Major vs minor vehicle repair facility

[Rickycandela]

Hi guys. I want to ask a question that might bring some cool discussions but that is not the purpose.
I am building a 6 bay automobile repair shop with waiting room, offices, stock room, restrooms, break room for employees and separate restroom for customers, basically all the things you would expect a vehicle repair facility should have (at least I think so).
The deal is that the arquitect submitted the plans and stated that the intended use of the facility is for minor vehicle repairs.
Well, guess what? The guy at the permits place says that according to the business web page we do more than minor repairs and that I should request the permits as a major vehicle repair facility.
I don’t even know why the arquitect’s fuzz is all about if I have always complied with the law
I store my used oils in containment safe tanks,
I have the required fuel recovering equipment with filters
I get all my oil, antifreeze, filters and fuels picked up by the recycling companies with documentations to prove it.
I have been inspected by the EPA guy before and passed with flying colors (he actually made a comment about how neat I had my shop, a place I rented for the last 8 years that was a massage place before)
I have all the signs about no smoking, all tanks labeled, all signs for fire extinguishers inspected and tagged.
I have a certified refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment (robinair machine that I bought brand new 3 years ago)
I have been certified for recycling and handling refrigerants under section 609 of the federal clean air act since 1997 by two different agencies. ASE and ESCO INSTITUTE, I am a master ASE certified Technician Plus small engine diesels, plus advance level plus service consultant.
We have the safe equipment to do struts, suspension, alignments
I have been operating with a license since day one
I am MAP (motorist assurance program) certified since day one
Have all my county and city permits since day one
Have all the propper stands and jacks to handle engine, transmissions and differentials
I can go on and on but this architect guy scared the jesus out of me and now I want to ask you if there is anything I should be prepared for structurally wise, or substantially monetary wise to accommodate the facility from (minor to major) Sorry for the long speech but I want to make you guys understand the kind of person I am trying to make it.
Thanks for all your responses in advance.

 

[cullen]

Sounds like you do major repairs. Why don't you just change the permit to a major repair facility?

 

[n20junkie]

I would consider minor repairs to be stuff like oil changes, wipers, body mechanics (locks, hinges, windows......


If your pulling engines, transmissions and such, I believe that to be major repairs as well.

 

[Pluribus]

Can you spend a little more time with the person at the "permits place" to find out definitions and respective permit, structural, scope of allowable activities, etc. for what you plan to be doing? Your architect may know buildings and design, but you really need to get the information from a relevant, accurate source. If you permit based on "minor" repair facility requirements, and you end up not being allowed to do the work you plan on, the architect isn't going to be able to fix anything down the road. Consider yourself thankful that the person took the extra step to look at your business and caught that you were beyond the scope of a minor repair facility rather than just issue the permit!

 

[Rickycandela]

I know that but I guess I will refrase the question,
What is the fisical difference between a shop that does minor vs major repairs.
In other words , What does a major repair shop has to fisically have that a minor repair shop don’t. I forgot to mention that the property is Zoned IG (industrial general), I sat down with the permit guy and asked before buying the Propperty if I could build a automotive repair facility and he said yes. But we never got into the detail of major and minor repairs category that to be honest I wasn’t aware of its existence.
The permit guy pointed me to a website called Muni Code that specifies the difference between services offered at a minor vs major. But the major repair definition according to the Municipal code (that muni code webpage) states that a major repair facility repairs or replaces all the components of the vehicle. Period, no more explanations.
And that the minor repair facility services and repairs all the ancillary systems of the vehicle plus fluids, but NOT removing the cylinder head or crankase.
I just don’t want to open a new can of worms with different codes and requirements that could reflect a substantial cost increase (that I can not afford) in building the shop, that’s all.

 

[Gmonkee]

At least you show great agility at jumping through hoops for the gov. Most would have rethough it and opened a gourmet coffee place in the mall by now.

Set down and discuss it with the local code gestapo and get it in writing. Much safer than asking us.

 

[matt_i]

Bottom line is you need to understand the cost of the classification. Whether its additional inspections, environmental issues like dealing with oily runoff, etc.

First responsibility of building and zoning is to make sure proper taxation is applied.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'd be looking at the permit definition of minor vs. major repairs. If there is a differentiation it could be unnecessarily costly (construction, design, zoning issues and ongoing taxes) to have "major" if the work being performed could be classified as minor.
If not defined for the permit why not just have "repair facility"?

 

[77Birdman]

As a commercial builder who has dealt with more than their share of architects, I would not worry about the classification that he has assigned in regards to the structure. The classification difference between MAJOR and MINOR is something to be taken up with the code enforcement official. If he is standing behind what the arch. put on the drawings, then simply go back to the arch. and have him change the nomenclature. Chances are the drawings are on computer and it will take less time to change than to read this response. That change should have NO effect at all on the structural capabilities of the building, thus no further expense should be incurred. The building is designed to withstand the elements and if designed and built properly could care less if its a MAJOR auto shop or a nail salon!

 

[KenC]

It seems that you have the definition of the difference. You stated it in your post 5.

And, by that definition, you are a major repair facility.

Sit down with the architect and explain that it was filed wrong and ask him to promptly correct his error. Then provide you with any required changes that may cause.

I'd bet the answer is none, but it's his job to handle that.

 

[jimindm]

I would bet that the overall building will not change much. By going to a major classification, may trigger some other stuff. Not exactly what you intend to do, but what you could do.

The major classification may allow you to paint or undercoat. Instead of no exhaust fan, maybe requiring you to include a larger or explosion proof one.

I would think a grease trap, sprinkler system, maybe a better or more firewalls, would be looked at also.

Ithink you are kind of thinking what you do is minor, but in the municipality thinking it maybe major. It may not be what you are doing at all, but what you could do.

 

[Moose97]

The difference in "Major" and "Minor" repairs will not effect the type of construction of the building. Most likely what it will do is knock you into a different zoning classification. "Major" automotive repair is usually required to be in "Industrial" zoning areas whereas "Minor" automotive repair facilities can be in "Commercial" zoned areas.

Bottom line is you may not be able to build your building where you hope to. Contact the city yourself. See what the issue is.

 

[Rickycandela]

Well, luckly I am in a industrial zone, zoned IG for industrial general.

 

[Two Speed]

Seems fairly straight forward, if the scope of your future service facility includes changing a head gasket, you are a major repair facility.

 

[ZipSnafu]

I would think it is just a permit thing and that means "mo money to da man" and nothing else. Maybe certain safety equipment.

 

[Marctrees]

I'm still thinking about the "Massage" part.

Marc

 

[Garett]

What a dumb label. I see people doing "major" repairs on the side of the road.

 

[bczygan]

Hi guys. I want to ask a question that might bring some cool discussions but that is not the purpose.
I am building a 6 bay automobile repair shop with waiting room, offices, stock room, restrooms, break room for employees and separate restroom for customers, basically all the things you would expect a vehicle repair facility should have (at least I think so).
The deal is that the arquitect submitted the plans and stated that the intended use of the facility is for minor vehicle repairs.
Well, guess what? The guy at the permits place says that according to the business web page we do more than minor repairs and that I should request the permits as a major vehicle repair facility.
I don’t even know why the arquitect’s fuzz is all about if I have always complied with the law
I store my used oils in containment safe tanks,
I have the required fuel recovering equipment with filters
I get all my oil, antifreeze, filters and fuels picked up by the recycling companies with documentations to prove it.
I have been inspected by the EPA guy before and passed with flying colors (he actually made a comment about how neat I had my shop, a place I rented for the last 8 years that was a massage place before)
I have all the signs about no smoking, all tanks labeled, all signs for fire extinguishers inspected and tagged.
I have a certified refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment (robinair machine that I bought brand new 3 years ago)
I have been certified for recycling and handling refrigerants under section 609 of the federal clean air act since 1997 by two different agencies. ASE and ESCO INSTITUTE, I am a master ASE certified Technician Plus small engine diesels, plus advance level plus service consultant.
We have the safe equipment to do struts, suspension, alignments
I have been operating with a license since day one
I am MAP (motorist assurance program) certified since day one
Have all my county and city permits since day one
Have all the propper stands and jacks to handle engine, transmissions and differentials
I can go on and on but this architect guy scared the jesus out of me and now I want to ask you if there is anything I should be prepared for structurally wise, or substantially monetary wise to accommodate the facility from (minor to major) Sorry for the long speech but I want to make you guys understand the kind of person I am trying to make it.
Thanks for all your responses in advance.

Both are allowed in Tampa IG zoning.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

I spoke with them.

Call a guy called John Franklin with City of Tampa Construction division. 813 274-3100 option1.

He can explain, or give you to your guy in the department, what the differences are in the cost and complexity in the building department, and how they affect you. From what he said, they are minimal. You meet the requirements in planning by being IG. The requirements for a repair facility of any type are governed by Florida building code and they do not differentiate between light and heavy.

You DO want to be classified as heavy, as anything much more than brakes and oil changes and windshield wipers is heavy, and you don't want to be mis-classified and be doing heavier work and get caught. They have a permit fee estimator online you can use. It sounds like they assess fees based on what type of building you are doing, not the classification zoning gives you.

But call him to get more info which will lessen the unknown and replace fear of the unknown, with knowledge.

Bill

 

[6768rogues]

There could be some local differences between major and minor repair facilities. I am just guessing but maybe major repair facilities have to be further from property lines, have hours of business regulated, have more regulations pertaining to storing major parts outdoors or disassembled cars outdoors, or some other thing that a local do-gooder pointy head politician thought of. You need to find out, as it is almost certainly a local difference.

 

[Rickycandela]

Thanks for all the replies guys, guess will know after the permits get resubmitted.