Commercial Construction

• Initial Review
  • Contact Planning staff to determine if a new use of the property is allowed and schedule a pre-application meeting. 785-368-3728
• 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 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

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)

• 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 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

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)