New Construction: Permits and Inspections

[William Savage]

Greetings all,

I have a background in construction engineering and management and I want to take on a role as a GC/Developer/Planner for new construction of a pre-fabricated home property.

I'm planning on building multi-unit structures for rent in an urban lot, (I will have to get this lot re-zoned) but for the process of construction, I'm trying to determine which permits I absolutely need to obtain, and which inspections I need to conduct, and how much all of this is going to cost.

In other words, I'm having difficulty in determining fact from fiction when it comes to inspections and permits, and distinguishing which ones I absolutely must obtain, and which ones are just "good to have."

It's my understanding that all inspections and permits are good to have in general, but I also understand that there are a few that may not totally be necessary. 

Is there any truth to this? The pre-manufactured home I have in mind is going to be built to my local code before it ships, so I'm not concerned about the building itself.

Outside of my underground MEP connections, are there any others that I must have besides my general building permit? Geotech? Sloping/Grading for watershed?

Is it essential for me to know all of the requirements that I need to fulfill? Or are these things that the City will help me address as I build the property?

Someone with experience who can elaborate on this would be greatly appreciated! 

Thanks