How to Get a Building Permit
The permit process looks intimidating from the outside, but it is the same seven steps in nearly every US city. Most of the mystery disappears once you know which office to call, which permit type matches your project, and what the reviewers are actually looking for. This guide walks the whole process, with the practical details that first-timers usually learn the hard way.
Getting a building permit follows seven steps: (1) find your local permit office, (2) identify the right permit type, (3) prepare plans and documents, (4) submit the application, (5) pass plan review, (6) pay the fees, and (7) schedule inspections as work progresses, ending with a final inspection and approval. Simple trade permits can issue same day; projects needing plan review typically take 1 to 6 weeks.
Step 1: Find your permit office
Permits are issued by the city or county where the property sits, not where you live. If the property is inside city limits, that is the city building department; outside city limits, it is usually the county. The office names vary: Department of Buildings, Building and Safety, Development Services, Permits and Inspections. Our lookup covers 48 US metros with links to each official office, which is the fastest way to land on the right page.
Step 2: Identify the right permit type
Permit offices sort work into types. A building permit covers structural work: new construction, additions, alterations, demolition. Trade permits cover single disciplines: electrical, plumbing, mechanical (HVAC). A bathroom remodel often needs a building permit plus plumbing and electrical trade permits. Many cities also offer over-the-counter permits for simple, pre-defined jobs like water heater swaps. Picking the right type matters because each has its own application and fee; the office's website usually has a "which permit do I need" page, or you can call and ask.
Step 3: Prepare your plans and documents
This is where applications stall. Typical requirements include a site plan showing the property, setbacks, and the project location; floor plans showing existing and proposed layouts; elevations for exterior work; and structural details for anything load-bearing. Simple projects may only need a sketch with dimensions; complex ones need engineered drawings. Most offices publish a submittal checklist per permit type. Use it as your packing list. Also gather the property owner's authorization if you are not the owner, and your contractor's license number if one is required.
Step 4: Submit the application
Most cities now accept online applications through a permit portal; some still take paper at the counter. The application asks for the property address, the scope of work, the declared project valuation, and the applicant's contact information. Be specific about scope: "remodel bathroom, relocate plumbing, new electrical" processes faster than "renovations." Pay the application fee at submission; it is usually small and often credited toward the final permit fee.
Step 5: Pass plan review
For projects that need it, your plans circulate through reviewers: structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, zoning, and fire as applicable. Each can issue corrections. Respond to correction letters quickly and completely, addressing every item, because partial responses start another round. First submissions with complete plans routinely clear in 2 to 6 weeks for residential work; each correction round adds time.
Step 6: Pay the fees and pick up the permit
Once review clears, you pay the balance: the permit fee, plan review fee, and any trade permit fees. Post the permit card at the job site where it is visible from the street; inspectors check for it, and in cities like Richmond the rule is explicit that no work starts until the permit is posted. Keep a copy of the approved plans on site too, because the inspector compares the work to the stamped set.
Step 7: Schedule inspections as work progresses
Do not schedule all inspections at the end. The standard sequence is rough-in (plumbing, electrical, and framing checked before walls close), then insulation where applicable, then final when everything is finished and working. Most offices need 24 to 48 hours notice per inspection. If an inspection fails, fix the noted items and re-schedule; re-inspection fees of $50 to $150 are common. The final inspection sign-off, sometimes issued as a certificate of completion or occupancy, is the finish line. Keep it with your house records; buyers and insurers ask for it.
Homeowner vs. contractor: who should apply?
In most cities, a homeowner can pull permits for their own owner-occupied single-family home. Doing it yourself saves the markup some contractors add, but you own the responsibility: the work must meet code and you must schedule inspections. If you hire a contractor, the permit should be in the contractor's name or list them as the responsible party, and you should verify the permit was actually issued before work starts. A contractor who asks you to pull the permit "to save money" while they do the work is a red flag in many jurisdictions.
Tips from people who do this daily
Call the office before you apply and describe your project in one sentence; staff will tell you the permit type and the submittal checklist in two minutes. Apply in the off-season if your schedule allows. Never start work before the permit is issued. And keep every document: the application, the stamped plans, the inspection cards, and the final sign-off. That folder is worth real money when you sell.
This is general information about the typical permit process, not legal advice. Each city's process has its own quirks, so confirm the details with your local office before you apply.
Find your local permit office
Step one is finding the right office, and that is exactly what our tool does. Our free lookup shows the official permit office for 48 US metros and each office's own published rules, so you start with the source instead of a guess.
Getting a building permit: common questions
Where do I get a building permit?
From the building department of the city or county where the property is located. If the property is inside city limits, that is the city's building department; outside city limits, it is usually the county. Our free lookup links the official permit office for 48 US metros.
What plans do I need for a building permit?
It depends on the project, but typical requirements include a site plan, floor plans, elevations, and structural details for load-bearing work. Simple jobs may need only a dimensioned sketch, while additions and new construction need engineered drawings. Your office's submittal checklist for your permit type is the exact list to follow.
Whose responsibility is it to get a building permit?
The property owner is ultimately responsible, even when a contractor does the work. In practice, the contractor usually pulls the permit in their name. If you are the owner, verify the permit was issued before work starts; an unpermitted project is your liability regardless of who swung the hammer.
How much does it cost to get a building permit?
Residential permits typically run $150 to $2,000: small trade permits $50 to $150, remodels $200 to $800, additions $500 to $2,000. The total includes the permit fee, plan review, and separate trade permits. See our full guide to building permit costs for a breakdown by project type.
Can I apply for a building permit online?
In most US cities, yes. Online permit portals are now the norm for application, document upload, fee payment, and inspection scheduling. Some smaller jurisdictions still require in-person applications, so check your office's website or call ahead.