Inspection Services

Overview

Our mission is to secure the public's life, health, and welfare in their environment through the enforcement of City codes and ordinances. All new commercial, educational, and recreational structures are thoroughly inspected by our Inspection Department to ensure public life safety issues are provided for. We assist our commercial and residential customers with all aspects of construction and remodeling projects, and assist contractors in obtaining their necessary permits.

As a property owner, it is in your best interest to have the proper inspections when each phase of a project is completed. This protects not only your safety but also the value of your home. It is the responsibility of every contractor to obtain a permit before beginning work in the City and to ensure that your project will be inspected for code compliance. Verify that your contractor has obtained a permit before beginning any construction/remodeling project.

Lawn, landscaping, and tree services are also required to have a City business license through the City Clerk's Office.

Planning & Zoning Board Meetings

Visit the Planning and Zoning Board page for more meeting information.

Board of Zoning Adjustments Meetings

  • 4th Monday of each month (only if cases are pending)
  • 7 pm at Center Point City Hall (City Council Chambers)

Permits Issued & Inspections

  • Additions, Renovations/Repairs, Accessory Structures, Roofing
  • Alarm (Low Voltage)
  • Building Permits (Residential and Commercial)
  • Demolition Permits
  • Electrical
  • Gas
  • Mechanical
  • Plumbing
  • Storm Water/Land Disturbance

IBC 2015 building code book

Section 105

Permits

[A] 105.1 Required.  Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends 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, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

[A] 105.1.1 Annual permit.  Instead of an individual permit for each alteration to an already approved electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing installation, the building official is authorized to issue an annual permit upon application therefor to any person, firm or     corporation regularly employing one or more qualified tradespersons in the building, structure or on the premises owned or operated by the applicant for the permit.

[A] 105.1.2 Annual permit records.  The person to whom an annual permit is issued shall keep a detailed record of alterations made under such annual permit.  The building official shall have access to such records at all times, or such records shall be filed with the building official as designated.

[A] 105.2 Work exempt from permit.  Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.  Permits shall not be required for the following;

   Building;

1. ‎ One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area is not greater than 120 square fee (11 m2).

2.  Fences not over 7 feet high (2134 mm) high.

3.  Oil derricks.

4.  Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge of impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquid's.

5.  Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1.

6.  Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.

7.  Painting, papering, tilting, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.

8.  Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.

9.  Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925L) and are installed entirely above ground.

10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.

11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two- family dwellings.

12. Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 Inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.

13. Nonfixed and moveable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height.

Electrical;

1.  Repairs and maintenance;  Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps (light fixtures) or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

                2.  Radio and television transmitting stations;  The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.

                3.  Temporary testing systems;  A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.

Gas;

                              1.  Portable heating appliance.

                              2.  Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

Mechanical;

1.  Portable heating appliance.

2.  Portable ventilation equipment.

                              3.  Portable cooling unit.

4.  Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.

                5.  Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.

                6.  Portable evaporative cooler.

                7.  Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75 kW) or less.

Plumbing;

                              1.  The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspections made as provided in this         code.

                2.  The cleaning of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided that such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

[A] 105.2.1 Emergency repairs.  Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.

[A] 105.2.2 Public service agencies.  A permit shall not be required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation, transmission, distribution or metering or other related equipment that is under the ownership and control of public service agencies by established right.

 

No Permit No Inspection

All persons permitting electrical, plumbing, gas, and HVAC work must hold proper certifications and current business licenses for the City of Center Point.

  • Code Regulations: 2015 International Code Council (ICC) for everything except Electrical 2017 National Electrical Code NEC
  • Inspections are scheduled 24 hours in advance on a first come first serve basis
  • We will issue Stop Work Orders for any job not in compliance with our regulations

To report work being performed without a permit please call 205-854-4460.

Fees

Contact Inspections Services for detailed fee information. All permit fees will be doubled if work begins prior to work being permitted. Permit fees are based on actual work to be performed with a minimum fee of $50.

  • Building Permit: 1.5 % of actual work + $20 issuance fee
  • Demolition: $120 (Flat Fee)
  • Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, and HVAC: 2% of actual work + $20 issuance fee
  • Preliminary Inspection fee: $50
  • Re-inspection Fee: $25 (rejected or no show) for the first one, then goes up by $25 for each subsequent re-inspection
  • Signs are based on the actual type and square footage of the sign to be erected

Responsibilities

  • Check Businesses for Proper Licenses
  • Issue and Inspect Sign Permits
  • Maintain All City-Owned Property
  • Meet with Citizens Concerning Residential and Commercial Complaints
  • Plan Review
  • Process Rezoning Requests
  • Process Variance Requests
  • Review, Interpret and Enforce City Ordinances

Check Businesses for Proper Licenses

  • New Business Inspections
  • Stop Work Orders

To report a business operating without a business license please call 205-854-4460

Plan Review

  • New Building Construction, additions, major repairs/renovation to existing structures. Subdivision
  • Review plans and blue prints for City.

Process Rezoning Request

  • Application; Cut-off date for submitting items for agenda minimum of 15 (fifteen) days prior to meeting date
  • Issue zoning releases to contractors for permitting
  • Send letters to property owners for rezoning
  • Sub-division review/approval
  • Verify/enforce zoning codes
  • Work with property owners, agents, and developers concerning zoning issues.

Process Variance Request

  • Application cut-off date for submitting agenda items is a minimum of 15 days prior to meeting date
  • Review/approve Variance Request
  • Send letters to adjourning property owners for variance
  • Work with adjourning property owners concerning variance issues

Review, Interpret & Enforce City Ordinances

  • Dangerous Buildings
  • Non-operable Vehicle
  • Nuisance and Abatement
  • Vicious Dogs (Leash Law)