Commercial Construction

There are three phases of Commercial Development

  • Planning
  • Building Permit
  • Construction

Basic Development Review Flow Chart

Below are the development processes for Commercial New Construction and Commercial Remodels

Commercial New Construction Development Process

 

PLANNING PHASE (2-14 weeks)

  • Initial Review
  • Pre-application Meeting
    • We invite all reviewing departments to meet with applicant  and determine requirements for planning and/or building permit applications. If use is allowed under current zoning/platting, skip to Site Plan Review Approval below.
      • Zoning/Platting Approval
      • Uses not allowed as proposed will require one or more of the following applications to be approved :
      • Re-zoning – Must be approved by Governing Body after Planning Commission public hearing ($500-$950, 10-12 weeks)
      • Conditional Use Permit (CUP) – Must be approved by Governing Body after Planning Commission public hearing ($500-$950, 10 weeks)
      • Platting of Subdivision – Most plats can be approved by staff (min. $150, min 3-4 weeks)
      • Variance/Appeal – Must be approved by Board of Zoning Appeals ($130, 5 weeks)
  • Property owner notices and/or neighborhood information meetings will be required for applications approved by the Governing Body  or Board of Zoning Appeals
  •  Site Plan Review Approval
    • Once zoning/platting is approved, a Site Plan Review application must be submitted and approved prior to proceeding to Building Permit Phase. This includes stormwater plans.

 

BUILDING PERMIT PHASE (6 week average)

Building Permit Application & Review

  • Design professional submits complete application/fees for building permit with construction plans and civil engineering plans. (See a complete list of applications and access our Permit Portal here.)
  • Plans are reviewed for compliance with following standards:
    • Building Code
    • Trades Codes
      • Mechanical
      • Plumbing
      • Electrical
    • Zoning/Platting
    • Fire Prevention
    • Traffic Engineering
    • Water
    • Sanitary Sewer
    • Stormwater
  • Comments and revisions are sent back to design professional (2 weeks)
  • Design professional makes any necessary revisions and resolves issues

Building Permit Issuance

  • Can permit be approved in phases? For example, a footing and foundation permit can be issued first while shell permit is still being processed
  • The applicant is notified the permit is approved and ready for pick-up upon payment of remaining fees
  • Schedule pre-construction meeting
  • Create trade permits and verify any deferred submittal requirements
  • All contractors must be licensed to work within the City of Topeka

 

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Inspections & Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

  • Contractor calls in for inspections during construction including Building, Fire, and Trades (mechanical, electrical, & plumbing)
  • Includes but not limited to footings and foundations, framing, fire separations, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire prevention and suppression
    systems.
  • Upon final inspection by all reviewing agencies, building official issues certificate of occupancy (CO)

*** Download a flowchart of the Commercial New Construction Development Process ***

 

Commercial Remodel Development Process

 

PLANNING PHASE

  • Contact Planning staff to determine if proposed use meets zoning approvals.
  • If YES go to Building Permit Phase
  • If NO go to Step 2 of Planning Phase under “New Construction” flow chart

 

BUILDING PERMIT PHASE

Building Permit Application & Review

  • Pre-App Meeting
  • Consult with Development Services staff to determine any required building, fire, or trade permits due to change of use or modifications on site
  • Application
  • Design professional submits complete application/fees for required permit
  • Review
    • Plans are reviewed for compliance with following standards:
      • Building Code
      • Trade Codes
        • Mechanical
        • Plumbing
        • Electrical
      • Fire Prevention
    • Comments and revisions are sent back to design professional
    • Design professional makes any necessary revisions and resolves issues

    Building Permit Issuance

    • The applicant is notified the permit is approved and ready for pick-up upon payment of remaining fees
    • Schedule pre-construction meeting
    • Create trade permits
    • All contractors must be licensed to work within the City of Topeka

     

    CONSTRUCTION PHASE

    Inspections & Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

    • Contractor calls in for inspections during construction including Building, Fire, and Trades (mechanical, electrical, & plumbing)
    • Upon final inspection by all reviewing agencies, building official issues certificate of occupancy (CO)

    *** Download a flowchart of the Commercial Remodel Development Process ***