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Building Inspections - Commercial

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1. Do plans need original signatures or are electronic signatures okay?

Electronic signatures are acceptable.

2. How many sets of plans are required for permit submittal?

• One (1) set of complete plans will need to be uploaded to https://blaine.ims16.com/ims/Account/Login when applying for your permit.

3. Do plans need to be embossed by an architect and engineer?

No

4. What is the current review period for drawings?

Three (3) to four (4) weeks (worst-case scenario) first come, first serve basis.

5. What is the current review period for responses to the building department comments?

Plans will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. Two (2) to three (3) weeks (worst-case scenario).

6. Is express plan review available?

No

If so, what are the requirements?

N/A

7. Do permit drawings need to be submitted to any additional departments such as the Fire Marshal, State Review, etc.?

No, however separate submittals and permits are required for plumbing, mechanical, and fire suppression systems.  

Electrical permits and inspections are through the Department of Labor and Industry.

SAC determination must be submitted to the Met Council. 

Hospitals need to be reviewed by the State.

8. Is a demolition permit available prior to the building permit?

Yes.

 If so, what are the requirements?

One (1) set of complete plans will need to be uploaded to https://blaine.ims16.com/ims/Account/Login when applying for your permit.

9. Does a general contractor need to be awarded prior to submittal for permit?

• No For New Building and Addition Permits
  However, the general and all subcontractors will need to be licensed and entered on the contacts page of the permit application prior to permit issuance. The architect may apply for the permit and then transfer the permit to the general contractor once they are selected and licensed.
• Yes For All Other Commercial Permits
  Yes. The permit must be applied for by a general contractor that holds a current Commercial General License with the City of Blaine.

10. Does the general contractor and/or subcontractor’s company name need to be entered in the permit application for the submittal to be accepted and plan review to begin?

New Building and Addition Permits
No. 

All Other Commercial Permits
The General Contractor will apply and plan review will begin prior to listing of subcontractors. However, all subcontractors need to be properly licensed in order to be listed in the contacts page of the permit application prior to permit issuance. A permit will not be issued without all subcontractors being listed and properly licensed.

11. Once the general contractor is awarded for new building and addition permits, how are they added as the responsible party/applicant for the permit?

In the Files tile of the permit application, there will be a GC Acknowledgement form that the applicant will need to download and send to the GC once awarded. The applicant will need to upload the completed GC acknowledgement form back to the Files tile. Within two business days, the GC and the applicant will be updated to reflect the new GC and directions will be sent to the GC on how to link to the permit.

12. Are insurance certificates or bonds required at the time of submittal? If so, by whom?

They will be required at the time of licensing. See City License Requirements, for details.

13. Are separate applications required by the subcontractors? If so, by whom?

New Building and Addition Permits - Separate submittals and permits are required for plumbing, mechanical, fire sprinkler systems, and utilities if applicable is included in the building permit.  

Electrical Permits and Inspections  - Administered through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

14. What type of Commercial permits is Landlord approval needed for? If so, at permit submittal or at permit issuance?

Landlord approval is required at permit submittal.

15. Can we receive our permit without the landlord’s shell building work being completed and finaled prior to Substantial Completions?

If there is a landlord permit for a shell building, tenant finish permits may be permitted, prior to the completion of the landlord work only if the same General Contractor and sub-contractors are being used for both the landlord permit (shell building permit) and the tenant finish permit.

16. Are low voltage permits required?

Electrical permits and inspections are through the MN State Board of Electricity.  Questions regarding low voltage work are to be directed to the MN Department of Labor & Industry.

17. Are low voltage permit applications required at the time of building permit submittal for the release of the building permit?

N/A

18. Do fire alarm and sprinkler drawings need to be submitted with the building permit application?

No

19. Do the fire protection subcontractors need to prepare drawings, cut sheets, and calculations for building permit submittal?

No – separate permits and submittals are through Fire Inspections in Community Standards.

20. Can the submittal be mailed in?

No. One (1) set of complete plans will need to be uploaded to https://blaine.ims16.com/ims/Account/Login when applying for your permit.

21. Can the submittal be made in person?

One (1) set of complete plans will need to be uploaded to https://blaine.ims16.com/ims/Account/Login when applying for your permit.

22. Does the building department offer expedited services or work with any specific expeditors?

No. Plan review is done in the order in which the plans are received.

23. Is a plan check fee do at the time of permit submittal?

No.

24. Are permit fees due at the time of submittal or permit pick up?

Building permit fees are due at permit approval.

25. Are there any additional fees to be aware of?

A SAC determination is required by Metropolitan Council Environmental Services which may result in additional fees.  Please see the details on the application. Depending on the size of the building and the amount of BTU's needed to heat the space there may be an additional $1,000 escrow. If the building is designed to 2018 IECC (with MN amendments) and the total mechanical equipment capacity is equal to or greater than 480,000 BTU/H cooling capacity and 600,000 BTU/H heating capacity (approximately 20,000 sq. ft.) If building is designed to ASHRAE 90.1-2016 and has a conditioned floor area greater than 50,000 sq. Ft.

26. What other items may be required prior to the building permit being issued?

The following list could vary depending upon the project’s scope of work.  Some items may not apply to the project.  Other projects may require items not listed below.

•   Responses to building plan review comments
• Special Inspections form
• Energy Compliance forms (If using ASHRAE 90.1 - ComCheck for Building Envelope, HVAC, Lighting - interior and/or exterior Service Water Heating),)
• EIFS & Sealant forms
• SAC determination from Met Council
• Geotechnical Report
• Watershed permit from either Coon Creek or Rice Creek Watershed Districts
• Erosion and Sediment Control installation approval by Engineering Department
• SIPA and financial guarantee payment submitted to Planning Department
• All applicable subcontractors must be listed on iMS online application (subcontractors must have current commercial license and be registered in iMS)
• Approval from all applicable departments (Building, Fire, Planning, Engineering & Utilities)
• New Buildings and Additions - mechanical, plumbing, and electrical plans must be submitted along with the rest of the plan set
• GC Acknowledgement (when applicable)

27. Current building codes being used:

• 2020 Minnesota Building Code
• 2020 Minnesota Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code
• 2020 Minnesota Plumbing Code
• 2020 Minnesota Electrical Code
• 2020 Minnesota Fire Code
• 2020 Minnesota Accessibility Code 
• 2020 Minnesota Energy Code (must declare whether using IECC or ASHRAE 90.1, cannot combine the two)
• 2020 Conservation Code for Existing Buildings