Find the permit guide for your project. Each guide explains what usually triggers a permit, what stays exempt, what inspectors check and where to confirm the rules with your local building department. Looking for a specific city? See building permits by city.
Permit Basics
How permits work, who pulls them, what they cost and how long they take.
- Do I Need a Building Permit? A Plain-English Guide — What’s usually required vs. exempt, why rules are local, and how to check your city before you start.
- How to Apply for a Building Permit — Find your building department, write a clear scope, submit drawings, and handle fees and inspections.
- Who Pulls the Building Permit — Homeowner or Contractor? — Owner-builder rules, red flags, trade permits, and what to get in writing.
- How Much Does a Building Permit Cost? — Flat, valuation and per-square-foot fee patterns with city examples.
- 10-Minute AHJ Permit Checklist — Zoning, measurements, trades, fees, inspections and close-out before you start.
- How Long Does a Building Permit Take? — Typical timelines, the review stages, common delays and how to speed things up.
- Demolition Permits for Houses, Garages and Sheds — Asbestos surveys, utility and sewer rules, and city waiting periods.
- Owner-Builder Permits: Rules, Risks and Who Qualifies — Who qualifies, common state conditions and the responsibilities you take on.
- Does a Building Permit Raise Property Taxes? — Permits vs assessor reassessment, and which projects actually change your bill.
Remodels & Additions
Interior remodels, structural changes and additions.
- Bathroom Remodel Permits — When cosmetic updates stop and moving fixtures, GFCI and fans need a permit.
- Kitchen Remodel Permits — Moving the sink, gas lines, islands with outlets and what stays cosmetic.
- Finishing a Basement — Egress, ceiling height, bedrooms, moisture prep and what inspectors check.
- Window Replacement Permits — Same-size swaps, egress bedrooms and historic districts.
- Roof Replacement Permit Guide — Like-for-like vs heavier materials, sheathing, wildfire and historic rules.
- Garage Conversion & ADU Permits — Zoning plus building approval for garage-to-ADU and in-law suites.
- Egress Window Permits for Basement Bedrooms — Opening size, sill height, window wells and ladders.
- Flood Zone Remodel Permits and the 50% Rule — FEMA substantial improvement rules and floodplain permits.
- Removing a Load-Bearing Wall — How to tell if a wall is bearing, the engineering package and inspections.
- Room Addition Permits — Zoning limits, the plan set, required upgrades and the inspection sequence.
- Siding Replacement Permits — Where cities draw the line, plus sheathing, lead-safe and historic rules.
- Foundation Repair Permits — Piers, underpinning, engineer-sealed plans and inspections.
- Sunroom & Three-Season Room Permits — Glazing, heat, and habitability vs screened porch or full addition.
Outdoor & Yard
Decks, sheds, fences, pools, walls and other exterior projects.
- Do I Need a Permit for a Deck? — Height thresholds, attachment, stairs, guardrails and setbacks.
- Shed Permit Requirements — Size cutoffs, setbacks, HOA rules and electrical runs.
- Fence Permits — Height limits, corner-lot sight triangles, easements and HOA rules.
- Swimming Pool & Spa Permits — Barrier fences, electrical bonding and setbacks.
- Retaining Wall Permits — How the 4-foot rule is measured, surcharge and engineer plans.
- Driveway Curb Cut Permits — Apron, sidewalk and right-of-way permits from Public Works.
- Protected Tree Removal Permits — Tree ordinances, root zones and arborist reports.
- Pergola and Patio Cover Permits — Size limits, attached vs freestanding and setbacks.
- Porch & Screened Porch Permits — Open vs enclosed porches, height rules and electrical.
- Outdoor Kitchen & Built-In BBQ Permits — Gas lines, setbacks, and listing sheets for a built-in barbecue.
- Detached Garage Building Permits — New detached garage size, setbacks, and foundation rules.
- Carport Building Permits — Open sides, size triggers, and foundations for freestanding or attached carports.
Home Systems
Electrical, plumbing, gas, HVAC, solar and EV charging.
- Water Heater Replacement Permits — Same-location swaps, tankless upgrades and inspections.
- HVAC Permit Guide — Furnace, AC and heat pump mechanical permits.
- Electrical Permit Guide — Outlets, new circuits and panel upgrades.
- Solar Panel Permits — Expedited permitting, SolarAPP+ and batteries.
- EV Charger Permit Guide — Level 2 installs, load calculations and panel upgrades.
- Standby Generator Permits — Gas, electrical, transfer switches and setbacks.
- Plumbing & Gas Line Permits — What homeowners can and can’t DIY.
- Mini-Split Permits — Mechanical, electrical and refrigerant rules.
- Sewer Line Replacement Permits — Private lateral vs street, and who can do the work.
Inspections & Closeout
Passing inspections and closing out your permit.
- Expired Building Permit — Renew, extend or close out an open permit.
- Building Permit Inspection Prep — What to have ready from rough-in to final.
- Failed Final Building Inspection — Working a correction notice and scheduling reinspection.
- Certificate of Occupancy vs Completion — Which close-out paper your project needs.
- Building Permit Appeal Letter Builder
Unpermitted Work
Fixing, disclosing or legalizing work done without a permit.
- What Happens If You Renovate Without a Permit? — Stop-work orders, fines, tear-out and insurance issues.
- Selling a House with Unpermitted Work — What buyers, inspectors and lenders ask.
- After-the-Fact Building Permit — How to legalize unpermitted work step by step.
- How to Check Building Permit History Before Buying — Reading open, expired and final permit statuses.
- Stop-Work Order on Your Remodel — What to do in the first 48 hours.
- Neighbor Reported Unpermitted Work — Code enforcement next steps after a complaint.
Zoning & HOA
Zoning, variances, HOAs and historic districts.
- HOA Approval vs City Building Permit — Why you often need both, and in what order.
- Zoning Variance for Setbacks — Hardship vs preference, and cheaper alternatives.
- Historic District Remodels — Certificate of Appropriateness vs building permit.
Rules change. Always confirm current requirements with your local building department before starting work.
