Building Department's Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit?
In general, projects in the city limits that involve new or changed uses of property, construction or alteration of a building – even if you can’t see the alterations from the outside – usually require a permit from the City of Fairbanks Building Department.
For a complete list of what types of activity do not require a building permit see Section 301 of the City of Fairbanks Administrative Code.
Category: Building
What do I need to submit in order to get a Building Permit?
You will need to submit the following:
- A completed Building Permit Application
- An approved Zoning Permit from the Borough
- A Driveway Permit (if applicable)
- Two sets of complete and legible plans that follow the Residential Plan Requirements or Commercial Plan Requirements
Category: Building
How long does it take to get a permit?
If the submittal is complete, accurate, and code compliant, we try to have a Residential Permit issued within three days. Incomplete, inaccurate, illegible and/or non-code compliant submittals will take longer. It is to everyone’s benefit to make the first submittal a good submittal.
Note: Most "corrections" required are requests for additional information.
Category: Building
Who needs to call for inspections?
The person doing the work needs to call for each required inspection; this way there is little doubt that the work is ready to be inspected.
Category: Building
Do I need any other permits?
In most typical cases, yes. When the project includes electrical, plumbing, and/or mechanical work, additional permits are required.
Category: Building
What do I do when the project is done?
Be certain to call for a Final Inspection. This way we can assure the final product is code compliant and we can close out our files.
Note: A Certificate of Occupancy cannot be issued until a final inspection has been performed and approved.
Category: Building
FAQ Footings
Q. Do I need a grounding electrode?
A. Yes. 20 feet of #4 bare copper wire must be tied or wrapped around the footing reinforcing with enough conductor length to reach service panel without splice. This also pertains to additions to existing structures.
Q. What footing size do I need?
A. The typical residential footing is a minimum of 8” deep and 16” wide; however, the requirements for footing size can vary greatly depending on the number of stories supported, unusual loading conditions or poor soil properties.
Q. How deep does my footing need to be?
A. The bottom of the footing shall be a minimum of 42” below finished grade unless a stamped engineers design is submitted.
Q. Can I use a thickened edge slab-on-grade foundation?
A. Yes; however, a stamped engineered design is required, and the engineer must follow the insulation requirements set forth in the current building codes.
Q. How much reinforcing does my footing need?
A. A minimum of two #4 horizontal bars are required for a typical residential footing. This may increase depending on the need for a larger footing.
Q. Can I “wet set” my vertical reinforcing?
A. No. Vertical reinforcing must be securely tied in place prior to approval to place footing concrete. Reinforcing must not be in contact with the forms or the soil and must have the code required 8” “hook” at the end.
See City of Fairbanks standard Foundation Details 1 – 8 (SFD)
Category: Building
FAQ Foundation Wall
Q. How much reinforcing does my CMU foundation need?
A. A typical 5 course CMU wall requires #4 bars @ 32” o.c. OR #5 bars @ 4’-0” o.c. Also, two #4 bars are required in the top bond beam. Taller foundation walls or special cases may require additional reinforcing.
Q. Can I use insulated concrete form blocks (ICF)?
A. Yes. Due to the vast variety of ICF on the market it is impossible to list any additional requirements. Please indicate the brand and size of ICF on your plans so that we may determine any additional requirements.
See City of Fairbanks Standard Foundation Details 1 – 8 (SFD)
Category: Building
FAQ Framing
Q. When do I call for a framing inspection?
A. A framing inspection must be performed after the plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems have been inspected and approved.
Q. Where are double trimmer studs required?
A. Any wall opening greater than 4 feet.
Q. Where are egress windows required?
A. All full basements and all bedrooms. See Egress Windows
Q. What are the proper dimensions for stair and handrail construction?
A. See Stairs and Rail Details
Q. What are the requirements for site drainage?
A. Landscaping must slope away from the structure and runoff must not run onto adjacent property.
Q. Do I need my truss sheets at the framing inspection?
A. Yes. Stamped truss sheets are required to receive an approved framing inspection. The truss manufacturer must supply you with these stamped design sheets.
Q. Can I use twist straps for truss hurricane ties?
A. No. Local amendment requires the use of a truss hurricane tie such as a Simpson H1.
Q. Is blocking required between the trusses at the bearing walls?
A. Yes. At minimum this blocking shall extend up to the centerline of the truss top chord. This blocking shall also be attached to the wall top-plate with nails or metal “L” brackets.
Q. Are seismic hold downs required?
A. In some cases, yes. A residence typically requires hold downs on the short walls on either side of the garage doors. As the complexity of the floor plan increases, the number of windows and doors increases, and /or the number of floors increases as will the likelihood of additional hold downs. The Code requires an engineered design for elements of buildings falling outside the definition of Conventional Light Framed Construction.
Q. What are the requirements for roof and wall sheathing?
A. Wall sheathing must be a minimum of 7/16” OSB and roof sheathing a minimum of 5/8” OSB or 1/2” plywood with H-clips.
Q. Can I get a wall and or roof sheathing inspection before my framing inspection?
A. Yes. We fully understand the need to get buildings enclosed and weather tight as soon as possible.
Q. Can I use adjustable pier blocks for my stairs/deck/patio?
A. This depends on site conditions; if a large amount of frost heave is suspected due to soils present sonotubes may be required. Any stairs/deck/patio with a roof is prohibited from using pier blocks.
Category: Building
FAQ Insulation & Vapor Barrier
Q. What are the insulation R-values that I need for my home?
A. At minimum, the walls require an R- 21, the ceiling must be R-38 and the foundation and rim boards must be a minimum of R-10.
Q. How thick should my vapor barrier be? Should it be hung tight? Do I need to use tape and /or acoustic sealant?
A. The vapor barrier must be at least 6 mils in thickness. It should be hung neatly with some slack in the corners. Tight corners cold tear when the sheetrock is hung and/or as the vapor barrier shrinks. The use of tape is required when there is a seam that is not backed by framing. This typically happens when the seam is placed at right angles to the framing. Acoustic sealant is not required but is recommended.
Q. Can I use spray foam in the crawl space and attic?
A. Yes; however, any exposed spray foam or some brands of rigid insulation must be protected with a fire barrier such as fiberglass insulation, sheetrock or sheet metal.
Category: Building
FAQ Sheetrock
Q. What thickness of sheetrock do I need to use?
A. Typically 1/2” sheetrock is used for the walls when studs are spaced no more than 24” o.c. and 5/8” sheetrock is used for the ceilings. Please note that moisture resistive sheetrock is required 4 feet up from the floor within 2 feet of toilet and lavatory fixtures. Moisture resistive sheetrock cannot be used on the lid.
Q. What is required between dwelling units?
A. 5/8” Type X sheetrock on both sides of shared wall along with sound channel and minimum R-19 insulation.
Category: Building
FAQ Soil
Q. How deep must I excavate?
A. The bottom of the footing must be founded a minimum of 42” below grade. If the soils at this level are gravels, no further excavation is required. If the soils at this level are silts, an additional 18” of excavation is required. Following a soils inspection this 18” additional excavation must be back-filled and compacted with structural fill.
Q. When do I call for a soil’s inspection?
A. A soils inspection is required prior to placing any back-fill.
Q. What are the requirements for site drainage?
A. Landscaping must slope away from the structure and runoff must not run into adjacent property.
Category: Building
FAQ Receptacles
Q. Do I need a permit to change a switch or receptacle?
A. No. If the device is broken and will be replaced no permit is required. If a switch or receptacle is relocated, then a permit is required.
Q. Where do receptacles have to be installed?
A. Within 6 feet of a door and every 12 feet thereafter. In the kitchen, a receptacle shall be installed within 2 feet of the end of the countertop and every 4 feet thereafter.
Q. Is a receptacle required outside?
A. Yes. At least one receptacle shall be installed in the front of the house and one in the back of the house. A separate 20 ampere branch circuit is required to supply a receptacle to plug in an automobile located adjacent to the parking area. This is a City of Fairbanks requirement.
Category: Building
Who can get an Electrical Permit?
A homeowner can get an Electrical Permit to do work on the home he lives in. After that, an electrical contractor is required.
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Do I need a (City of Fairbanks) Master Plumber’s license to replace my boiler?
No. A Master Plumbers license is required only for work regulated by the Plumbing Code (UPC 103.1.3) and boilers are regulated by the Mechanical Code (IMC 101.2) and if gas-fired, also by the Gas Code (IFGC 631.2).
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Do I need a Mechanical Administrator’s license to replace my boiler?
Yes and No.
Yes, when performing mechanical work for which the State of Alaska requires a Mechanical Administrator license then the Mechanical Permit must be issued to the Mechanical Administrator. This includes boilers in any commercial structure and any residential structure with more than two dwelling units.
No, when performing mechanical work for which the State of Alaska does not require a Mechanical Administrator license, then the permit may be issued to whoever is doing the work. This includes boilers in single family homes and duplexes, not for sale at the time of the boiler replacement.
Category: Building
Do I need to get a permit to replace my boiler?
Yes. Replacement is one of the actions listed as requiring a permit (IMC 106.1) and replacing a piece of equipment (boiler, furnace, condenser unit, HRV, etc.) is not a "minor part" so not included in the list of exceptions to this requirement (IMC 106.2)
Category: Building
What are some of the things you look for on a boiler replacement?
Some of the more important things checked are:
- Tight fuel connections with appropriate materials (IMC Chapter 13 and IFGC Chapter 4);
- Adequate clearances for the boiler (IMC 1004) and the chimney connector (IMC 803.10.6) or vent connector (IFGC 503.7.7);
- Auxiliary safety high limit control (IMC 1006.7)
- Relief valve properly installed and piped toward the floor (IMC 1006.5 and 1006.6)
- Required backflow preventer on the water make-up connection (UPC 603.4.11); and
- Adequate provision of combustion air (IMC Chapter 7)
Category: Building
When is a fire sprinkler and alarm permit required?
Fire sprinkler and alarm permits shall be coordinated directly with the City Fire Marshal. A fire sprinkler permits, or alarm permit is required for the following:
1. Installation of a new sprinkler or fire alarm system.
2. Modification or alteration of an existing sprinkler system or fire alarm system.
Category: Building
Supporting Documents
