Building Department

Building Permit Guidelines

The International Residential Code (IRC) is quoted below to help you understand what would require a person to get a building permit:

“Any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, repair, alter, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.”  (R105.1)

This means the completion or finish of any basement, addition, hot tub, deck, pool, air conditioner, water heater change, furnace and/or addition of any electrical wiring, plumbing or heating requires a permit.  

There are some exemptions to this code, which are listed in Chapter 1 of the IRC (R105.2)

Inspections are required with any permit and varies as to each project; however, a final inspection is required to close out the project/permit. (R 109.1.6)

Permit fees vary according to each project.   Some are determined by valuation of the project and some by square footage being completed, size of structure or number of inspections needed.  

Most over the counter permits, (re-roofing, water heater, air conditioner, furnace etc.) are $60.60.

Single family home permits vary in price according to lot and house size, whether a basement will or will not be finished, whether there will be patio covers or decks.  Generally speaking, they can range from approximately $13,000 to $ 25,000, however not all new homes will fit in this category.  Larger lot sizes determine the impact fees being charged so if this fits your project please call and we can give an **estimate** of the permit cost.