BUILDING PERMITS
Building Inspector: Dennis Doney
Building permits are required for all residential and commercial buildings within Cowan city limits.
To obtain a building permit, complete permit application and pay applicable fees at Cowan City Hall. Permit becomes valid only after it is signed and approved by Building/Codes Inspector.
To obtain a building permit, complete permit application and pay applicable fees at Cowan City Hall. Permit becomes valid only after it is signed and approved by Building/Codes Inspector.
WORK THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A BUILDING PERMIT
- Re-roofs of residences unless 50% or more of the roof is altered (no more than two roof coverings allowed - tear offs required if two or more layers of roofing exists)
- One-story detached accessory structures that are less than 200 sq ft. (must comply with zoning ordinances)
- Fences not over 6 feet high.
- Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support
- Windows can be changed without a permit if the size is not changed in any way or the attachment of the windows is not altered
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
- Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
- Sidewalks and driveways
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets (unless plumbing is altered), countertops, and similar finish work
- Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep
- Playground equipment
- Ordinary repairs to the structure, however, not to include the cutting away of walls, partitions, structural or load bearing supports, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements
- Portable heating, ventilation & cooling units. Replacement of minor parts that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
- The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.