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We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

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The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. SHARE: Jessie Casson/Getty Images October 27, 2022 Mia Taylor is a contributor to Bankrate and an award-winning journalist who has two decades of experience and worked as a staff reporter or contributor for some of the nation's leading newspapers and websites including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the San Diego Union-Tribune, TheStreet, MSN and Credit.com. Michele Petry is a senior editor for Bankrate, leading the site’s real estate content. Bankrate logo

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At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. Bankrate logo

The Bankrate promise

Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions an individual will ever make. Our real estate reporters and editors focus on educating consumers about this life-changing transaction and how to navigate the complex and ever-changing housing market. From finding an agent to closing and beyond, our goal is to help you feel confident that you're making the best, and smartest, real estate deal possible. Bankrate logo

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Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo

How we make money

You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. If you’re building a new house or undertaking a major renovation project, you’re probably familiar with the concept of building permits. This type of authorization form is often needed before a construction project can begin. Moving, demolishing or converting a structure also may require a building permit — its purpose is to ensure the project adheres to safe building practices and local codes and regulations.

What is a building permit

A building permit is a document issued by a local government when an individual or company wants to build a new structure, or engage in construction on an existing structure for expansion or repair. When you file an application for a building permit, the corresponding government agency reviews the application to make sure the proposed changes comply with all federal, state and local zoning laws, land use standards and construction ordinances. Building permits also allow officials to ensure the proposed project complies with accessibility standards and any other applicable legal requirements. While each municipality has its own unique set of laws, the permit issuer will typically ensure the proposed construction does not cause problems with: Structural integrity Fire resistance Proper exiting Health concerns Water and sewer lines Extension of electrical service Industrial waste The applicant may also need to obtain permits to cover other aspects of the construction, including electrical, mechanical, plumbing, concrete or development. Obtaining a building permit for your project typically means that a code-enforcement inspector from your local municipality will visit the project site to ensure the work complies with all building codes and standards. In many places, if you do not go through the process of obtaining a building permit, you will face fines. And if you have major work done on your home without obtaining the necessary permits, not only are you violating the law, but you may also run into difficulties when you’re ready to sell.

When a building permit is needed

Whether or not a project requires a building permit varies based on the project and the local zoning and construction laws. New-construction builds will almost always need permitting, but not all projects require one. Simple or purely cosmetic , for example, can often be done by a contractor without going through the permitting process. In cases where the project includes additions or significant changes to a building’s structure or mechanical systems, though, a permit will usually be required. Typical situations when a building permit is required include: Constructing a new home or business on a vacant lot Building a garage, barn, large shed or other similar structure on a residential lot where a home already exists Adding a large swimming pool (usually over 5,000 gallons) to a residential lot Enclosing a property in a fence over six feet high Expanding an existing home or business Demolishing an existing home or business Moving a fully constructed home, business or other large building to a vacant lot Adding large commercial or industrial signs to a property Adding plumbing or electricity to a home or business Installing a fireplace in a home or business Adding a deck or porch to a home Adding or removing walls from a home or business Finishing a basement Large excavation projects Adding new windows to a home or business when it is necessary to change the size of the frames If your project requires permitting, be aware that . The fee you’ll need to pay can range significantly based on a variety of factors, including the location of the project and the project itself. Building permit fees can range from as little as $50 to $2,000 or more. In cases where work is being completed by a contractor, the application will typically be handled by the professionals. However, if you are doing work on your own, it is your responsibility to find out whether a permit is needed and file an application if it is.

Bottom line

Building permits allow local governments to ensure that construction and renovation work is completed in accordance with federal, state and local codes and ordinances. Not all projects require a permit; whether or not you need one can depend on the location, size and scope of the work being done. If you’re not sure whether your project requires a permit or not, consult with your contractor or ask your local department of buildings. SHARE: Mia Taylor is a contributor to Bankrate and an award-winning journalist who has two decades of experience and worked as a staff reporter or contributor for some of the nation's leading newspapers and websites including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the San Diego Union-Tribune, TheStreet, MSN and Credit.com. Michele Petry is a senior editor for Bankrate, leading the site’s real estate content.

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