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Commercial Building Permit (Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement)

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1. Is the online submission of a Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) the correct process for the Tenant Fit-Out?

Yes. The application will be categorized as a Commercial with Use (CU) Tenant Fit-Out Application. Once the building permit is issued and Inspections finalizes and approves, the Certificate of Occupancy will be issued. Click to start your Permit Application.

2. Can the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) application be submitted separately from the Planning submission for the building shell and related site improvements?

Yes, but the building permit for the building shell must be issued first.

3. Can the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) application be submitted in parallel with the Planning submission, or does it need to be submitted after Planning approvals are received?

Yes, they may be submitted in parallel. The construction and zoning plans will be reviewed through ePlan simultaneously.

4. What is the estimated timeframe for processing and issuing a Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) application?

The 1st cycle review is approximately 4-6 weeks, or you may use Third Party Plan Review if you want an expedited process. To learn more, visit the Third-Party Plan Review Program (TPPRP) page.

5. Is there any other pertinent information regarding Tenant Fit-Out Permits that we should be aware of?

Additional requirements may be requested once the plans are submitted and reviewed. If there is any plumbing work, contact WSSC by email at Plumbingplansreview@wsscwater.com or by phone at 301-206-8886. Contact Planning for zoning questions online at Zoning Verification and Uses to submit an Online Request Form by email to PPD-InfoCounter@ppd.mncppc.org.

DPIE Site/Road Review may be applicable. You are required to have Third Party Inspections. More information may be found in the TPIP Manual.

6. For the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) (CU Commercial with Use) Tenant Fit-Out Application, is a separate submittal to the Fire Department required or is it part of the Building Permit?

No, a separate submittal is not required. It is part of the building permit review; however, separate building permits will be issued for sprinklers/alarms.

7. Are sprinkler/fire alarm drawings to be submitted with the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) application, or are they submitted separately by the vendor contractor?

The sprinkler/fire alarm drawings are submitted in a separate building permit application for approval of sprinklers/alarms.

8. If the sprinkler/fire alarm drawings are submitted separately by the vendor contractor, does any of the information need to be shown on the Tenant Fit-Out drawings?

Just information regarding existing/proposed fire protection systems should be included on the building permit drawing. A separate building permit needs to be obtained as per question #2.

9. For the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) application, is a separate submittal to the Health Department required, or is it part of the Building Permit with U&O application?

No, it is part of the Tenant Fit-Out application review by Health.

10. Will the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) application process route to any other departments?

If so, which departments? Yes, the application process with route the application to Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Site/Road Plan Review, and Health.

11. For the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) (type CU Commercial with Use) Tenant Fit-Out Application, are there any other permits/approvals required?

Once the application has DPIE / Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) review approvals, the permit can be issued; then trade permits (electrical/mechanical) can be obtained online by the licensed trade contractors. Any plumbing / gas plans review / permits must be obtained from WSSC. Contact WSSC by email at Plumbingplansreview@wsscwater.com or by phone at 301-206-8886.

12. Are there any approvals required prior to submitting the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) application?

WSSC approval is required before issuance of the permit. Contact WSSC by email at Plumbingplansreview@wsscwater.com or by phone at 301-206-8886.

13. Is Landlord authorization/signature required as part of the permit application submittal?

A copy of the signed lease agreement between tenant/owner or letter of authorization from owner is required. View DPIE’s Use & Occupancy Requirements website page for more information.

14. Must a contractor be selected before we submit a permit application?

No; however, a permit cannot be issued until a contractor is identified.

15. What permit application and plan review fees are required?

Please see the DPIE Fee Schedule.

16. Are plan review fees submitted with permit application/plans or when the permit is issued?

There are plans filing fees and final permit fees required.

17. Can fees be paid online with a credit card, or do they need to be paid by check?

Fees may be paid on the ePayments online link.
For alternate forms of payment, visit DPIE’s “Payments” page for more information. https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/4181/Payments

18. Is a separate submittal required for racking/shelving that is under 5 feet?

No; unless it is 12 feet or more, then yes.

19. Is a separate permit required for Material Handling Equipment (MHE) such as conveyance systems?

No, include information on the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) (CU) submission.

20. Are energy calculations forms required?

Yes.

21. Are structural calculations required? When are they required?

Yes. Structural calculations are part of the application submittal package if any structural work is involved.

22. Is a site plan required for a Tenant Fit-Out?

Yes. Visit the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) website to fill out an Online Information Request Form and email it to PPD-InfoCounter@ppd.mncppc.org.

23. Is an asbestos survey required?

If this is a new building, then an asbestos survey may not be applicable.

24. Is an authorized agent form required?

The applicant or owner can be the authorized agent.

25. How long is the Building Permit with U&O approval valid? If an extension is needed, what is the process?

The Building Permit with U&O is valid for 6 months. If an extension is needed, submit a permit renewal request to Clarence Moseley, Permit Center Manager, at cemoseley@co.pg.md.us.
Use the Permit Renewal Request Form.

26. Are plan reviews completed in-house or by a Third Party reviewer?

Plans are reviewed in-house unless you select a Third Party Plan Reviewer. Visit DPIE’s website for information on the Third Party Plan Review Program.

27. Is the Sprinkler/Fire Alarm Building Permit application submitted to DPIE, the Fire Department, or another department?

The Sprinkler/Fire Alarm Building Permit application should be submitted to DPIE.

28. Can the Sprinkler/Fire Alarm Building Permit application be submitted at the same time as the Building Permit with U&O application and reviewed in parallel?

No, the building permit has to be issued first. For more information and requirements, visit DPIE’s website page on Third Party Review Program for Fire & Life Safety. 

29. What is the estimated timeframe for processing and issuing the sprinkler/fire alarm building permit?

The estimated time-frame for processing and issuing sprinkler/fire alarm building permits is approximately 5 business days.

30. Can the WSSC Plumbing/Gas Permit application be submitted at the same time as the Building Permit with Use & Occupancy (U&O) permit application and reviewed in parallel?

Please contact WSSC by email at Plumbingplansreview@wsscwater.com or by phone at 301-206-8886 regarding their process.

31. What is the estimated timeframe for WSSC review and issuance of the Plumbing/Gas Permit?

Please contact WSSC by email at Plumbingplansreview@wsscwater.com or by phone at 301-206-8886 regarding their review and issuance time-frames.