Do You Need a Permit to Remodel Your House?

The last thing you probably want to do when you’re gearing up for a major overhaul in your house to create your dream home is stop and fill out paperwork with your building department. Unfortunately, that’s very often necessary. If you’re wondering if you need a permit to remodel your house, use this guide to determine when you’ll need one to make sure the work is legal and safe.

When Do You Need a Permit to Remodel Your House?

Individual municipalities set the rules and regulations for when you need a permit, but there are some rules of thumb you can use to get a good idea of whether or not you’ll need permits.

Structural Changes

Any structural changes to your home will require permits. This can include removing load-bearing walls, remodeling multiple rooms and the layout of your interior, updating the roof shape, adding a dormer, building a home addition, and much more.

Plumbing Work

Changes to your water and drain lines will require permits, so major updates to your plumbing system will require a trip to your local building department first. Popular remodeling projects like swapping out plumbing fixtures won’t require permits, but moving, installing, or taking out supply and drain lines will.

Electrical Work

Similarly, major electrical work will require permits. You can have an electrician change out fixtures and replace switches and outlets without a permit, but you’ll need one to install new outlets, relocate fixtures, install a new ceiling fan, or install solar panels.

HVAC Work

Your HVAC system is another major home system that works the same way. You can make minor changes without one, but rerouting ductwork, replacing your furnace, or installing a central AC condenser will need permits.

Costly Remodels

Many municipalities have a dollar amount above which you’ll need permits. The price varies, but $5,000 is a good baseline to assume you’ll need permits. With home remodel costs averaging over $52,000, most major projects will need permits. You can use our home renovation cost estimator to get an idea of how much your remodel will cost.

Neighborhood Impact

Projects that deal with zoning and can affect the homes around yours will need permits, like installing fences, putting up a shed, or putting in a pool.

Environmental Impact

Remodels that may have an impact on environmental safety will need permits in most municipalities. These can include changes to your water main or sewer main, installing, replacing, or making changes to your septic system, and relocating an exterior oil tank. In some areas, you’ll even need permits to remove trees.

Permanent Improvement

You’ll almost always need permits for permanent improvements to your property, which includes anything that acts as or requires a foundation. Paver patios, for example, would not require a permit, but a concrete patio or walkway or a pergola with concrete footings would.

Potentially Unsafe Changes

Finally, you’ll need permits for safety reasons for things like installing, removing, or making changes to chimneys, fireplaces, and wood-burning stoves. In these cases, permits help ensure the work is done properly and won’t increase your risk of fire.

How to Find Out If You Need a Permit for Your Remodel

While the guidelines above apply in most cases, you should always verify whether or not you need a permit when you’re planning a remodeling project. There are two ways to confirm:

• Ask your building department: Reach out to your local building department, describe the project you’re completing, and ask if you’ll need permits.

• Ask your contractor: Provided you hire a reputable home renovation company near you, you can rely on your pro to determine if you need permits for your remodel.

• Hire a renovation consultant: If you won’t be hiring a general contractor, hire a renovation consultant to determine which parts of your project will need permits.

What Happens If You Remodel Your Home Without a Permit?

Remodeling a home without a permit can lead to violations from your building department if they discover that you’re doing unpermitted work. Those violations typically come with fines, and you’ll then either need to permit the work retroactively or return your home to its previous condition.