Home Renovation 101: When Do You Need a Building Permit?

Do you need a permit to do that?

This question may not plague you if you’re merely painting walls or installing tile. It can be a question on your mind if you’re doing larger work, such as something structural, adding on, or major demolition.

Find out when to get a building permit and leave no room for doubt. You’ll make sure your home is safe and sound for all its residents, present and future. You’ll also avoid getting tangled up in legal issues should you ever move.

When to Get a Building Permit

In these cases, a building permit is almost always required, unless you live in a remote rural area. To avoid troubles, study up on your home renovation 101 before you get started. Local and state laws will vary, but to be on the safe side, assume most of these renovations require a permit:

1. Structural Changes or Modifications

If you’re adding another room to your existing structure, you need a permit. If you’re tearing down load-bearing walls, you need a permit. The same goes for changing the layout or footprint of your house.

2. Electrical and Plumbing

Are you adding new wiring or installing new circuits? You need a permit for that. Some plumbing jobs will require a permit, such as moving a sink, putting new hose bibs on your home’s exterior, or updating old plumbing.

3. Increasing Window Size

If you’re just replacing the windows, you’re okay. However, if you’re increasing the window size – i.e. they require a larger opening – you need a permit for that.

4. Adding a Fireplace

If you want to add a new fireplace or wood-burning stove to your interior, you need to get a permit. Technically, this is a structural change, albeit a small one.

5. Changing the Roofline, or Re-Roofing Entirely

Need a new roof? If you have to change structural elements like the pitch of your roof or skylights, or are adding heavier roof material, you need a permit.

6. Getting a New Water Heater or Furnace

Your water heater and your furnace effect how your entire house functions. You need to make sure these are installed properly and up to code, so, yes, you need a permit for new installations.

7. Decks and Fences Over a Certain Height

If you need to build a tall deck, or your new fence needs to tower over your property, you need a permit. Different communities will have varying specifications for the max height you can build to without a permit.

8. Demolition

If you’re doing a huge demolition and you need a corresponding gigantic dumpster parked in the street, you need a permit for that.

For Your Home Renovation or Remodel, Call the Permitting Office to Be Safe

If you’re still unsure whether you need a building permit, the safest route is to call up your local permitting office. An officer there should be happy to help you avoid code violations. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry – that’s home renovation 101. If you’re doing big-time renovation or demolition work yourself, get your ducks in a row first.