Building Plans
Probably the most important step in the permit process is the submittal and review of building plans. Plans are detailed written documents describing the scope of your project.
Such plans are important because they:
- Help you decide if the project you are proposing will meet your needs
- Allow you to determine the cost of materials and construction
- Help you easily submit a project to be bid on comparably by contractors
- Are required by the City of Hopkins as a condition of receiving a building permit for certain types of work
Preparing Your Plans
You can prepare your own plans or have them prepared for you by a contractor or a drafting service. Plans must be detailed and neatly drawn to a usable scale. (A common scale for floor plans and building plans is ¼ inch to 1 foot.) It is helpful if each page identifies the address of the project as well as the owner's name. For smaller projects, you can use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper.
If your project is very complex, you may find it advantageous to hire a professional designer to assist you. Also, if your design involves complicated framing techniques or the use of steel I-beams, for example, you may be required to verify that the designs meet code as a part of the plan review process. The Inspections Department may require that a licensed engineer provide this verification.
Typical residential plans include a site plan (decks, additions, and garages only), foundation plans, cross sections, elevations, details of various structural components, and a window schedule.
Here are descriptions of what should be included on various portions of the plans.
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Cross Sections
Cross sections show a view through the building's framework from foundation to the peak of the roof.
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Elevations
An elevation plan is a view of the building, as one would see it from each side of the building.
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Floor Plans
Floor plans should be submitted for each floor affected by a building project.
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Foundation Plan
Foundation plans indicate the path and location of the footings and general notes on the foundation design.
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Site Plan
The site plan is a scale drawing of the lot showing the location of each building on the lot.
Plan Review
When your plans are finished, submit two sets to the City. (The City retains one set, the other set will be returned to the permit applicant with any corrections noted.)
A staff member will review the plans to determine if the proposed work complies with the building code. The goal is to uncover potential problem areas while the project is still on paper and save you costly corrections later.
Changing Plans
Once your plans are reviewed and approved, it is very important that you do not change the plans without prior approval of the Inspections Department. If you change the plans, you run the risk of code violations and negate the purpose of having the plans reviewed in the first place.
Notice
This information is intended as a guide to the subject matter and is based in part on the 2015 Minnesota State Building Code and Hopkins City Ordinances. While every attempt has been made to insure the correctness of this information, no guarantees are made to its accuracy or completeness. Responsibility for compliance with applicable codes and ordinances falls on the owner or contractor. For specific questions regarding code requirements, refer to the Minnesota Building Code.