Residential Contractors Checklist

Documentation Requirements for Building Permits 

(Remodels may not need all listed plans and documents.)

Documents / Plans
Dimensioned site plan or survey (showing property lines, setbacks, dimensions, etc.)
Architectural plans (showing floor plan, elevations, door, and window schedule, etc.)
Engineered foundation plan (including soil report information)
Engineer’s letter (if required by the foundation plan)
Energy iC3 (2021 IECC energy code) (see note 2 below)
Site grading plan (see note 3 below)
Electronic file in a PDF format of all plans and documents
Braced wall line diagram
Engineered brick-on-wood detail (if engineered)
Framing plans

notes

1. For remodels and additions, if the foundation plan for an addition deviates from the City of Irving minimum foundation specifications, then an engineered foundation will be required.

2. A free download is available at the International Code Compliance Calculator (IC3) website. For additions, show the insulation values, u-values of glass / doors, and the SHGC for the glass. We do not accept a ResCheck since it does not meet the State of Texas energy requirements.

3. This may be a partial copy of the approved subdivision grading plan, if one was submitted with the plat application, in which case it will be available for review in the engineering plans room. If a subdivision grading plan was not approved, then a separate grading plan must be submitted.

Turnaround Time

Remodels and additions are reviewed within three business days. New houses take three days and townhouses take approximately five days to review.

 Notes

  • A brick arch over a walking surface requires an engineered design or a steel lintel unless it is a semi-circular arch.
  • A separate permit is required for fences, lawn sprinklers, pools, retaining walls over 30 inches in height, etc.

Grading Plans for New House Residential Lots

Each permit application for a new residential structure shall be accompanied by a site grading plan. This may be a partial copy of the approved subdivision grading plan, if one was submitted with the plat application, in which case it will be available for review in the engineering plans room.

Grading Plan Requirements

If a subdivision grading plan was not approved, then a separate grading plan must be submitted. The following are guidelines for lot grading plans:

  • Additional emphasis should be given to insuring the concentrated storm water from the roof and downspout(s) is conveyed to the street.
  • All impervious surfaces should drain to the street or to another acceptable public facility which can accept storm water.
  • The center line of street and curb, or pavement edge should be shown.
  • The driveway is to scale with width dimensioned.
  • The footprint of house should be to scale.
  • The dimension setbacks to property lines should be shown.
  • If there is a “bar ditch,” indicate this with spot grades and arrows along the flow line.
  • It is assumed that the house will be constructed without gutters or downspouts and that a typical “hip” roof system will shed water, in sheets, in all directions. If one or more gutters will be installed, indicate this with a bold line along the perimeter of the house and show the downspout with a circle.
  • Show existing spot elevations at edge of pavement or curb at two places, corners of the lot, any low points or high points, and points on adjacent properties if there are grade changes.
  • Show proposed spot elevations at finish floor (FFE) of house, ground at corners of house, at property line nearest to the house corners, flow lines (center) of swales including driveways, and points where there are proposed grade changes.
  • Show site boundaries with dimensions along lot lines.
  • The owner / contractor may want to consider collecting storm water with small yard inlets and then conveying the water to the street by pipes that discharge to the gutter using a casting placed in the curb in accordance with the standard detail for this configuration.