Homeowners Performing Repairs or New Construction

Article 2 of UBTC – search for owner/owner occupant.

A homeowner can do the following construction to his/her home as long as:

1. The home is owned by the applicant (must have name on title/deed).
2. The owner applicant lives/resides in the home and the home is the primary residence.
3. The home is classified as a detached single family dwelling.
4. The owner applicant is applying for a new residential building permit and a previous new residential building permit has not been issued by the applicant in the last three (3) years.

ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS REQUIRE A PERMIT AND INSPECTIONS

If you are not certain if a permit and inspections are required, it is your responsibility to call MABCD at (316) 660-1840.

(If you are buying/using lumber (2 x 4, 2 x 6, 2 x 8, 4 x 4, etc.), steel or wood beams, trusses, electrical wiring, electrical boxes, pvc or copper plumbing pipe, heating and/or air conditioning ducts, hot water tank, furnace, air conditioning compressor, windows, siding, or shingles there is a very good chance you will need a permit and inspections. If you are renting/using a backhoe, bobcat or other larger equipment, there is a very good chance you will need a permit and inspections.)

General Contracting**

• New construction
  • New house
• Addition to main structure/dwelling
  • Adding a room
  • Adding a covered patio
  • Adding a basement
  • Adding a garage attached to a house
• Remodel
  • Moving a wall
  • Tearing down a wall
  • Adding a wall
  • Adding or changing the location of a sink/tub/toilet
  • Adding or changing the location of lights or electrical outlets
  • Adding or changing the location of heating or air conditioning ducts
• New or replacement windows
  • (EXCEPTION): If replacing windows with the EXACT same window dimensions (same height and same width), permit and inspections are not required.
  • Replacement windows that are smaller (must be inspected for egress) or larger than the original window.
• New or replacement roof
• New or replacement detached structure (includes garage, gazebo, shed, out building, etc.)
  • A location permit may be required instead of a building permit. (UBTC Article 2, Section 4) A location permit ensures that the placement of the structure is not located in a setback or easement and within property boundaries. (Unified Zoning Code)
    • Are you in the City of Wichita?
      • Is your structure 200 square feet or less? You need a LOCATION permit.
      • Over 200 square feet requires a building permit and inspections.
    • Are you in Unincorporated Sedgwick County?
      • Is your structure 400 square feet or less? No permit is required.
      • Over 400 square feet requires a building permit and inspections.
    • Are you in another city in Sedgwick County (not Wichita)? Call or go to that city’s permitting office for more information.
  • New or replacement deck
    • (EXCEPTION): If the height of the top of the deck is 30” or less above the adjacent grade AND the deck has NO overhead structure such as a pergola, roof, shade slats, etc. then no permit or inspections are required.
    • ALL OTHER DECK CONFIGURATIONS NEED A PERMIT AND INSPECTIONS.

Electrical (UBTC Sec. 4.1.050)

Before you make any changes, additions or modifications to any electrical systems in your home, you must get educated and then take the MABCD’s electrical homeowner’s exam. After successfully completing this exam with a score of 75% or more,

• Submit a schematic of the electrical work you will be completing
• Schedule a plan review with the electrical chief at (316) 660-1829
• Obtain your electrical permit

The work you can do after meeting these requirements is:

• Installation, alteration, repair, replacement, or maintenance for any electrical work on the load side of the service panelboard/breaker panel/electric panel/breaker box.
• Including adding or moving electrical outlets, light switches, lighting or fan fixtures.
• Re-wiring or the addition of wiring.

YOU CANNOT PERFORM THE FOLLOWING WORK. The following work must be done by a licensed electrical contractor.

• Installations, adds or changes to the panelboard.
• Relocating the panelboard.
• Installations, additions, or changes to derived electrical systems or renewable energy systems.
  Examples are generators, photovoltaic (solar) systems, wind generators, etc.

Mechanical (UBTC Sec. 5.1.300)

Before you make any changes, additions or modifications on any mechanical systems in your home, please contact the chief mechanical inspector at (316) 640-0461 or Stoney.Nethercot@sedgwick.gov to determine if you will need a plan review or if you will need to take the MABCD mechanical homeowner’s exam.

The work you can do after passing the mechanical exam with a 75% score or approval of your mechanical plans AND obtaining a mechanical permit:

• Installing, moving, or replacing a furnace, air handler, mini split, PTAC Units as the primary source of heat, etc.
• Installing, moving, or replacing a coil air conditioner or heat pump, etc. (Must have a current EPA and means of recovering refrigerant)
• Installing, moving, or replacing a supply, return, dryer vent, exhaust duct, range vent, flue, etc.
• Installing, moving or replacing a solid fuel (wood, pellet, etc.), gas, or electric fireplace or inserts.
• Hydronic Piping
• Installing, moving or replacing a furnace.

Plumbing

Before you make any changes, additions or modifications on any plumbing systems in your home, you must get educated and then take the MABCD’s plumbing homeowner’s exam. After successfully completing this exam with a score of 75% or more, you can:

• Add or move supply pipes (fresh water) or waste pipes.
• Install or replace a hot water heater.
• YOU CANNOT DO ANY ADDS OR CHANGES ON ANY GAS LINE OR PIPING
• YOU CANNOT MOVE ANY GAS LINE OR PIPING

If you are just replacing your hot water tank, there is a water heater exam you can take. After successfully completing this exam with a score of 75% or more, you can:

• Install or replace a hot water heater.