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What Is a Zoning Permit?
To get your building in the zone, you need a permit
Photo: The Good Brigade / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Photo: The Good Brigade / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Highlights
You need a zoning permit when building a new structure or adding to an existing structure or building.
Contractors will pull zoning permits for you, but you are ultimately responsible to make sure that happens.
The cost of a zoning permit depends on where you live, and the size of the land you want to build on.
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Whether you’re building a new home, adding on to your home, or adding any structures to your yard, you’ll need a zoning permit to ensure everything is done properly and legally. Read on to learn more about what a zoning permit is and what you need to know before you get one.
What Is a Zoning Permit and Why Do You Need One?
A zoning permit is a document provided by a local authority or local/municipal government that ensures your proposed construction complies with local laws. You need a zoning permit to make sure that the land you’re building on is equipped for the project so everything is done properly with safety precautions and the surrounding community in mind.
How Do You Get a Zoning Permit?
Photo: Hispanolistic / E+ / Getty Images
So, who is responsible for pulling permits? Ultimately, you are.
That being said, if you require a zoning permit you’re likely hiring a contractor, and they themselves will often pull the permit for you. Still, you should be on top of it and check in with the contractor you hire to make sure they’ve gotten it done before your project starts.
It’s important to look into general contractors near you and find someone who can see the vision of your project while also being responsible to ensure that legalities like zoning permits are taken care of.
The Cost of a Zoning Permit
The cost of a zoning permit will depend on where you live and how much land you are using to build on. Costs can range anywhere from $200 to $2,000. This is separate from the cost of a building permit, which focuses on the technical aspects of the building instead of the laws regarding land usage.
Zoning Permit Timelines
Once you know you’ll require a zoning permit, it’s best to get the process started. Luckily, getting a zoning permit typically takes less time than it takes to get a building permit, but it’s still smart to be proactive.
On average, it takes anywhere from 10 days to four weeks to obtain a zoning permit. This gives your local authority time to review the land and discuss your building plans with you. From that point, the zoning permit will last indefinitely, which is how long a building permit lasts as well.
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