If you plan to build a house, a business or even a new church in Dallas County, you’d better plan on getting a building permit first.

At its regular meeting Monday, the Dallas County Commission passed a resolution effective immediately that requires all new buildings to have a building permit &045;&045; no matter what type of building it is.

The resolution was passed in response to a growing problem that failed to identify buildings lying in the county’s flood plain, said commission Chairman Johnny Jones.

Federal law requires all buildings that lie in flood plains to have flood insurance. By requiring contractors to obtain permits, it will be easier to determine if the proposed structure lies in a flood plain.

Jones said he realized that was a problem when a $200,000 house was built just inches from a flood plain and the purchaser didn’t realize it. Jones said they were able to work with the contractor on the problem, but it made him realize how many other buildings are put up without permits.

Commissioner Roy Moore said that more of Dallas County lies in a flood plain that people may realize.

Jones insisted that the process of getting a permit is very easy. &uot;We’re going to make it so easy that it’s painless,&uot; he said.

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