Building Permit

What it means

A building permit is permission from the local government to do construction work on a property. The permit makes sure the work follows the building code and zoning rules — things like setbacks from the property line, height limits, and safe electrical and plumbing work. The owner applies at the local building department and pays a fee. An inspector checks the work during and after construction. Building without a permit can result in fines, a stop-work order, and being forced to tear down what was built. When selling a house, unpermitted work can cause problems with the buyer's inspection and insurance.

When you might hear this

This comes up when a homeowner wants to build something — an addition, a deck, a fence, a shed, or even finish a basement. Most construction projects need a permit from the local building department before work begins.

What to ask