Homeowner’s Guide to Obtaining a Permit for Your Precast Fence

Learn about how to get a permit for your precast concrete fence with American Precast Concrete INC.

You have decided to install a precast concrete fence around your home or business. Congratulations, this is an investment you will be enjoying for years to come!

Now that you have decided to install a precast concrete fence, you need to move on to the next step – getting the proper permits. 

Don’t worry; we will help you with the process. To start, read through this guide to better understand what a permit is, why you need one for a precast concrete fence and general steps to getting a permit.

An Agreement to Follow City Codes

A permit is an agreement between the applicant, often the homeowner, and the City. In it, the homeowner agrees to follow the city codes.

In a typical permit, you will have to show the city what you want to do. We will help you develop plans that show exactly where and how the fence will be built. 

In most cases, you will need a licensed engineer to sign off on the plans. Our in-house licensed engineers will do that for you.

Sometimes the City will respond to your permit request by asking for additional information or for changes. We will guide you and help you with those requests. 

Once you have an approved permit, you must stick to that approved plan. If we need to make changes to the plan, we will have to reapply for a new permit. 

This reapproval process can take a while and mess up plans to get a fence built quickly. This is why it’s so important to hammer out all the details as early as possible. 

Stay Safe and Avoid Fines

Why do we need to get a permit? City codes are in place to protect you from shoddy work. Getting a permit will ensure that a city inspector will inspect the work. While we are confident in our work, it never hurts to have another set of eyes on a project.

Another big reason to get a permit is not getting one can cost you big time. If you don’t get the correct permit and start work, you could end up paying the full cost of the permit and the cost for the city to investigate. This could also result in you going to the city court.

How to Get a Permit

The first step to getting a permit is checking the local city codes and requirements. The city website will have a list of everything you will need to submit a permit application. In general, you will need:

  1. A Completed Submittal Form
  2. Finished Plans Stamped by a Licensed Engineer
  3. The Permit Fee

Each city will have its own set of requirements, so go to them first to get the complete list.

Once the city has finished reviewing your application, they will either approve, deny, or request more information. Once you have the approved permit, work on the project can begin.

During the install, the city will send an inspector out to check on our work. This is to make sure no unapproved work was done and that the work was done well.

American Precast Fencing

At American Precast, we have done many projects and extensive research on which cities, heights, and projects will require permits. If you have any questions about our fencing or permits, please feel free to contact us today.