| Most contractors don't like to hear the words building | | | | If you can't find the building department, you might |
| permits or building department. I seem to get the | | | | be able to find the planning department and these |
| jitters and break out in hives, every time someone | | | | people can usually help you or at least direct you to |
| wants me to go down and deal with my local build | | | | the build department. Sometimes the planning |
| department. I'm kidding of course, but it's not too far | | | | department is connected directly to the building |
| from the truth. | | | | department. |
| Do you need building permits? It all depends on which | | | | Here's something else you need to consider, if you |
| city or county that you live in. If you're doing minor | | | | live in a city and have a building department, |
| or major home remodeling, there's a good chance | | | | specifically for your city, you could actually be under |
| that you will need to get a permit. A long time ago, | | | | county jurisdictions. So in other words, if you call |
| you didn't need permits for something like changing | | | | your city build department, they can usually direct |
| out a water heater, today you do. | | | | you to the county builder department, if you live |
| It's easy to find out, whether you need building | | | | within their specific jurisdictions. |
| permits or not. You need to contact your local city or | | | | Once you reach the building department, they can |
| county offices. This can be done by looking in your | | | | help you answer any of your questions, and tell you, |
| phone book or even on the Internet. The first thing | | | | whether you need a building permit or not, for your |
| that you are going to be looking for is a city or | | | | particular remodeling or home repair project. |
| county builder department or planning department. | | | | |