How to get a Residential Building Permit

In most cases, residential building permits are relatively easy to obtain. An application must be filled out; inspectors and zoning reviews must review and approve of the building project. Residential building permit requirements vary from state to state.

Instructions

1

Obtain an application for a building permit from your town or city hall.

2

Fill out the building permit and submit it to the town or city hall in person, via mail or via fax. Submit this application with the application fee.

3

Assess the type of construction project you will be undertaking. If the construction project involves an alteration of the house or home, an added deck, fence, driveway, shed, gazebo or patio or an entirely new house, a zoning review will be required. Zoning reviewers assess if the plot of land the resident owns is suitable for the building project.

4

Determine if your building project must be reviewed by a building official. Building projects must be reviewed in most cases, though fences, patios, gazebos and smaller sheds do not always have to be inspected.

5

Begin work within 120 days in order to keep the building permit.