If you are planning to build a home in the United States, you should know that you will require a building permit to make any changes legally and thus avoid future problems.

The process is based on the approval of the city, since each State has its own regulatory code, which is in charge of regulating life in the neighborhoods and making your stay in them safer and more pleasant.

What is a building permit?

It is an official document that supports the start of a residential construction, as well as any renovation. Each state, county, city, and town have their own jurisdiction and therefore have different parameters regarding the issuance of permits, as well as fees related to the type of construction or renovation.

The Board of Permits and Inspections or the Building and Zoning Board are in charge of reviewing building plans and determining, once the regulatory fees have been made, whether or not they can issue the permit. The agency then goes to the construction site to make sure the owner is following the code.

There are two types of permit for residential and commercial buildings in construction, renovations, additions and eliminations of spaces.

Why do I need a permit?

Issues such as public safety, uniform construction quality, health, and property valuation are some of the reasons why official permits are needed. This has been organized like this, since poorly constructed buildings, with inadequate wiring or plumbing, can end up being a danger to the owner and the neighbors.

These conditions will undoubtedly lead to imminent risks of fires, collapses or illnesses due to improperly installed pipes, among other effects. Therefore, permits are issued only to those who meet all the construction requirements established in each code, according to the needs of each neighborhood.

Keep in mind that it was created with your safety and that of your community in mind.

How do you know if you need a permit?

This depends on your local building code, but in general we can tell you that urban and suburban areas usually require more permits than rural areas. However, we offer you a list of cases in which permission is necessary.

• New Construction: Construction of a new residence always requires a permit. Within this category, we also find the construction of guest houses, storage buildings, gazebos and garages. 

In many locations, a permit is required for special construction such as privacy screens and fences, as long as they are set in concrete.

• New rooms or conversions: Here we include not only new bedrooms, but also sunrooms, patios and porches.

Even if your intention is only to close the garage, since it is considered an addition, since the heated space of the house increases.

• Major Renovations: Anything from restoring a very old home to remodeling a bathroom or kitchen are considered major renovations and therefore require a permit.

On many occasions the opposite is thought, but you should know that carrying out renovations without official permits causes problems for the owners. Don't let it happen to you!

• Structural Alterations: This involves changes to the structure of a residence, either by adding or removing walls, as well as refinishing spaces in the basement and attic.

The demolition of a structure is also included in this section. This is important, because you cannot demolish a wall or structure of vital importance for the support of a house, since it can entail dangers if it is not carried out correctly.

• Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Work: These three aspects house within them a large amount of potential renovation and construction work, many of which may require a permit.

Some examples of this are exterior lighting, garage door replacement, hot tub installation, or home automation systems, among others.

On the other hand, the approximate costs for construction permits will always depend on the type of construction work to be carried out, as well as its complexities.