Ground-level patios often need no permit, but roofs, walls, fireplaces and electrical work usually do. Here is how to find out what your project needs.

It depends on the project and the place

Rules vary by city, county and neighborhood. A simple ground-level paver patio may need no permit, while a roof, a tall wall, a gas line or new electrical work almost always does.

Setbacks, easements and utility lines can limit where a structure can go, no matter what you are building.

Association approvals are separate

If you live in a neighborhood with an association, you may need approval for materials, colors and structures even when the city does not ask for a permit. Approvals often take a few weeks, so it helps to ask early.

A clear drawing and material samples make association review easier.

What a permit package usually includes

A site plan showing the house, the lot lines and the new work, plus drawings of any structure, with dimensions and materials. Some projects also need engineering for taller walls or heavier roofs.

We prepare these drawings and submit them for you, then answer reviewers’ questions.

Plan the schedule around approvals

Review times vary. Starting the design and the paperwork early keeps the building schedule moving, and a complete drawing set usually shortens the process.