While many people renovate their homes without the proper approval, this can cause problems down the line. A review by a trained professional can identify faulty work before it becomes a problem later on. Unauthorized work can come back to haunt a property owner when a home is reassessed or when it otherwise comes to the Town’s knowledge that work has been performed behind its back. Further, if you put your house on the market, your real estate agent is probably going to want to check that all necessary permits were pulled.
However, not every project requires local approval. Because each town has its own requirements, you’ll want to check with your Town’s Building Inspector before breaking out the hammer and saw.
Permit typically not required:
Generally, town permission is not required for ordinary repairs or replacements. “Ordinary repairs or replacements” means work which is typically associated with the normal maintenance of a property and which affects only its surface or finish characteristic. (If something is a “repair” or a “replacement”, then the item being repaired or replaced must already exist.) Here are some examples of work which may not need a permit:
- Certain types of retaining walls and walkways
- Painting and wallpapering
- Tiling
- Carpeting
- Hardwood floor installation
- Repairing or replacing cabinets and/or countertops
- Repairing or replacing windows and/or doors
- Exterior siding
- Reroofing
- Certain types of minor electrical work
- Certain types of minor plumbing work
- Insulating
Permit typically required:
New construction and general renovation work usually require a building permit. “General renovation work” is work which changes the overall size of a building (or portions of one). It can also involve creating rooms or spaces which did not previously exist. Further, an expansion of existing electrical, plumbing, mechanical or fire protection systems is considered general renovation. Here are some examples of work which will likely require a building permit:
- Kitchen renovations
- Bathroom renovations
- Additions of any size
- Enlarging existing structures, rooms, or spaces
- Creating new rooms or spaces within an existing structure
- Structural changes or repairs
- Demolition
- New structures, including sheds, pools, decks, garages, tree houses, and carports
These lists are not meant to be exhaustive. Again, be sure to check with your local authorities before beginning any work.
While the cost and effort required to pull a building permit may seem more punitive than helpful, the purpose of permitting is to ensure your safety and the safety of the public.
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