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Building Guide For Permit Application
This guide is provided to help you understand how to obtain
a building, electrical, plumbing and/or mechanical permit.
The following is a list of regulations governing structures
within the city limits of Morgan Hill:
- California Building Code, 2007
- California Plumbing Code, 2007
- California Mechanical Code, 2007
- California Electrical Code, 2007
- California Fire Code, 2007
- State of California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, Current Edition.
- State of California Title 24 Accessibility Standards Current Edition.
If this Guide does not answer all of your questions, you may contact
the Building Division for further explanation. The Building
Division is located at 17555 Peak Avenue, Morgan
Hill. Office hours are from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Telephone
number: (408) 779-7241, Fax number: (408) 779-7236
When is a Permit Required by the Building
Division
Building Permits
No person, firm, or corporation shall erect, construct,
enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert,
or demolish any building or structure in the City of Morgan
Hill, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining
a separate building permit for each such structure.
This includes accessory buildings where the floor area exceeds 120 square feet, carports, detached garages,
patio covers, retaining walls over four feet in height measured
from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, swimming
pools, portable spas if not plug-connected, and fences over
six feet in height. The construction shall conform to the
2007 California Building Code with amendments and all State
of California regulations that may apply.
Electrical Permits
Electrical permits are required for the following:
- New plumbing and mechanical installations, where applicable
- New electrical work
- Additions and alterations to existing
wiring
- Equipment installations requiring special
connection
- Electric signs
- Power poles
Plumbing and Mechanical Permits
Plumbing and mechanical permits are required for the following:
- New plumbing and mechanical installations
- Repairs and replacement of heating appliances
and water heaters
- Removal and replacement of defective
waste or vent pipes or any repairs requiring the rearrangement
of valves, pipes or fixtures in the water or gas system
- Installation of lawn sprinkler
systems and water softeners
Work Exempt From Permit
A permit shall not be required for the types of work in
each of the separate classes of permit as listed below.
Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall
not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be
done in violation of the provisions of the technical codes
or any other laws of ordinances of the City of Morgan Hill.
Building Permits
A building permit shall not be required for the following:
- One-story detached accessory structures used as tool
and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided
the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.
- Fences not over 6 feet high.
- Oil derricks.
- Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height
measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of
the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding
flammable liquids.
- Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity
does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height
to diameter or width does not exceed two to one.
- Sidewalks not more than 30 inches
above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below and part of an accessible route.
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
- Temporary motion picture, television, theater stage
sets and scenery.
- Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground.
- Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
- Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
- Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of Group R-3 and U occupancies.
- Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
Unless otherwise exempted by this code, separate plumbing,
electrical and mechanical permits will be required for the
above exempted items.
Minimum Requirements For Building Plans
Each application for a building permit shall include, plans, and
specifications as follows: five (5) complete
sets for each single and multi-family dwelling and six (6)
complete sets for each commercial industrial and public
assembly.
Plans and specifications shall be drawn to
scale and blueprinted on substantial 18" x 24"
minimum paper and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate
the location, nature, and extent of the work proposed and
show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of
(the CBC) and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules, and
regulations. The plans shall also provide the following
information:
The first sheet must show:
- Building number and street address
- Assessor's parcel number, lot, block,
and tract numbers or recorded Record of Survey, showing
size of the lot, its locations with respect to the nearest
cross street, and location of all utilities and easements.
- Square footage divided into areas of
dwelling and garage or office and warehouse, locations
on lot, occupancy, and type of construction of proposed
building
- Name and address of the owner
- Name and address of the person who prepared
the plans and specifications. (This individual must sign
each sheet.)
Plot plans for hillside lots must show:
- Accurate contours of existing ground
- Details of terrain and area drainage.
Information that must be shown for all new construction
(if applicable) includes:
- Material, size and arrangement of the foundation
- Fireplace and chimney details
- Plumbing and heating information
- Arrangement of rooms or floor plan showing room
size
- Location of electrical and plumbing fixtures
- Heat loss schedule
- Exterior elevations showing roof pitch, style and
material
- Balconies
- Typical sections of the framing details pertaining
to the structure such as size and grade of framing
material, windows and any other information that may
be required to provide sufficient data to show compliance
with all codes applicable to the structure
Residential buildings for which retaining walls,
hillside foundations, pole or beam-type construction are used
must be designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the
State of California and the plans must have the original signature
of this licensed professional.
All commercial, industrial, and public assembly structures must be designed by an Engineer or Architect. The plans must be wet stamped and signed by this licensed
professional.
Where grading plans are required the building official may require the design to comply
with any and all of 2007 California Building Code.
This may include a separate grading permit, a soils report
from a licensed soils engineer, and a cash or surety bond
in the amount of contract for the work.
Cut and fill operations may be required to be under the
supervision of the engineer designing the plans.
Permit Fees
Fees which must be paid prior to the issuance of permit
may include but are not limited to:
Building Permit Fees
- Building
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Mechanical
- Grading
For fee schedule or building valuation data sheet please call the Building
Division at (408)779-7241
Other Fees
- School Fees
- Residential projects:
- All new construction (conditioned living space only)
- Additions in excess of 500 square feet
- Commercial projects:
- All new construction
- Additions (no minimum square footage)
For fee schedule please call Morgan Hill Unified School District at (408)201-6085
- Public Works Fees
- Impact fees
- Water meter hook-up fees
For fee schedule please call the Department of Public Works at (408)776-
7337
- Fire Sprinkler Fees
For fee schedule please call Santa Clara County Fire at (408)378-4010
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