[R.O. 2011 §§40.071 — 40.077; Ord. No. 2235 §1, 3-7-2005; Ord. No. 2250 §1, 6-6-2005; Ord. No. 2317 §1, 12-18-2006; Ord. No. 2540 §1, 10-3-2011]
A. 
The following guidelines are provided to assist property owners and contractors with the orderly construction of residential projects within the provisions of Savannah Building Codes, Zoning Ordinances and the City of Savannah Storm Water Management Ordinance.
B. 
The City requires permits and inspections for all construction.
C. 
Permits And Fees. In order to obtain a building permit, the Building Inspector needs to review the building plans and the site plan for Building Code and zoning regulations. The building plans shall include floor plans, a foundation plan, building elevations, and a building wall cross section. The site plan shall show the legal description, the property dimensions, all easements, existing and proposed buildings, lot corner, foundation, and finished floor elevations, type of structure, directional arrows or spot elevations depicting drainage swales, all public utilities on or adjoining the site, and dimensions from proposed buildings to property lines. Location of straw bales or similar erosion measures are required to assure protection of adjacent property.
1. 
Property markers shall be located prior to any new commercial or residential construction, including, but not limited to, businesses, residences, additions, permanent accessory structures, and fences.
[Ord. No. 2750, 5-21-2018]
D. 
A right-of-way damage report must be completed and submitted with the permit application. A building permit must be issued prior to work commencing.
E. 
Permit fees are based upon the square footage of the project.
F. 
No foundation excavation shall be started until a building permit has been obtained and the property markers and structure "footprint" have been inspected on-site.
[Ord. No. 2750, 5-21-2018]
G. 
Inspections are to be performed during construction. It is incumbent on the builder to notify City Hall of the need for each inspection in a timely manner. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in fines and/or stop work orders being issued. All rough-in inspections must be approved before any work is concealed. Exception: Framing inspections will be next day inspections. The following areas will be inspected:
1. 
Footing inspection. A footing inspection is required after all steel is in place and prior to concrete placement. Finished floor verification of the elevations will be confirmed as part of the footing inspection. The foundation plan and plot plan are required to be on site. No field altered foundation plans will be used at this inspection.
2. 
Foundation wall. A wall inspection is required after all steel is in place and prior to concrete placement.
3. 
Sewer inspection. A sewer inspection is required after the building sewer is connected to the sewer "wye." Any new or replacement sewer line must include the installation of a backflow protection device. Any new or replacement sewer lines shall have a locate wire and access points from the mainline sewer and across the City right-of-way.
[Ord. No. 2656 §1, 11-17-2014]
4. 
Water inspection. A water inspection is required after all underground piping, meter yoke, pit and lid are in place.
5. 
Ground rough plumbing inspection. All underground or underslab plumbing must be inspected prior to covering.
6. 
Top rough plumbing inspection. All rough plumbing must be inspected when drain/waste and vents and water piping are roughed in, prior to insulating or drywall stocking.
7. 
Framing inspection. Building framing must be inspected after all framing and furring is completed, prior to insulating or drywall stocking. Note: In multi-family and duplex units, a one (1) hour dwelling separation inspection is required.
8. 
Fireplace inspection. All masonry fireplace and chimneys are required to be inspected during construction. One (1) inspection will be made after the firebox is built (without brick facing) but before the chimney is completed.
9. 
Electrical rough inspection. The electrical wiring must be inspected after all wiring, boxes, and recessed fixtures are installed. Boxes should be made up and home runs should extend to the service location. The inspection must be approved prior to insulating or drywall stocking.
10. 
Mechanical rough inspection. Mechanical vents, ducts and return air spaces require inspection prior to insulation or drywall stocking.
11. 
Electrical service inspection. The service needs to be inspected before Aquila will provide electricity. The service panel, disconnect, service entrance conductors, and grounding need to be complete for service panels and subpanels. The panel cover should be off but available nearby. The electrical service will not be released to the utility company until all rough-in inspections have been approved.
12. 
Driveway/sidewalk inspection. Inspections are needed for driveway approaches and public sidewalks prior to placing the concrete.
13. 
Gas inspection. All gas piping on the building side of the gas meter needs to be inspected after all piping is installed before Missouri Gas Energy will install a gas meter. A pressure test shall be witnessed by the inspector.
14. 
Occupancy inspection. A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be paid for the inspection. An occupancy inspection is required prior to any occupancy of a building or addition. All electrical connections, faceplates, panels and fixtures must be complete. Plumbing fixtures, mechanical equipment, final grade, sidewalks, driveways and safety features such as handrails, guardrails, and smoke detectors must be completed.
Final grade will be verified by inspection, per approved plot plan in accordance with the Storm Water Management Ordinance and the current International Residential Code.
*A thirty (30) day temporary occupancy can be issued when approved by the City Administrator/Zoning Administrator, provided all life and safety items are completed. A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fee is required to be paid prior to approval of a temporary occupancy. All exterior items are required to be completed within the thirty (30) day period.
An extension of the temporary occupancy permit for exterior items, due to weather conditions, may be granted.
15. 
Right-of-way inspection. A right-of-way (R.O.W.) inspection shall be requested by permit holder.
16. 
Reinspection fees. Permit fees provide for inspections and the first (1st) reinspection. A reinspection fee will be incurred for any additional inspections that are made necessary by incomplete or faulty work, or because the building is locked. This fee shall be paid by the permittee before another inspection can be requested.
17. 
Property markers and proposed site layout. All property markers shall be located and visible for inspection. The proposed "footprint" of the structure or fence shall be staked out on-site for inspection.
[Ord. No. 2750, 5-21-2018]
18. 
For residential dwellings, the minimum depth of footings below the adjacent ground surface shall be thirty-six (36) inches.
[Ord. No. 2835, 2-6-2023]