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What is a Building Permit?

A Building Permit gives you legal permission to start construction of a building project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications

When Do You Need a Permit?

The best way to find out if you need a permit is to find the Work Exempt from Permits Form; or you can call us to discuss your plans before beginning construction.

Permits are usually required for the following:

New Buildings
Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc.)
Residential Work (Decks, garages, fireplaces, pools, sheds, etc.)
Renovations (Basement, Attic or Garage conversions, kitchen expansions, etc.)
Electrical Systems
Plumbing Systems (water heaters, gas lines etc.)
HVAC/Mechanical (Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning, Furnace/Boiler) Systems

Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the adopted codes, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. If you decide to sell a home or building that has modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, open up finished work or leave it unoccupied, or make costly repairs.

A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met, as demonstrated by a code official’s carefully maintained records, has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.

Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety and welfare. By following code requirements, the completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends or future owners.