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Get a Building Permit from DCRA: What You Need To Know

28 October 2024

Get a Building Permit from DCRA: What You Need To Know

June 5, 2021 | building code, building permits, Construction Code, Construction Inspections, DCRA, foundation, Inspections, new construction, non-compliance, Permit Expediting, structural engineer, Underpinning

GUIDELINES FOR UNDERPINNING PERMIT

There are two types of Underpinning: One is shallow or traditional pit underpinning, when suitable foundation bearing soils are found at shallow depths. The second type is deep underpinning when suitable bearing soils are found at deeper depths (Helical piles, push piers, micro/mini piles to solve foundation settlement problems).

A building permit is required to provide underpinning of an existing wall footing when conducting the following construction:

  • 1. Conversion of an existing crawl space to a full basement with code complying ceiling height.
  • 2. To lower an existing basement with non-compliance ceiling height to a new basement with code complying ceiling height. 
  • 3. To add a footing to an existing wall without a footing.
  • 4. When replacing an existing wall and its footing in distress due to settlement or design deficiencies. 
  • 5. Lowering of an existing wall footing due to adjacent new construction extending to elevations lower than the elevation of existing footing 
  • 6. Lowering of existing wall footing needed due to utility trench in the vicinity of the existing wall and its footing or similar other conditions.

This underpinning work shall be under the direction of a structural engineer and undertaken by experienced contractor because of the inherent dangers of possible wall collapses and endangerment of adjoining properties in performing this work.

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29 October 2024
A hotel room with a king size bed and a flat screen tv.
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29 October 2024
A pipe is leaking water on a red wall.
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29 October 2024
A man and a woman are looking at a blueprint with a drone in the background.
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29 October 2024
A person is sitting at a table using a tablet computer.
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28 October 2024
A woman is standing in a building under construction holding a blueprint.
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A picture of the capitol building next to a picture of solar panels
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An artist 's impression of a large apartment building in a city.
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A collage of images in a gallery design
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A magnifying glass is sitting on top of a graph
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28 October 2024
A man wearing a hard hat and a yellow vest is standing in front of a wall.
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