WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW IF I'M PLANNING A REMODEL OR AN ADDITION TO MY HOUSE? 

Are you planning to update the look of your house?  Does the work involve an expansion of the "footprint" of your home?  In either case, it would be a good idea to contact the City of Mustang Community Development Department to see if a building permit is necessary. Give us a call at (405) 376-9873 during normal business hours or e-mail us with your ideas and we will help determine you need one.

Minor change like painting, tiling or carpeting do not require a permit.  Bigger jobs such a a room addition, a garage conversion or any work to change the use of a room necessitate a building permit

Here are some FAQs:

Q: Is a permit required a garage is converted to a bedroom?  

A: Absolutely.  Changing the use of any room to sleeping quarters usually requires a permit.  Likewise, a garage conversion is a major construction project where a permit is necessary.  Our regulations require every home to have at least one enclosed parking space.  In addition, the location of gas-fired appliances, electric service panels and other utilities commonly found in the garage could pose problems in creating sleeping quarters.  

Q: What documents will we need when we apply for a permit?

A:  All projects require a complete, legible construction permit application to be filed with the Community Development Department.  You will also need at least three copies of a floor plan.  It must be drawn to a common scale or include all measurements necessary for a a thorough plans examination.  Your floor plan should include the following elements:

1. Illustrate all interior and exterior walls; provide information on the means of egress (size and types of doors and windows).  Show any additional landings proposed for doors or staircases.

2. Label all rooms according to their intended use.

3. Show existing and proposed mechanical (heating/ventilation/air conditioning) systems and components. 

4. Show existing and proposed electrical systems and components including any change to service.

5. Show existing and proposed plumbing systems and components including any changes to utility services.

6. Illustrate the location of existing and proposed smoke detectors.  A smoke detector is required in all sleeping rooms and usually must be interconnected with other existing smoke detectors.

7. Show all staircases, ramps, handrails, etc.

8. Plans that proposed to create additional floors or to create any habitable underground space will require review and certification by a professional architect or engineer hired by the Applicant.  Please contact our office if your project involves these changes.

Q:  Is a floor plan all that is needed for our permit?

A:  Floor plans are all that is required if all proposed work is taking place under the same roof line and within the same footprint of the home.  However, if you are expanding the roof or pouring concrete, you will probably need to supply three copies of a site plan as well. A good site plan consists has the following components:

1. Show all property lines, easements, right-of-ways and other legal elements affecting the lot and label them accordingly.

2. Draw and accurately label all existing and proposed structures and accessory uses.

3. Show any water distribution mains, fire hydrants and service lines bordering or crossing the property.  Show the location of the water well and water service lines.

4. Draw the sanitary sewer service line and any public sanitary or storm water mains on or around the property.  If the home depends on a private disposal system, you will need to show all equipment and outline any part of the property affected by the system (lateral field, spray field, etc.).

5. Illustrate existing and proposed driveways.

Q:  Will I need an architect to help with plans?

A:  Applicants can usually do all of their own work.  Plans can be formulated by hand or by using a computer.  There are inexpensive plan programs available for download online, or you can have a go at it yourself using scaled paper, a ruler and a pen.

Not all of us are artists, but your plans will be fine as long as they are accurate and have all of the elements necessary to allow us to verify your design, materials and workmanship are code compliant.  You will need a professional designer if your plans feature any clear span over thirty (30) feet wide,  any habitable underground space or a fire suppression system.

Q:  How long will it take to review my plans?

A:  The length of time it takes us to review plans depends on a number of factors.  The Community Development Department operates with a very small, efficient staff.  When everyone is in the office, things move quickly and plan review may take only one to four working days.  We slow down up to 20% when even one person is gone due to illness, vacation, training or any other reason.  Please do your part to make sure your plan examination is not slowed  because of a lack of documents.  A legible application and three accurately drawn sets of floor and site plans are critical to the process.

Q: How long is my permit valid?

A:  Permits are good for six (6) months.  If an inspection passes during the first six months, the time for completion is extended to one (1) year from the date when the permit was issued.  Permits can be renewed in most instances.

Q:  Can we add a room to our home if it is dependent on a private septic system for wastewater disposal?  

A:  If a new bedroom is part of your plans, you will need to contact the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to verify your system can the additional load since septic systems are sized according to the number of sleeping rooms. Otherwise, just make sure there is adequate clearance between any new addition and existing lateral field or spray heads.  

Q:  How much of the work can we do ourselves?  

A: You may be able to do a lot of the work if you hold a homestead tax exemption on the property and the home is owner occupied.  Concrete flat work, framing and roofing can all be performed by the Owner.  He/She can also perform carpeting, painting, tiling, cabinetry and other trim work.  

Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work must be performed by a contractor licensed by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board and the City of Mustang. Anyone working on rental property or other buildings that are not owner occupied and inhabited must hold City and State licensing to do any work where a permit is required.

Q:  Will the Community Development Department take our subdivision covenants into consideration when reviewing our plans?

A:  Not unless these requirements are specifically included as part of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district.  It is ultimately the Applicant's onus to verify their plans comply with any deed restriction and/or subdivision covenant.

Q:  Who can I contact with other questions?

A:  Contact Inspector Blethrow at (405) 376-9873 during normal business hours.