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Pony Express Review


Commercial Building Plans


Process Description:
Pony Express is a commercial plan review option for small projects that fall between the scope of the Express Review program and the Stand Alone program.  This review option is designed to expedite small commercial alteration projects. Work types identified as “Interior Completions”, “Additions” or “New Buildings” will not be accepted for this type of plan review. Projects for Medical Facilities will not be accepted for review in this program. Small and simple projects accepted into the program will be reviewed and permitted within five (5) business days.  If your project does not fall into this review category, the City of Raleigh also offers the following commercial plan review options:  Standard Review - Commercial, Express Review - Commercial, and Stand Alones - Commercial.

When does a project require a plan review and/or permits?

According to the State Administrative Code, no person may commence or proceed with:

  1. The construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement to another site, removal, or demolition of any building;
  2. The installation, extension, or general repair of any plumbing system;
  3. The installation, extension, alteration or general repair of any heating or cooling equipment system; or
  4. The installation, extension, alteration or general repair of any electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment...

without first securing from the Inspections Department with jurisdiction over the site of the work each permit required by the North Carolina State Building Codes and other State or local law or local ordinance or regulation applicable to the work. (General Statute 153A-357 and 160A-417). For more details, reference the specific technical code for each trade as provided by the Department of Insurance.  If you are still unsure if your project warrants a review and permitting, contact Leon Skinner at (919) 516-2191 for assistance.

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

Projects that do not qualify for the Pony Express Program:

  • Projects with work types identified as “Interior Completions”, “Additions” or “New Buildings”. Only small commercial Alteration Projects are accepted for this type of review
  • Projects that involve food and/or beverage service requiring Wake Environmental approval   (i.e. Restaurants, Daycares, etc.)
  • Projects that involve water and sewer connections or changes to existing connections requiring Public Utilities approval  
  • Projects that involve Special Hazard Fire Protection Systems of any kind or quantity (Only minor fire alarms and minor sprinkler systems may be accepted for review)
  • Projects involving Hazardous Materials, Hazardous Processes or Hazardous Classification Areas
  • Projects that are Fire Alarm only or Fire Protection only 
  • Projects that involve a posted occupant load change for assembly occupancy
  • Projects that require multiple transaction numbers (i.e. multiple addresses/suites, phased construction, etc.)
  • Medical Facilities will not be accepted for this type of review
  • Field Revisions  will not be accepted for this type of review  


Are there any prerequisites/requirements to this process?

  • The person submitting plans for Pony Express review must be knowledgeable about the project and is prepared to make decisions as they relate to the project during a brief gate keeping interview (i.e. no couriers, runners, drop-offs)
  • Applications and forms must be accurate and complete. Projects may not be accepted into review due to incomplete information
  • Clients may submit up to (2) projects for review per day
  • Clients must sign in at the Inspections Department receptionist desk located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404 upon arrival each day. The sign in list will be made available each day at 8:00 a.m. The maximum number of people on the sign in list will be ten (10) per day
  • Gatekeeping interviews are first come, first served each day  
  • During the brief gate keeping interview, clients will meet with a plans reviewer to determine if their project meets the parameters of the program.  Gate keeping interviews begin at 8:30 a.m. and projects are accepted until 11:30 a.m. each day
  • After a successful gate keeping interview, the project will be accepted into the Pony Express Review program.  Only five (5) projects will be accepted into review per day.  When five (5) projects are successfully entered into the system, all remaining clients will be notified to return the next business day
  • All projects accepted into the Pony Express program will be reviewed in the same order as accepted each day
  • Time slots will not be reserved
  • A plans reviewer may need to follow up with the project contact person by telephone to ask questions or resolve non-compliant issues.  If plan changes are necessary, they can be submitted within two business days between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. for red line changes or inserting revised pages
  • Some projects may need additional time due to coordination with Zoning (i.e. outside mechanical screens) and Stormwater  (i.e. flood zones).  If these projects are accepted into review, then the reviewer will make an adjustment to the permit delivery time 


How do I start the process?

  • Prepare the Standard Submittal Package (see below) 
  • Sign in on the Pony Express daily sign in sheet located at the receptionist desk in the Inspections Department  located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh NC
  • At 8:30 a.m. a plans reviewer will interview the first client on the sign in list to discuss their project and determine if the project meets the guidelines for acceptance. If it is determined that their project does not meet the requirements for the Pony Express program, the client will be instructed to use another review process option and the next client on the sign in list will be interviewed


What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package


Where can I find detailed information regarding submittals?


Where do I submit my application?
Office:               City of Raleigh
Department:    Inspections
Division:           Permits  (must sign in at the receptionist desk)
Address:          One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC  27601
Adjacent to:     219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #:          (919) 516-2495
Hours:              8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Re-Review Process:

  • Re-review comments may be obtained on-line by accessing the Online Development Center.  Click on the Plan Review tab at the top of the form, enter your transaction number or address and then click the Submit button
  • All plan revisions must by clouded.  A transmittal letter must be stapled to the top left corner of each set of plans to include all plan review comments and how they were resolved 
  • Plans submitted for re-review without clouded revisions or a transmittal letter will not be accepted
  • Plans may be submitted for re-review between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
  • Plans submitted for a third review cycle will be assessed a $250.00 re-review fee

 

What are the keys to success?

  • Clients are advised to resolve any pending address  and suite layout  issues prior to signing in for a Pony Express review. 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 Willa Hinton (919) 516-2638.  For all suite address  issues, contact the Inspections Department Permits Division at (919) 516-2573 
  • Inaccurate or missing information on the application and other required forms will prevent acceptance of projects
  • Bring a small plan of the entire building with areas of proposed alteration/renovation with proposed work hi-lighted, also known as a key plan.  This will give the plans reviewer a clear understanding of adjacent occupancies, etc.
  • This expedited service is heavily dependent on the completeness of submitted plans and associated documents
  • All construction plans are designed to current North Carolina State Code(s)
  • Contractor information (contractor license, contact information, business license, workers compensation, liability insurance, etc.) must be complete, current and valid in the City of Raleigh Contractor file. Contact the Permits Division at (919) 516-2573 to confirm the accuracy of all required data
  • Contractor must have a City of Raleigh Business License, if work is being done within the Raleigh City Limits or Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)
  • Contractor must have proof of Workers Compensation, if applicable 
  • Plans must be sealed, signed, and bound by a North Carolina Registered Design Professional
  • Upon plan review approval, the project contact person will be notified by email or telephone that the permit package is ready for pick up . It is not necessary to call and check on the status which will delay the review process 


What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

  • A $300.00 Pony Express review fee is due for all projects accepted into review 
  • The Pony Express review fee is charged in addition to all standard permit fees
  • See Fee Schedule 
  • The Pony Express review fee and all permit fees are due at the end of the process
  • Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
  • All fees are processed by the Inspections Department cashiers located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh NC 
  • The project contact person is responsible for payment of the Pony Express review fee.  The permit package must be paid for and picked up within five (5) business days from date of notification. Failure to comply will result in permits being voided and a “hold” being placed on the address meaning that no additional permits may be issued at that address until the Pony Express review fee is paid
  • Plans submitted for a third review cycle will be assessed a $300.00 re-review fee 


How long will this process take?
The review cycle and permit issuance process takes approximately five (5) business days from the date the project is accepted into review.

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For More Information Contact:
Trudy McBride
Commercial Permit Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 404
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2574

Leon Skinner
Sr. Building Plans Examiner
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 404
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2191