Types Of Home Renovations That Require Permits Before Starting

Renovating a home is a complex project, even if you aren't the one doing the physical labor. Making plans, finding materials, and hiring certified professionals are just a few of the necessary tasks. If you want things to go smoothly legally, one of the most important steps is also getting the right permits from your municipality.

More extensive and expensive renovation projects almost always require a permit, especially when dealing with a home's foundation, structure, electrical wiring, or plumbing lines. Every city and county in every state has different rules and regulations when it comes to building. As a result, acquiring permits is a tailored experience. Some areas are stricter when it comes to building permits, while others are more lenient. You have to pay for the permits, and there are often additional costs, like application fees, base fees, and inspection fees. Ultimately, the homeowner or property owner is the one responsible for getting the permits. Skipping this essential step could lead to fines, lost insurance, liability issues, and orders to tear down all your hard work.

Budgeting for these fees and accounting for the time it takes to process them greatly impacts the total cost and timeline of a remodeling project. Therefore it's essential that you know what projects are likely to need permits ahead of time. Below are 13 home improvement projects that usually require permits. Read on to learn why these permits exist, what kind of projects they cover, and how much they can cost.

Lanais, patios, and porches are beautiful house additions that give you a place to enjoy nature without leaving your home. Laying stone and building a cover for shade without permission may seem inconsequential. Patios over 150 to 200 square feet that aren't supported by a preexisting wall almost always need a permit. A permanent patio cover that extends your roofline and a preexisting foundation also need consent because they're regarded as roofing projects. Even adding a permanent screen to a preexisting porch can require approval. Scattered paver stones, temporary gazebos, and detached patio covers are sometimes exceptions, though some states also request licenses for pavers.

Cities demand inspections and permits for additional buildings because the construction can impact more than your own household. Building a permanent foundation disrupts the ground and could cause flooding or push soil into neighbors' yards. Building an extended roof without inspection could cause the roof to fail, put people in danger, and not be covered by insurance. A patio permit usually costs up to $500, depending on how complex and large your build is. Of course, that price can rise if you need to change wiring or make other major changes.

Many build single-story sheds for storage, a workshop, or an oasis away from the main house. They are simple structures, usually just a single room, but you still may need approval to build one. Some municipalities allow sheds smaller than 8 feet tall and 120 square feet of space, but others require a permit even though you might not have to follow standard building codes.

Shed permits are necessary for many of the same reasons permits for lanais, patios, and porches are. The local government needs to ensure the building is stable and not intruding on other people's property. These permits are even stricter in states with environmentally sensitive land and extreme storms. An unauthorized building could impede drainage and cause flooding, and if it isn't properly anchored into the ground, it could get swept away in a storm.

The base price for getting approved for a shed starts at around $50, but the average cost is around $150. Fortunately, if the shed is small enough, some cities won't charge you for a permit. Build smaller and consider other money-saving tips for building a shed to make the whole project more budget-friendly. Remember that other fees may add up if you intend to wire electricity or add plumbing. All the aforementioned rules also apply to pre-built sheds, such as the ones sold at The Home Depot.

Fences add aesthetic appeal and security to your home. They can increase property value, too, but only if you build them to code. In many cases, fence permits are necessary for builds over 6 feet high or ones that are made of concrete, masonry, or stone. These are some of the most expensive types of fence materials, and requisite permitting can add to the cost. Urban areas are more likely to request permits because people generally live in close quarters with others and have less space. If you decide to hire a professional fencing company, they may include filing for permits as part of their services and save you the headache.

Like most permits, fencing guidelines exist for a reason. Cities call for permits to ensure people don't accidentally build fences over other property lines. It's also to ensure tall fences don't obstruct views of the road for drivers or pedestrians. Unapproved heavy-duty fences, such as those made of brick or concrete, can impact the environment by blocking water runoff after heavy storms or obstructing local wildlife's efforts to reach food and shelter.

Fencing permits cost between $40 and $150 on average. This doesn't include the potential application fee. Adding security features or an automatic gate also increases costs since you'll have to pay for more inspections regarding electrical work and fire safety.

Replacing one window or an inside door won't always need a permit. However, replacing several windows and exterior doors could be story. And adding completely new doors, garage doors, and windows will definitely incur a fee. In short, you must apply for a permit if you're cutting holes in walls.

Cities micromanage door and window work for safety reasons. Bedrooms and living spaces need to have ventilation and light, and bedrooms specifically need an emergency exit in case of a fire. A door must lead directly outside, and a window must be large enough for a person to climb through. Inspections and permits are necessary so homeowners don't accidentally or intentionally remove these features.

Replacing more than a couple of doors or windows is never good for your wallet; most cities sell permits individually. Each door or window permit costs around $50 to $100. Some cities have a cap on permit costs, so you won't have to pay such an exorbitant amount to replace multiple windows. If your city doesn't have a maximum limit, you could be out hundreds in permit fees.

If there's one home improvement project you don't want to cut corners on, it's your roofing. Cities impose roof permits for any permanent roof work, from replacing the rooftop itself to adding skylights or solar panels. Typically, repairing or replacing more than 100 square feet or 25% of your roof requires city permission. Only maintenance and repairs are exempt, unless you have to make major structural changes to carry them out.

Roofing isn't a DIY project. It's dangerous and difficult and needs to be done right to protect laborers and all people within the construction area. Roof permits are provided with inspections that ensure new roof materials, skylights, and solar panels can be installed without damaging the building. City approval makes this work safer and protects homeowners if anything goes wrong during or after the process.

Roof permit prices are hard to gauge because they're highly dependent on the cost, size, and type of project. Replacements cost around $150 to $500, while repairs cost about $70 to $250. Skylight permits range from $50 to $500. Solar panels are a bit more complicated, and you need at least two permits for the electrical hookups and roof work, which cost a minimum of $300. Many roofing contractors will go through the trouble of applying for and getting the roof permit for you. They typically charge for this service and the permit itself, but it spares you the stress of having to handle it yourself.

Building off the side of your home indisputably requires a permit. You also need a permit to convert interior spaces, such as garages or patios, into a new living space. There is no way to legally add square footage to your home without filling out an application. This is some of the biggest construction work you can do.

Building room additions, adding interior walls, or tearing down walls affects the structure of a home. Without inspection or city approval, structures can be compromised or not built to code. In other cases, building off the side of your house impacts the environment and could affect neighboring properties, similar to adding an outdoor area or shed. Due to both of these factors, permits are necessary to ensure work is done correctly and safely.

Permit prices are based on project costs. Most cities request $5 to $21 for every $1,000 you spend on the project. Therefore, if you add a room for $20,000, expect to pay at least $100 just for the construction permit. This doesn't include other necessary permits for gas hookups, roofing, wiring, and plumbing.

Homeowners usually have working air conditioner units and hot water heaters for decades before needing to replace them. When the time comes to swap an old model out for a new one, permits are often necessary. You also may need a license if you alter or upgrade the device, such as changing fuel types, adjusting capacity, or moving it to another room. Legal permission is again usually necessary to add additional AC units or hot water heaters.

These units need permits because certain models may not meet updated building codes. They must be inspected to ensure the electrical, plumbing, and ventilation hookups are set up correctly. These appliances are commonplace in modern-day homes. Still, most people don't understand how they function. The necessary professional installation and routine upkeep make them requisite of a permit.

Permits for altering AC units or hot water heaters usually cost between $50 and $500. Acquiring permits for installing completely new units is much more expensive; around $250 to $1,500. Because this work is handled by professionals, they usually offer to acquire permits for you in return for a small fee.

It takes more than a few helpful tips to keep a backyard pool renovation on budget. Above-ground and in-ground pools need permits. Some homeowners associations (HOAs) and cities require fencing around pools, meaning you might need even more permits. In-ground hot tubs are in a similar boat, though you may get by without a permit if you buy a small, portable version.

Applying for a permit before building a pool or hot tub is extremely important because they have so many safety regulations. Many states require hot tubs to have safety barriers and locking covers. They also need to be a certain distance from property and power lines. Installing a pool without permission is even more serious than undermining your HOA (HOAs often have rules against pool installations). Without authorization and inspections, it could be a safety hazard in the long run.

Pool permit prices vary. Many cities charge you based on the project cost, the same as they do for other large home improvement projects. These permits are usually a few hundred dollars. According to other sources, they can run between $100 to $300. Smaller, portable above-ground pools and hot tubs may not incur any fees. If you do have to get a permit, keep in mind these prices don't include electricity, fences, plumbing, and other possible costs.

Widening or adding a driveway or walkway doesn't seem like a big change, but your city needs to know about it in most cases. The only times you don't need a permit is if you're using porous materials to make the path or if your property is already connected to a public driveway apron. Repairs don't normally need a permit, but most locations need to know if you're pouring concrete and additional foundation on your property.

Even a few feet of concrete greatly impacts the environment, especially if you live on land prone to flooding. The more natural soil you cover up, the less earth there is to absorb water, which can have detrimental results for you and your neighbors' property. When you pour concrete, you also displace soil. This soil can end up on public streets or in neighbors' yards, which is a huge issue if you don't get an inspection or permit beforehand. In short, cities grant permits after ensuring building on your land is safe and won't disturb properties around you.

Expect to pay between $50 to $200 for a concrete driveway or walkway. This price may go even higher if your estimated project cost is a few thousand dollars. Many municipalities charge more for large-scale projects and ask for a percentage of the project rather than a flat fee.

There are several things to keep in mind before adding a fireplace to your home. You can't just install gas and wood-burning fireplaces anywhere; you need to attach them to a chimney or venting system. Even if you choose a ventless gas fireplace, you must connect it to a gas line. In either case, you need a permit and a licensed technician to perform the installation. If you want to avoid all the fees, permits, and renovation work, electric fireplaces don't need a permit. Just keep in mind there are hidden downsides to having fake fireplaces at home.

As you might imagine, an improperly installed traditional or gas fireplace can pose a potential fire hazard. Your municipality needs to make sure your home can support a fireplace insert and provide proper ventilation while it's in use. Skipping the permits and inspections puts you at risk of a slew of problems: chimney failure, carbon monoxide leaks, and house fires.

The good news is that getting approved for a fireplace insert only takes about a day. However, if you have to make changes to your gas lines, you're looking at a couple of weeks. Fireplace permits cost between $100 and $400, and gas line permits start at $50 and go up from there.

Don't fret if a natural disaster is en route — putting temporary storm shutters up before a natural disaster is allowed. They just have to be taken down within 30 days of an extreme storm. But cities and counties aren't so lenient when it comes to permanent storm shutter installations. Accordion, Bahama, colonial, and roll-up or roll-down shutters require a permit beforehand.

You need city approval because they are a permanent alteration to a house. Official permission is necessary to ensure a home is safe and eligible for insurance if the shutters fail. Without a permit, insurance companies can deny claims, making unauthorized shutters almost as dangerous as an impending storm.

Many counties charge for a storm shutter permit based on the project's total cost. Non-electric shutters usually start at $75 and go up after the project exceeds $1,000. If you're installing electrical shutters, an electrical permit may also be necessary. These permits are about a $50 base fee on average.

Finishing or renovating a basement is no different than an aboveground home improvement project — it requires all the same permits. This can get confusing because the rules around basement construction are more complex. Retroactive permits are doable, but you still need an inspection beforehand. If the basement is "finished" and has a combination of drywall, electricity, flooring, plumbing lines, heating and cooling systems, and appliances, you must get a permit as soon as possible.

A permit is necessary because this is a major home renovation project. There are usually multiple permits involved because there are many aspects that need to be done to code. Skipping a permit could lead to a compromised foundation that damages your basement and the home above it. If damage occurs and there's no permit on record, insurance companies can deny your claims, leaving you in a financial and physical mess.

There's a wide range as to how much it actually costs to renovate a basement. Retroactive permits are much more expensive and cost at least $2,000 on average. On the other hand, a standard building permit for basement refinishing should be between $200 and $1,000. This doesn't include additional permit costs for any of the other aforementioned work that goes into a finished basement.

Bathrooms and kitchens are among the most complicated rooms in a home. They have multiple electrical and plumbing appliances that you must hook up to electric, gas, plumbing, and ventilation lines and pipes correctly. Unless a home improvement project is solely cosmetic, you will need multiple permits to alter these interior spaces. Building, electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and sewer line permits may also be mandatory.

Bathroom or kitchen remodeling requires many permits because sloppy renovation work is dangerous. A home quickly becomes unsafe if you put appliances in unventilated areas, accidentally demolish support walls, or tamper with the electrical and plumbing systems. On another note, it becomes harder to sell your home later without proof of inspections, which in turn, lowers home value.

Bathroom remodel permits usually cost $200 to $800. Kitchen permits are slightly more expensive, ranging from $500 to $1,500. If your project goes over a certain monetary amount, some counties and cities will charge you a percentage of the total construction cost. You also have to account for other fees if you intend to move major appliances around or make significant layout changes.