A tenant improvement is any alteration, renovation, and/or remodeling of an existing commercial or industrial tenant space or structure. Before any tenant improvement construction begins, plans shall be submitted for review and approval and building permit issued, final inspection passed prior to occupancy.  You are advised to check with the Current Planning Department for any zoning regulation.

Yes. Consider the following criteria for accessibility requirements:

1. Alterations to entrances, toilet facilities, elevators, steps, and handrails to meet the accessibility requirements may be limited to the actual work of the project. Contact a plan checker for further information.
2. Alterations to the meet the "readily achievable" requirements of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act may be limited to the actual work of the project. Contact a plan checker for further information.
3. Projects which consist only of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and re-roofing.
4. Electrical work not involving placement of switches and receptacles.
5. Cosmetic work that does not affect items regulated by this code such as painting, are not considered alteration projects for the purposes of meeting the accessibility requirements.

When adjusted construction cost, as defined, is less than or equal to the current valuation threshold as published by the Division of State Architect, as defined, the cost of compliance with Section 11B-202.4 shall be limited to 20 percent of the adjusted construction cost of alterations, structural repairs or additions.

When the cost  of full compliance with Section 11B-202.4 would exceed 20 percent, compliance shall be provided to the greatest extent possible without exceeding 20 percent. An unreasonable hardship exists where the cost of providing an accessible entrance, path of travel, sanitary facilities, drinking fountains and public phones is disproportionate to the cost of the project; that is, where it exceeds 20 percent of the cost of the project without these features. In no case shall the cost of compliance be less than the 20 percent of the adjusted cost of construction.

Where the cost of alterations necessary to make these features fully accessible is disproportionate, access shall be provided to the extent that it can be without incurring disproportionate cost. In choosing which accessible elements to provide, priority should be given to those elements that will provide the greatest access, in the following order:

1. an accessible entrance;
2. an accessible route to the altered area;
3. at least one accessible rest room for each sex or one accessible single-user or family restroom;
4. accessible telephones;
5. accessible drinking fountains; and
6. when possible, additional accessible elements such as parking, storage, and alarms.

For exemption qualification, please submit a written proposal for review by the Building Official which describes the required feature and costs associated with each improvement that will equal 20% of the value of the proposed construction.

Contact the Inspection Services Department at (209) 385-4773 for permit fees.

If your project is not in the City of Merced, you may still connect to the Sewer System if you are in the service area and a health hazard exists according to the Merced County Health Department. You must submit the Development Application form (available at the counter) to the Current Planning Department to be approved by the City Council. After the City Council approval, you may then apply for a sewer service connection. Contact the Planning Dept. for current fees 209-385-7373.

For detailed information about submittal materials, please refer to the Commercial Industrial Submittal Requirement Checklist available on our Building Permits Webpage.

For detailed information about submittal materials, please refer to the Multi-Family Submittal Requirement Checklist available on our Building Permits Webpage.

For detailed information about submittal materials, please refer to the Single-Family Addition Submittal Requirement Checklist available on our Building Permits Webpage.

For detailed information about submittal materials refer to the Tenant Improvement Plan Submittal Checklist available on our Building Permits Webpage 

A public works encroachment permit is required whenever work or activity is performed within the City easements or rights-of-way, such as:

• Street improvements (pavement, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and/or driveway);
• Public utility installation(s) (PG&E, PacBell, Cable TV,...);
• Storm drain installations and/or connections;
• Sanitary sewer installations and/or connections; and
• Water services and main installations.
• Monitoring well (installation, monitoring and abandonment).

A sewer service connection is required for any new construction or any existing building in case of a septic tank failure. The process for a sewer connection on a new construction begins when a building permit application has been submitted

A water service connection is required for any new construction or any existing building if the service does not meet the current demand. The process for a water connection begins when a permit application has been submitted.