Permit checker: do I need a permit?
Choose your state, city and project to see the city’s own rule, quoted, with the office to call.
How the checker answers
- It shows the city’s own rule for the project, quoted from the city’s code or handout, with the date we checked it.
- “Depends” means the city exempts work below a limit (height, area, depth or value) and requires a permit above it; the limit and its conditions are in the quote.
- If a project is exempt from a building permit but the city still requires zoning approval, the checker says so.
- If we have not verified a rule for that city and project, it says so and gives you the department to call. It never fills the gap with another city’s rule or the model code.
Cities and projects covered
| City | Projects with a verified rule |
|---|
| New York City, NY | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Chicago, IL | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Houston, TX | Fence, Deck, Roof, Pool |
|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| San Antonio, TX | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| San Diego, CA | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Dallas, TX | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Jacksonville, FL | Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Fort Worth, TX | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| San Jose, CA | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Charlotte, NC | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Columbus, OH | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| San Francisco, CA | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Seattle, WA | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Denver, CO | Fence, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
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| Oklahoma City, OK | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
| Austin, TX | Fence, Deck, Shed, Roof, Pool, Water Heater |
|---|
For every other city we cover, the checker gives the building department and links to the city page. For places we do not cover yet, the state page explains who issues permits.