Certified Review - Residential Building Plans

Process Description:
The Certified Review of Residential Building Plans is a residential plan review option designed for individuals and builders who are submitting a set of fully sealed structural plans whereby the design professional affirms that all structural sheets and details have been prepared in conformance with the applicable provisions of the current edition of the North Carolina Residential Code for One & Two Family Dwellings, including architectural, structural, truss layout, schematics, BCI, etc., designs. All other aspects of the regular Single Family & Duplex Housing review process apply. The City of Raleigh also offers other residential plan review options that may be a better choice depending on the specific type of project being submitted such as Standard Review - Residential, Redi Review and Stand Alones - Residential.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

• If property is on a state road then all NCDOT driveway or encroachment permits must be obtained prior to building permit issuance
• Contractor must be licensed by the State of North Carolina unless construction cost is under $30,000.00
• Recorded Map approved and filed with Department of City Planning and Wake County Register of Deeds
• Well and/or septic tank permit from Wake County Environmental, if City water and/or sewer is not available
• Building Permit for demolition work must be issued and the structure must be demolished prior to submitting plans for review
• Certificate of Appropriateness, if applicable (Historic Districts and Landmarks)
• Board of Adjustment approval, if applicable
• Client should contact the City of Raleigh Housing and Environmental Division at (919) 807-5110 to investigate potential active housing cases on the property. Or use the online tool, Public Access, to research your property for active housing cases. If an active case is found, Housing/Environmental staff will provide instructions to the client for resolving all pending issues and closing the case. May also use the Wake County Property Search online tool for further information regarding the property
• Client must comply with the City of Raleigh Tree Conservation process
• Contractor information (contractor license, contact information, business license, workers compensation, certificate of liability insurance, etc.) must be complete, current and valid in the City of Raleigh Contractor file
• Contact the Development Services Customer Service Center at 919-516-2495 to confirm that the Contractor file information is correct and up to date
• Contractor must have a City of Raleigh Business License, if work is being done within the City Limits of Raleigh

How do I start the process?

• Complete a City of Raleigh Permit Application
• Complete One and Two Family Log Sheet
• Reference the One and Two Family Residential Submittal Guide prior to submittal

What do I need to submit to the City?

SUBMITTAL PACKAGE
Required for Submittal	City of Raleigh Permit Application Two (2) copies of plot plans to include the plot plan stamp Two (2) copies of building plans One and Two Family Log Sheet Certified Plan Statement, if submitting for the Certified plan approval. This statement must be transposed onto the plans.

What additional documents may be needed?

• Driveway Cut Permitting Requirements
• Well and/or septic tank permit from Wake County Environmental, if City water and/or sewer is not available
• If he structure is within six (6) inches of the building setback, a City of Raleigh Building Setback and Easement Agreement is required
• Annexation paperwork, if outside Raleigh City Limits and tapping onto city water & sewer
• Cross Access Agreement, if applicable. Cross access agreements are legal agreements made between private property owners. They are recorded at the Wake County Register of Deeds and include provisions to allow two or more property owners to have the right of access across one or more properties. It is typically applied to shared vehicular access in the case of a subdivision, site plan or zoning condition
• Certificate of Appropriateness, if applicable (Historic Districts and Landmarks)
• Board of Adjustment approval, if applicable
• Plot Plan Stamp
• Smoke Alarm Requirements
• R313 Carbon Monoxide Alarms
• Wood Decks - 2009 Appendix M
• Deck Brochure

Where can I find detailed information regarding submittals?

Residential Plan Submittal Guide

Where do I submit my application?

Plan submittal packages may also be dropped off at the address below and they will be couriered daily to the Litchford Satellite office location:

Note: Dropping off submittal packages at this location will result in a one day delay in processing to allow for courier time.

What are the keys to success?

• Complete City of Raleigh Permit Application accurately and legibly
• Plans are drawn to architectural scale and legible
• Plot Plans are drawn to engineer's scale and legible. Must include the plot plan stamp
• Ensure that plan content meet requirements as outlined in the One and Two Family Submittal Guide
• Verify that the project address is correct. To check the current address assigned to a specific property, check the iMAPS on-line property mapping system. If you think your address is incorrect, contact the GIS Addressing Team at (919) 780-4471 for address assignments
• Recorded Map - If there is no Recorded Map for the property, then a copy of the current survey in addition to the property description on file with Wake County Register of Deeds is acceptable
• If there is no recorded map for the property, a copy of the current survey, in addition to the property description on file with Wake County Register of Deeds, is acceptable
• All building plans are designed to meet the requirements of the current North Carolina State Code(s)
• Make sure that the square footage is the same on the application as it is on the plans
• Contractor information (contact information, business license, workers compensation, liability insurance, etc.) must be correct in the City of Raleigh Contractor file. Contact the Development Services Customer Service Center at (919) 516-2495 to confirm the accuracy of all required data
• All contractors must have a City of Raleigh Business License, if work is being done within the City Limits of Raleigh, unless you are a homeowner acting as your own contractor
• Contractor must have proof of Workers Compensation or process a Worker's Compensation Exception Form (Contractor's option)
• Be aware that permits will not be issued to the final 25% of the development until all Infrastructure Construction requirements are met
• Effective July 1, 2010, NFPA 13D Multipurpose (or "Combination") Fire Sprinkler Systems to be installed in one and two family dwellings will be reviewed and inspected as part of the Plumbing trade. An additional and separate Plumbing permit will be required to install the 13D systems. Single Family Dwellings are not required to have a Fire Sprinkler System installed; however, townhouses with two (2) or more units will be required to have a Fire Sprinkler installed. (Note: Traditional stand alone fire sprinkler systems shall continue to be reviewed and inspected by the Fire Trade)

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?
See Development Services Fee Schedule

How long will this process take?

• Approximately four (4) business days for Certified Plan Review
• Approximately (4) - (8) business days for re-submittals (plans previously reviewed with unresolved issues)