered all the required documents, the packet is ready to submit –likely through an E-submittal or online submission; however, you can also mail the packet using UPS or other dependable carriers.

A. Call to confirm receipt of the packet within a day of submittal or delivery confirmation.

B. Document the permit submission date and schedule a follow-up with the city based on the timeline you received in the initial contact.

STEP 3: COMMENTS/RE-SUBMITTAL

Note: You will most likely get comments from the city once the application is reviewed.

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

  • If drawings need corrections, have them corrected by a CAD Manager (preferably the person that created the original drawings).
  • If the stamped drawings/Calcs need corrections, reach out to a Stamping Engineer.
  • If customer-provided drawings need corrections, reach out to the customer.

B. Contact the city and confirm the following:

  • Resubmission process?
  • Review process timeline?

STEP 4 – PERMIT APPROVAL/PICK-UP

The city will usually contact you when the permit is approved and ready for pick up. Schedule to follow up with the city if you do not hear from them by the expected date.

A. Pay for the permit and always get a receipt. Present the receipt when you submit the costs to the customer.

B. Confirm who will pick up the permit.

C. Once the permit is obtained, take it to the job site, where it will remain until the project passes the final inspection (see steps below).

STEP 5 – INSPECTIONS/PERMIT CLOSE-OUT

Note: Until the racking system passes the final inspection, it cannot be loaded. 

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

A. To schedule an inspection, call the city’s Building Department –typically, they are scheduled with 24-hours’ notice.

B. Confirm if any 3rd party inspections are required. In Colorado, you may need to schedule 3rd party anchor inspections before the city inspection.

C. If needed, ask about a “Partial Inspection” to get certain portions of the rack approved for use before the entire project is complete.

D. Once “Final Inspection” is approved, you can turn over the completed project to the customer.

E. Document ALL permit & inspection costs remitted in support of the permit process. This includes stamped/signed drawings, anchor inspections, permit fees, etc. Process expenses through the proper channel for invoicing.

 

5-Steps or One Call –It’s Up to You

If you’d rather take a gondola than the steps, call the Apex team to complete your project installation. Our systems and project experts will ensure a smooth ride and control the costs and timing throughout the permitting process. We offer seamless support from warehouse design through project management and installation. What’s more, once you’ve put your system into use, if you need regular rack inspections or post-accident assessments, we’ve got a team for that too!

One Call Does It All –Apex is your full-service warehouse provider. Call today for more information.

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