Residential vs Commercial Building Permits

Permit expediting is one of the essential components of your AEC project cycle. Architectural outputs and building structures occupy resources and land, which is why they are subject to stringent government regulations. Every construction project has to comply with national and international building codes. That is why it is often assured by local governance and regulation bodies that your projects comply with certain standards to get a permit. A building permit is an official approval by the government that you can build your intended building project. To get a building permit, one has to submit their project drawings, orthographic projections, and site details, along with processing fees, to the governing body of their project zone. Generally, construction companies and individual homeowners vet a permit expeditor. Then, within the timeline of the construction process, a permit inspector inspects the construction on-site to check its compliance with local regulations. This check is an important component of your process to get a building permit. Check out our page on the building permit inspection checklist to develop a comprehensive understanding of what you need to ensure project compliance with the permit check. 

However, the processes for varied project typologies may differ from each other. This article discusses the approach for residential and commercial building permits in comparison. We will first get to know how the construction for residential and commercial typologies is different, and then how the permit and its acquisition process are different from each other. 

Construction and refurbishment of single-family homes, duplexes, and modest multi-family residential structures often need the issuance of residential permits. These licenses are only required for buildings that are utilized for residential use. However, for non-residential constructions, commercial licenses are granted. Generally, the obstacles involved in residential permit expediting are fewer than in commercial permit expediting. The reason is the involvement of multiple stakeholders that too on a profit basis for commercial projects. The land usage is large and thus, needs to be regulated properly by government bodies. On the other side, housing quite seen as a basic necessity tends to have lesser complexities with regulation compliances. Although, the residential permit expediting is simpler compared to the commercial counterpart. Single home ownership especially spanning over larger areas in comparison to smaller units, needs permit expediting attention too. The approach should be more problem-oriented rather than just servicing. Therefore, we discuss the critical comparison between residential and commercial building permits.   

Construction of commercial buildings is typically more expensive than that of residential buildings because of licenses and other requirements, supplies, overhead, equipment, and labor skills. Government agencies, affluent people, and real estate developers fund it. A contractor is needed to act as a middleman and oversee the project for commercial structures. Residential structures are frequently covered by insurance and are built with a reduced load capability. The expense of maintenance is higher for commercial structures. Due to their high ROI upon completion and potential for lucrative endeavors, commercial structures are chosen. 

The construction of commercial buildings is finished more quickly and efficiently to increase revenue from company endeavors. Due to the substantial budget, owners give contractors strict deadlines to meet in order to save money on labor and equipment. Power tools, software, precast components, and semi-automated procedures are all used in modern commercial structures. 

The architectural freedom of residential building construction enables building owners to personalize the architecture of their structures. Residential buildings’ compact structure makes design modifications simple, in contrast to commercial construction, which may be intricate and expensive. Effective management is essential for prompt completion and cost-effective completion, and there are several software options available to help. 

Local approval and certain codes for each type are needed for construction. Stricter guidelines are needed when creating a commercial structure, including particular rules for structural elements and materials. For both people and resources, safety standards are essential. Because residential building entails higher hazards, there are more stringent safety rules compared to commercial construction.

Residential permit application process 

Getting a building permit for a domestic project is often a simpler and faster procedure. Generally speaking, the projects are smaller in scope and have fewer stringent application requirements. 

Commercial permit application process 

Because of the complexity of the projects and the requirement for meticulous designs, engineering reports, and compliance with several laws, the application procedure for commercial permits is frequently more difficult and time-consuming. 

Residential permit costs  

Permits for residential buildings are often less expensive than those for commercial projects. Usually, the fees are determined by how much the building project is worth. 

Commercial permit costs  

Because commercial building projects are more complicated and valuable, commercial licenses typically have higher rates. 

Residential project timeline 

Homeowners can begin their work right away because residential building licenses are frequently issued in a timely manner. 

Commercial project timeline 

Obtaining commercial construction licenses may result in delays in the project timeline due to the substantial documentation and regulatory requirements. 

Residential inspection requirements  

Compared to commercial projects, residential building projects often need fewer inspections. Inspections may concentrate on safety features, electrical, plumbing, and structural components.

Commercial inspection requirements  

Several inspections are required for commercial projects at different phases of development. These inspections cover a broad variety of topics, including fire safety systems, accessibility, elevators, ventilation, and more. 

Permit renewal conditions for residential typology 

Building permits for residential use usually have a longer validity period and may not require periodic renewals. 

Permit renewal conditions for commercial typology 

Permits for firms that regularly expand or renovate may require more frequent renewals than those for ongoing projects. 

Tejjy is an architectural engineering and facility management firm that could optimize your residential and commercial building permit needs. We don’t follow a standardized building permit procedure; instead, we devise permit expediting solutions as per your project typology and location. We provide permit drawings and permit expediting help in Maryland, Washington DC , Baltimore and Virginia.