| "Do I need a building permit to do that?" is a | | | | 2. fences not more than 6 feet tall, |
| frequently asked question when people think about | | | | 3. retaining walls not more than 4 feet tall measured |
| building, remodeling, and home improvement projects. | | | | from the bottom of the footing to the top of the |
| You might be surprised how many construction | | | | wall and not supporting a surcharge [a vertical load in |
| projects require one, according to the International | | | | addition to and/or above the retained ground], |
| Residential Code. From a practical perspective, people | | | | 4. driveways and sidewalks, |
| do not obtain one when they should and building | | | | 5. painting, wallpapering, floor covering installation, |
| officials may not make an issue about this oversight. | | | | cabinet and countertop installation, and similar finish |
| But as inspectors know, work performed without | | | | work, |
| one is a common source of safety issues and costly | | | | 6. installation of portable plug and cord connected |
| repairs. | | | | electrical equipment, |
| You often need a building permit for: | | | | 7. installation of portable gas heating, cooking and |
| | | | clothes drying equipment, |
| 1. replacement of or major repairs to water heaters, | | | | 8. installation of portable HVAC equipment [such as |
| furnaces, air conditioners, gas and plumbing pipes, and | | | | window air conditioners], |
| similar components, | | | | 9. clearing of plumbing stoppages and repair of |
| 2. modifications or major repairs to the electrical | | | | plumbing leaks and removal and reinstallation of toilets |
| system such as adding or moving receptacles or | | | | if the repairs do not involve replacement or |
| lights, and adding new circuits, | | | | rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures. |
| 3. installation of new plumbing, electrical, and heating | | | | You usually do not need a building permit for routine |
| and air conditioning equipment and components, | | | | maintenance of existing buildings, fixtures, and |
| 4. replacement of building components such as roof | | | | equipment if the building structure is not affected and |
| coverings and exterior wall coverings, | | | | if the nature and use of the electrical, plumbing, gas |
| 5. construction of new buildings, | | | | or HVAC system is not changed. |
| 6. additions, structural modifications, and major | | | | A permit is a good investment, even though it costs |
| structural repairs to existing buildings, | | | | money and slows the project. It provides a |
| 7. movement and demolition of existing buildings, | | | | comparatively inexpensive way to ensure that the |
| 8. changes to building occupancy. | | | | project is inspected and it helps reduce your potential |
| A change to building occupancy means changing how | | | | liability if there is a defect that causes injury or |
| the building is used. Example: using a single family | | | | damage. The building official can require dismantling or |
| home as a place of business is a change in occupancy | | | | removing work performed without one. |
| that may require a building permit and may require a | | | | You should obtain a building permit when required. |
| zoning change or zoning waiver. | | | | Each jurisdiction has its own requirements, so contact |
| You may not need a building permit for: | | | | your local building official if your project requires one. |
| | | | Keep it with your home documents. It will be useful |
| 1. building or installation of one-story detached | | | | at the time of sale, should the purchaser have |
| accessory structures less than 200 square feet with | | | | questions about the quality/nature of the work |
| no utilities, | | | | performed. |