Last updated: October 9, 2026
PermitCove (www.permitcove.com) publishes plain-English guides that help U.S. homeowners understand building permits, inspections, zoning, and renovation paperwork. Please read this disclaimer before relying on anything you find here. By using this site, you accept the terms below.
General information only
Everything on PermitCove is general educational information. It is written to help you ask better questions and prepare for conversations with your building department, contractor, or other professionals. It is not tailored to your property, your project, or your jurisdiction.
Not professional advice
Nothing on this site is legal, engineering, architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, tax, insurance, real estate, financial, or other professional advice. Reading PermitCove does not create an attorney-client, engineer-client, or any other professional relationship. For decisions that carry legal, safety, or financial consequences, consult a licensed professional in your state, such as an attorney, a licensed contractor, a design professional, or a code consultant.
Not a government website
PermitCove is an independent publication. It is not a government agency and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any city, county, state, federal office, building department, homeowners association, or code organization. Our city guides summarize publicly available information; only the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) can tell you what applies to your project and issue a permit.
Rules vary and change
Building codes, permit thresholds, fees, forms, timelines, and enforcement practices differ from one city and county to the next, and they change often. Local amendments can override model codes such as the International Residential Code. Figures in our articles (for example, size limits, heights, setbacks, fees, or review times) are illustrative patterns and may be out of date or not apply where you live. Always confirm current requirements directly with your local building or permit office before you buy materials, sign a contract, or start work.
Accuracy and corrections
We research each guide using official sources where possible, link to those sources, and review content periodically. Even so, we cannot guarantee that every page is complete, current, or error-free. If you spot a mistake or an outdated rule, please tell us through our contact page and include the page URL and a link to the official source. We review reports and update articles when a correction is confirmed.
Safety
Construction, electrical, gas, structural, and excavation work can cause serious injury, property damage, or death. Our articles do not teach you how to perform that work safely. Hire qualified, licensed professionals where your jurisdiction requires them, call 811 before you dig, and follow the manufacturer's instructions and all applicable codes.
Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, PermitCove and its contributors are not liable for any loss, damage, fine, penalty, delay, failed inspection, rejected application, or other consequence arising from the use of, or reliance on, information on this site. You are solely responsible for verifying information and for the decisions you make about your property and project.
External links
We link to government websites, code publishers, and other third-party resources for your convenience and to cite our sources. We do not control those sites and are not responsible for their content, accuracy, availability, or privacy practices. A link does not mean we endorse the site or its owner.
Advertising disclosure
PermitCove may display advertisements, including ads served by Google AdSense and its partners, to support the cost of running the site. Advertisers do not write, review, or approve our content, and the presence of an ad is not an endorsement of the advertised product or service. How ad partners use cookies is explained in our Privacy Policy.
Affiliate and sponsored content
PermitCove does not currently publish sponsored posts or paid reviews. If we ever include affiliate links or sponsored content, we will label it clearly on the page where it appears.
Examples and scenarios
Examples, cost ranges, and project scenarios in our articles are simplified for illustration. They are not quotes, estimates, or predictions of what your project will cost or how long your review will take.
Changes to this disclaimer
We may update this disclaimer from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top shows when it last changed. Continued use of the site after an update means you accept the revised disclaimer.
What this means in plain English
This section summarizes the disclaimer above. It does not replace or change any of it.
- We explain; your building department decides. Our guides help you understand the process and prepare questions. Only the office that issues permits for your property can say what applies to your project.
- Numbers can change. Size limits, fees, and timelines in our articles come from public sources and can go out of date or differ where you live. Check them with your local office before you rely on them.
- We are not your lawyer, engineer, or contractor. Reading a guide does not create a professional relationship. For decisions with legal, safety, or money consequences, talk to a licensed professional.
- Ads do not decide what we write. Advertisers do not write, review, or approve our articles.
- Tell us when something is wrong. Send the page URL and a link to the official source, and we will check it.
Disclaimer FAQ
If a PermitCove guide and my city's website disagree, which one is right?
Your city's. Follow the rule published by the authority having jurisdiction, and if you have a moment, send us the link through the contact page so we can review the article.
Can I show a PermitCove article to my building department or contractor?
You can share our guides as background. Keep in mind that the department will go by its own adopted code and local amendments, so it helps to also bring the official links our articles cite.
Do the calculator and checker give official answers?
No. They give estimates based on the model code and the published rules we have researched. Your building department's records and decisions are the official answer.
Contact
Questions about this disclaimer? Reach us through the contact page. You can also learn more about who we are on our About page.
See also our Terms of Use, our Editorial Policy on how guides are researched and corrected, and the page about the founder and editor, Ahmed Khalifa.
