After the footing and foundation permit is issued, letters of extension may be approved by the Building Plan Review Division Director for continuation of construction at the owner's risk prior to issuance of a full building permit. Letters of extension must be signed by the owner or owner's agent and request permission to proceed with construction for those portions of the work that have been fully approved. Full approval is required by the building discipline before an extension letter will be approved for any work under their review. Plumbing, mechanical and electrical extension will be granted only after all three disciplines have been fully approved in order to coordinate necessary overlap in review. In addition, the Health Department must give plan approval before extensions are granted for projects under their review.
The Director of Building Plan Review will not approve an extension letter request without verifying with field inspection personnel that all appropriate third party inspection reports are approved and that there are no outstanding code violations at the project site. In addition, verification is required from the Director of the Environmental and Site Review Division to ensure there are no major obstacles preventing the site plan from being approved. Extension letters are approved in stages to assure code compliance at each state of construction. For instance, erection of structural steel for two floors of a ten-story building regulation compliance are being diligently pursued.
This summarizes the procedures for filing for footing and foundation permit extensions. If you have any questions, please call Building Plan Review at 703-222-0114, TTY 711.