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1. It's my property, why do I need a building permit?

Okmulgee, like other cities and many counties in Oklahoma, has adopted a set of uniform building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (heat and air) codes that provide minimum standards for new construction and renovations. The codes not only protect the lives of people living in homes or working in buildings, but they protect adjacent properties and their occupants. Building permits and inspections assure these minimum standards are followed. 

2. What are the codes the City uses?

Every city and county with building permit and inspection processes in Oklahoma has adopted the 2018 International Codes Council code series for building construction and trade work. The 2020 National Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the Oklahoma Uniform Building Codes Commission is also in effect.  A code set is available for public viewing in the Community Development office during normal business hours. To view the OUBCC amendments, go to www.ok.gov/oubcc/. Okmulgee Municipal codes can be found here.

3. Can the Building Inspector help me plan my building?

There are many construction techniques that can be used to meet standards.  Building and trade codes provide minimum safety standards for construction.  Decisions on "how to build" to meet codes are left to design professionals.  The building inspector's job is to ensure that those standards are ultimately met.

4. How much will a building permit cost?

Building permit costs are mostly associated with the building's square footage and the type and amount of installations or improvements being made.  The structures value is not part of the computation.  Permit applicants pay all standard permit and inspection fees at the time the permit is issued.  The larger the building is or the more electrical, plumbing or mechanical fixtures and appliances it contains, the higher the permit cost will be.  Costs are listed on the Building Permit form

5. What plans should be submitted with a permit application?

As a general rule, plans for new construction or substantial renovations should be professionally prepared, the use of crayons on napkins is discouraged.  With new construction or exterior alterations, a complete plan set should include a site plan showing the location of the building on the lot with dimensions and distances to property lines, as well as public utility easements and street access.

6. How long does it take to get a building permit?

Once a permit application and complete plan set is submitted, it begins a review process involving Planning and Zoning, Building and Fire Inspection and other Public Works departments such as stormwater and streets.  Residential permits are usually reviewed in one to two weeks.  Commercial permits are usually reviewed in about 10 business days.  Understand that the time may very greatly depending on the projects complexity, the need for additional information and the possibility of zoning or other regulatory issues.

7. Who can do the work?

Inidviduals can do their own building work (footing, framing, etc) provided it meets the minimum code standards.  Electrical, plumbing and mechanical (heat and air) work must be done by contractors who are currently licensed by the state and registered with the city.

8. Why does the City do inspections?

Inspections assure that the work of a builder or contractor meets minimum code standards. They are performed at critical points during the construction process. City inspections are focused on life safety issues.

9. How do I request and inspection?

Inspection requests can be made by telephone at any time by calling 918-758-1105. Depending on the type of permit issued, an owner or general contractor can request inspections. With commercial permits, individual trades request their own inspections. In most cases, requests received prior to 12 p.m. will be performed on the same business day.  Inspections will only be performed on permitted work.

10. Why are some inspections performed in groups?

Rough and final inspections rare typically performed once all teh trades have completed their work.  This assures that one trade doesn not damage the work of another, such as an electrician running wire through a sewer line to make an installation.  It also allows the owner or general contractor to look over the project in its entirety and address any concerns before receiving a rejected inspection.

11. When is a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) required?

All new construction of habitable residential, commercial or industrial buildings requires a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) before the building can be occupied. Major commercial renovations or changes in business occupancies also require a CO. A CO allows for a final review by city departments to assure the project is completed according to submitted plans and that the building is safe to occupy.

12. What are the requirements for fences?

The City of Okmulgee does not require a permit or inspection for fences under six feet in height. The City of Okmulgee Zoning Code does restrict the maximum height of opaque fencing to three feet in front of a home and six feet behind the front of the home. Anything higher than six feet requires a permit.  Castle walls, moats, and sharks with lasers will not be permitted. It is recommended that fences be installed with the "smooth" side (the side that does show supporting posts or framing) facing outward,.

13. Is a permit needed to fix or replace a roof?

The City of OKmulgee only requires a permit to repair or replace a roof if the decking beneath the roof or other structural components supporting the roof are replaced.  Building code only allows one layer of shingles above the decking.  This means old roofing materials must be remov3ed before new roofing materials are installed.  Roofing companies must be licensed by the State of Oklahoma.