Finished Basements

Basement is generally a room or number of rooms in a building, completely or partly below the level of the ground. Design is a sketch or drawing or plan using which something – for example basement – may be made.

When most people think of an addition to their home, they think about adding on to the existing structure. What many seem to forget is that their "addition," already 30% completed, is literally right under their noses – in the basement.

Professionally finished basements are a plus whereas unprofessionally finished basements are a minus.

You must obtain permits for finishing a basement. Listed below are the types of permits required, depending on the complexity of the project. Apply for your permits at the Permit Application Center.

• Building permit for construction of architectural and structural elements.
• Electrical permit for all electrical installations.
• Plumbing permit for installations of plumbing and gas piping systems.
• Mechanical permit is not required to install ductwork in a finished basement.

Covenants and Deed Restrictions are regulations set forth by many homeowners or civic associations. Your finished basement will comply with the standard Code (USBC) for residential construction.

There are two options for a plan submission; the requirements for each are listed below. When submitting plans, two complete sets are required for review.

A comprehensive set of construction plans must meet the requirements or show the items listed below.

• Minimum scale of 1/ 4" = 1'-0"; all dimensions must be shown.
• Minimum sheet size: 8 1/ 2" x 11", no pencil.
• Name, address, and occupation of the building designer.
• Layout of the finished basement showing rooms, name and function of each area, and dimensions. See below for sample layout.



The following must be completed in a finished basement:



• Clearances to furnace and hot water heater and louver locations in furnace rooms.
• Location of stairs, furnace and water heater.
• Electric panel board location and clearance.
• Location of bathroom-exhaust and smoke alarms.
• Ceiling height.
• Emergency egress is required for all finished basements and basement bedrooms regardless of when the house was constructed. However, basements with bedrooms are only required to have emergency egress in the bedrooms. Egress may be attained with a walkout door or approved window. Plans must show method of emergency egress. In the case of an egress window, show the height of the sill above the finished floor and window opening dimensions.
• A window well for basement emergency egress is required when the sill of the egress window is located below exterior grade. Details must include the following:


• All dimensions including length, width and depth.
• Ladder details including, width, spacing of rungs, and offset from window well wall.
• Guard or cover details when window well is more than 30" deep.
• Complete set of construction documents adequately detailing structural elements of the window well.
• Specifications for prefabricated window wells.


• If a new opening in the basement wall is necessary for emergency egress requirements, details of the alterations must be submitted.

The following conditions require the submission of plans: new window well, bedroom, kitchen, wet bar, and an alteration to a load bearing wall, exterior wall, beam or column/post.

Obtaining a permit

Permit Process:

Bring the construction documents described herein to the Permit Application Center where your permit process will begin. Here you will complete a building permit application. Permit technicians will direct you to the appropriate agencies necessary for permit approval. The applicable departments for a finished basement are:

• Zoning reviews finished basements for wet bars and second kitchens.
• Health Department reviews finished basements that are adding basement bedrooms and are served by a private sewer or well.
• Building Plan Review will review for compliance to the applicable building codes.

The building permit is issued when all required approvals have been obtained and applicable fees have been paid. Once your permits are issued, you must post a copy on the job site until the project has received final approval. Most finished basements are eligible for the Walk-Thru program, which allows you in most cases to apply for and obtain your permit in the same day.

Electrical and plumbing permits are issued after the building permit is approved, but may be processed at the same time. Plans submittals are not required.

• A copy of the approved permit and plans, must be on the job site and must be available to the inspector during each inspection.
• All close-in and final inspections for building, electrical and plumbing are required to be conducted simultaneously. The inspector may hold the requests until all trades are ready to be inspected.

In short, professionally finished basements are a plus. Unprofessionally finished basements are a minus!