How many permits to build a house

Guidelines often address common challenges for homeowners in the area that arise due to the local climate. Building requirements for a home in Colorado or Minnesota would likely require roofing specifications related to the weight of heavy snow—that's why we offer an option to increase roof thickness for heavy snow loads. Likewise, Florida permits would focus on building codes addressing hurricane winds—which are less of a threat when you build one of our hurricane proof house kits.

In addition to a general building permit, your project may require permits and inspections for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, grading and drainage, and wrecking, if you happen to be razing an existing structure on an infill lot. Start by doing some initial research online.

Many of the agencies responsible for issuing building permits have websites with pages for frequently asked questions FAQs that outline the permit application and approval process step-by-step.

Some even offer online applications to make the process more convenient and efficient. After reviewing the information online, schedule a meeting with a representative from the permit office. Ask lots of questions and take notes. To build your home kit, some of the potential permits that may be required include the following:. The building code representative should tell you about other project reviews or permits needed.

Reviews or permits may be required from these agencies:. Larger metro areas may have multiple jurisdictions managing home construction.

Large cities within a county also may require additional permits and may have zoning ordinances. In larger metro areas, a building permit for a new home could add several thousand dollars to your budget. Some agencies base the cost of your permit on the completed value of the home, or its square footage. Over time, neighborhoods have adopted reasonable regulations called setbacks to create an essential structure for safety, privacy, and environmental protection.

Imagine a street with a home built right on the front property line—that would create a safety issue. As you evaluate lots and compare them with the dimensions of kit home models from Mighty Small Homes, you must know these setbacks for the property you want to buy in order to be sure the home will fit. Related to setbacks, you must also consider any potential easements.

While you may own the property where you plan to build your home, there may be areas of your land that another person or entity has the right to use without having ownership.

Utility easements are one of the most common types. The cable, electric, or water company will have access to service utilities that run through your property because of easements written into the property deed. Easements are typically reasonable limitations on property ownership. Your property deed and survey will include easements for the land. There are almost a dozen types of easements.

If you are unsure of the type of easement, or otherwise have concerns about them, consult with an attorney that focuses on land rights. When considering a lot in a subdivision, ask for the deed restrictions and other information from the homeowner association covenants. Older neighborhoods often enforce rules that help maintain the historic character of the area.

Building on an urban infill lot in one of these neighborhoods can make a lot of sense. Fees are based on the value of your project. You pay approximately 75 percent of your fee when you submit your plans and the rest when you pick up your permit.

Use our fee estimator to estimate how much your permit will cost. We will also charge hourly fees for certain reviews, such as drainage and geotechnical; see the Fee Subtitle for details.

The time it takes to get your permit depends on how complex your project is, how many corrections you need to make to your plans, and how quickly and completely you respond to plan review comments. We try to finish our initial review of a simple building such as a typical new home in about 2 weeks. If the building is large or structurally complex, our initial review will take about 8 weeks.

Get your property information. Find property information to help you plan your project. Determine restrictions to your project. Research Stormwater Code requirements. We may require a drainage review of your project. You need to determine whether stormwater requirements apply to your project to submit a complete and accurate application. Find incentives for your project. Research the City's different incentives that might apply to your project.

Attend a coaching session. Due to COVID safety precautions, our counters are closed and we are not currently offering free coaching. Start your application.

You will need to upload a site plan and a complete legal description for your site. You'll receive an email once we have added the pre-application site visit PASV fees to your project. All new single family or duplex projects require a PASV. After you have paid the fee, we will perform the inspection. Your preliminary application materials will be sent to other departments for their review and comment. Review your preliminary application report.

You will receive a preliminary application report that will include critical information about whether you need Design Review, SEPA, or street improvements. Our report will include information from the utilities about your specific site and proposal.

Codes tend to reflect regional issues. For example, in Florida, building codes often focus on safety considerations caused by humidity and heat.

In rural regions prone to forest fires, the building code might include strict fireproofing requirements. The projects most likely to require a permit are those that change the structure or use of a building or have the potential to create unsafe working conditions. For example, you will likely need a building permit to:. In addition to obtaining a building permit, depending on the scope of your project, you might need to obtain special system permits, such as electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits.

For example, you might need to obtain a plumbing permit if you plan to install an underground lawn sprinkler. Or, you may need a mechanical permit to install a central air conditioning unit. The only way to determine whether your project needs a permit is to consult your city building and permit office. Most have information online that you may review. They are also accustomed to addressing questions by phone and in-person, so don't hesitate to reach out to find the answers you need.

If you hired a contractor for your project, it is customary for the contractor to arrange for; or, in contractor lingo, "pull" the permit. This is a good idea because typically the person who pulls the permit is responsible for construction following the code. If you pull the permit, you will be considered the contractor at least in the eyes of the city and liable if there is a construction problem. Contractors are also often familiar with the process and the city's inspectors. The contractor's preexisting relationship with the city can work to your benefit.

On the other hand, if your contractor is charging by the hour, you might save money by completing the permit paperwork and submitting it yourself. The scope and complexity of your project will help you decide the best way to work with the city and obtain a permit. If your project requires a permit, get a permit. If you are working with a contractor who suggests skipping this step, consider moving on to another contractor. As cumbersome as the process can be, it will be better than dealing with the city if it finds out you should, but don't have a permit.

The city might force you to obtain a permit and could double or triple the permitting fees. It may also shut down your project or require you to tear down your work for example, remove a wall to see what's behind it if there is a question as to whether the work was done according to code. The worst thing would be if this were to happen when you're in the middle of trying to sell your house, which is when such issues often come to light.

Unpermitted construction can lower your home's value, and you might even need to bring it up to code as a condition of the sale.