Reference
Which home projects need a building permit?
13 project types, 148 counties and cities, 1561 rules read from the jurisdiction's own published code rather than summarized from a national model code. Start with your project below, then narrow to your state and county.
What the data says, project by project
Every line below is counted from the rules we read, not from a national summary.
- Do you need a deck permit?
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78 of 147 require one outright.
148 localities across 33 states · most common published threshold 30 inches
- Do you need an electrical permit?
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109 of 148 require one outright.
148 localities across 33 states
- Do you need a fence permit?
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36 require one, 92 depend on the job, 15 require none at all.
148 localities across 33 states · most common published threshold 7 feet
- Do you need an HVAC permit?
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110 of 148 require one outright.
148 localities across 33 states · most common published threshold 5 tons
- Do you need a patio permit?
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28 require one, 84 depend on the job, 9 require none at all.
148 localities across 33 states · most common published threshold 30 inches
- Do you need a plumbing permit?
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108 of 148 require one outright.
148 localities across 33 states · most common published threshold 20 linear feet
- Do you need a pool permit?
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88 of 147 make it depend on size or scope.
148 localities across 33 states · most common published threshold 24 inches
- Do you need a roof replacement permit?
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58 require one, 81 depend on the job, 6 require none at all.
148 localities across 33 states · most common published threshold 25 percent
- Do you need a shed permit?
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115 of 146 make it depend on size or scope.
148 localities across 33 states · most common published threshold 200 sq ft
- Do you need a solar permit?
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139 of 146 require one outright.
148 localities across 33 states · most common published threshold 3.5 lbs per sq ft
- Do you need a bathroom remodel permit?
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27 of 27 make it depend on size or scope.
27 localities across 12 states
- Do you need an EV charger permit?
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23 of 27 require one outright.
27 localities across 12 states
- Do you need a water heater permit?
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14 of 27 make it depend on size or scope.
27 localities across 12 states
Why these pages disagree with most permit guides
Most national guides state the International Residential Code figure and stop. Local governments amend it constantly. The model code's 200 square foot shed threshold is the number published by just 44 of the 116 jurisdictions that state one, 38 percent, and the rest run from 25 to 600 square feet. We publish the spread instead of the average, with each jurisdiction's own source next to its number.
How we verify every rule · What building permits cost · The full verdict landscape
Rules last verified .