All municipalities are different, but in general, any improvements that modify a home's structure, roofing, electrical and plumbing systems, and heating and cooling systems require permits. Many jurisdictions have permit requirements for work that exceeds a certain amount of money.

There may be more permit requirements depending on where you live, but here ar💃e the basics of the permitting p♋rocess and some significant projects that usually require a permit.

The Permitting Process

Local municipalities issue permits based on city ordinances. Since there are no federal or state standards, bu⛦ild♌ing codes vary by city and county. The only way to know if you need a permit for a project is to contact the office.

If you hire a licensed contractor, they should know whether the job requires a permit, but as the homeowner, it's your responsibility to ensure that all remodeling is completed lawfully. Don't assume the permits were handled by the contractor.

Some municipalities charge a percentage of the total construction costs to issue the permit, and it may take several weeks to complete the required inspections. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), failing to obtain the proper permits may stop or stall the renovations you have planned, or complicate or cancel the sale of your home.

You must prove that you pulled the proper permits if you have a home inspection or appraisal done. If you put your house up for sale, there's a very good chance that the lending bank won't advance the loan if it learns that remodeling work was done without securing permits. There's also the added hassle of paying fines or—even worse—having to tear down and redo the work.

Renovations That Likely Need a Permit

Building permits are often divided into categories, including those allotted for electrical, mechanical, and structural changes or new construction work. Before you apply for these, you should have plans drawn up that comply with local codes and ordinances. That's because some renovations will alter the structure of your property, and regulators want to ensure that your property will be able to supporﷺt the work you p🗹lan to do.

There's a very good chance that you need a permit if you plan to make major changes to your home's footprint. This includes things like more rooms, decking, garages, some sheds, and others, such as:

• Fences: Not all fences require a permit, but municipalities often place height restrictions on non-permitted fences. The city of Chicago, for example, requires a permit for a fence five feet or higher, while other cities allow for higher structures.
• New windows: Replacing an existing window doesn't usually require a permit, but cutting a hole for a new window generally does. This includes skylights and new doors.
• Plumbing and electrical: A permit is probably required if you're installing new or removing existing plumbing. Any job that includes installing a new electrical service to your home also requires a permit. Even something as simple as moving an outlet requires a permit.
• Siding: Most municipalities require a permit for siding projects.
• Water heater: You need a permit to replace your water heater. You may also need a permit for ventilation system changes.
• Total cost: Some municipalities require a permit if renovations or construction projects cost more than a certain amount—usually $5,000 or more.

How Do I Get a Permit?

Permits are usually issued through your municipality's permitting office. Depending on the project's complexity, some permits are issued immediately, while others may require inspection of the plans.

During the renovation process, inspections will be required. Multiple inspe🔯ctions may be required for projects involving home additions. Once the work is complete, a final inspection occurs, and the project can conclude.

Renovations That Don't Require a Permit

There are some things you can do to your home without going through the process of getting a permit. The majority of them are fairly minor—most of which you can 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:do yourself without having to hire ꦰand pay for a contractor. Here are a few of the projects 🐼that may not require a permit:

• Painting or wallpapering
• Installing hardwood floors or carpeting
• Minor electrical repairs that don't involve adding new or moving existing service
• Installing new countertops
• Replacing a faucet

The Bottom Line

Most large projects that involve major changes to the structure of your home require a permit. Because each municipality has different rules, it's essential to check your city's website or call for clarification. Regardless of who does the work, the homeowner's responsibility is to ensure that the project holds the proper permits.