Homeowner Permit Guides
Every guide is written from official city and state sources, linked at the end of each article.
Compare Rules Across Cities
Roof Replacement Permit Rules in 10 US Cities
Does a re-roof need a permit? Compare official roof replacement rules for Chicago, NYC, Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Nashville, Raleigh and Orlando.
HVAC Replacement Permit Rules in 10 US Cities
Replacing an AC, furnace or heat pump? See which cities require a mechanical permit, who can pull it, and the official source for each rule.
Fence Permit Height Limits Compared Across 9 Cities
How tall can a fence be before you need a permit? Official no-permit fence heights for Chicago, Austin, Seattle, Philadelphia, Orlando, Raleigh, Nashville and more.
When a Deck Needs a Permit: Height and Size Rules by City
Deck permit thresholds compared: Philadelphia 12 inches, Seattle 18 inches, Austin 30 inches and 200 sq ft, plus Chicago, Nashville, Raleigh and Baltimore rules.
Solar Panel Permit Rules for Homeowners
Rooftop solar needs a permit in every city we track. See size limits for fast-track permits, licensing rules and official sources for Chicago, NYC, Seattle, Austin and more.
City Permit Programs
Chicago Express Permit Program Explained
Which Chicago home projects qualify for an Express Permit: reroofing, HVAC replacement, fences, porches and decks, and small solar. Official requirements and 2026 roof fees.
Philadelphia EZ Permits: Home Projects That Need No Plans
Philadelphia L&I EZ permits cover roof covering replacement, decks up to 216 sq ft and mechanical work without drawings. What qualifies and when zoning also applies.
North Carolina's $40,000 Permit Exemption Explained
G.S. 160D-1110(c) lets NC homeowners skip a building permit for many projects under $40,000. What it covers, what it excludes (HVAC, electrical, structural) and how Raleigh applies it.
Orlando Roof Permit Process: Notice of Commencement and Owner-Builder Steps
How a residential roof permit works in the City of Orlando: owner-builder declaration, Notice of Commencement over $5,000, dry-in inspection and the final affidavit.
Austin's Residential Change-Out Permit for HVAC
Replacing central air, a packaged unit or a mini-split in Austin requires a Residential Change-Out permit from a licensed mechanical contractor. What it covers and what is exempt.
Seattle STFI Permits for Decks
Seattle issues most residential deck permits as same-day Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI) permits. When a deck needs one and what counts toward lot coverage.
LADBS Express Permits for Re-Roofs and A/C Replacement
Los Angeles issues re-roofs, same-size A/C replacements and smaller furnaces as Express Permits with no plan check. Cool-roof and fire-zone requirements explained.
NYC Work That May Not Need a DOB Permit (1 RCNY 101-14)
What New York City's rule 1 RCNY §101-14 exempts from DOB permits for homeowners: roof coverings above the deck, small packaged A/C units, and what still needs a permit.
Permit Basics
What Happens If You Build Without a Permit?
What happens if you build without a permit: stop work orders, fines (Seattle: up to $500 a day), extra fees under IRC R108.6, problems selling, and how to legalize work.
How to Look Up Building Permits for a House
Find a property's permit history using official open data portals in Chicago, NYC, Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Nashville, Raleigh and Orlando.
How to Read a Building Permit Record
Issue date, application date, work description, valuation and fee: what each field in a city building permit record means and what it does not tell you.
How Much Does a Building Permit Cost? Verified Fee Examples
Real permit fees from official fee schedules: Chicago roof permits, Austin Express permits and Baltimore HVAC permits, plus how to find your own city's fee.
Hiring a Licensed Contractor: Permit Rules That Depend on Licensing
In several cities only licensed contractors can pull certain permits: Chicago roofing, Baltimore HVAC, Austin change-outs, Seattle refrigeration and NYC solar. What to check before you sign.
Work That Does Not Need a Building Permit: IRC R105.2 Exemptions
Which home projects do not need a building permit? The IRC R105.2 exemption list explained, with how Austin, Nashville and Philadelphia apply it and where cities differ.
How Long Does a Building Permit Take? Real Timelines From 10 Cities
How long does it take to get a building permit? Median days from application to issue for roof, HVAC, solar, fence and deck permits in 15 US cities, from official records.
Selling a House With Unpermitted Work: Risks and Options
Selling a house with unpermitted work? How buyers find it, what it can cost, and your options: disclose, legalize with a retroactive permit, or remove it. Official sources cited.
ADU Permit Requirements: What Homeowners Need to Know
ADU permit requirements explained: what counts as an accessory dwelling unit, zoning and lot rules, fire separation, addresses and fees, with official examples from Seattle, Austin and California.
Do You Need a Permit for Window Replacement?
Do you need a permit to replace windows? Same-size replacements are often exempt, but changing the opening, egress windows and historic districts usually need one. City rules cited.
Building Permit Inspections: What Inspectors Check and When
What happens at a building permit inspection? The usual inspection stages, what inspectors check, how to schedule and pass, and why the final inspection matters. IRC R109 explained.
How Long Is a Building Permit Good for? Permit Expiration Rules
How long is a building permit valid? The IRC 180-day rule, how Philadelphia and other cities set expiration, how to get an extension, and what an expired permit means.