Important Information
Please note that in most areas of the country, these house plans will be everything
you need to build, but not necessarily everything you need to obtain a building permit.
In addition to the house plans you order, you may also need a site plan that shows
where the house is going to be located on the property. You might also need beams
sized to accommodate roof loads specific to your region. Your home builder can usually
help you with this. You may also need a septic design unless your lot is served by a
sanitary sewer system. Many areas now have area-specific energy codes that also have
to be followed. This normally involves filling out a simple form providing documentation
that your house plans are in compliance.
In some regions, there is a second step you will need to take to insure your house plans
are in compliance with local codes. Some areas of North America have very strict
engineering requirements. Examples of this would be earthquake-prone areas of California
and the Pacific Coast, hurricane risk areas of the Florida, Gulf & Carolina Coasts. New
York, New Jersey, Nevada, and parts of Illinois require review by a local professional
as well. If you are building in these areas, it is most likely you will need to hire a
state licensed structural engineer to analyze the design and provide additional drawings
and calculations required by your building department. If you aren’t sure, building
departments typically have a handout they will give you listing all of the items they
require to submit for and obtain a building permit.
Additionally, stock plans do not have a professional stamp attached. If your building
department requires one, they will only accept a stamp from a professional licensed in
the state where you plan to build. In this case, you will need to take your house plans
to a local engineer or architect for review and stamping. In addition, plans which are
used to construct homes in Nevada are required to be drawn by a licensed Nevada architect.
