Building Codes & Permits
The IRC, NEC and the rest in plain English - what needs a permit, inspections, and how code editions differ by state.
13 guides in this section
Guides in this section
How is a deck ledger supposed to be attached?
A deck ledger has to be positively attached to the house with the bolts or lag screws the code calls for, in the pattern the code calls for, with flashing to...
Do I need a permit?
If the work is structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or changes the building in any real way, assume you need a permit until your local building...
Does a bedroom need an egress window, and how big?
Yes, in almost all cases a bedroom needs an emergency escape and rescue opening, an egress window or door, and so do basements and habitable attics under the...
How to pull a building permit, step by step
Pulling a permit is a process you run with your local building department: you confirm you need one, get your plans and scope together, apply under your own...
How do I read a building code (and why can't I just memorize the numbers)?
Reading a code means finding the right book, the right adopted edition, the right chapter and section for your work, and then checking for local amendments...
Should I let the homeowner pull the permit to save money?
No. As the contractor doing the work, you should pull the permit yourself, under your own license. Whoever pulls the permit takes on legal responsibility for...
What is the code for stair rise, run, and railings?
Stairs and railings are governed by the stair and guard sections of the building code your jurisdiction adopted, and the ideas are consistent everywhere...
What happens if work was done without a permit?
Unpermitted work does not just disappear. It attaches to the property, so it follows the house to every future owner; it can block or shrink financing and...
What inspections does my job need, and in what order?
Most permitted jobs run through a set sequence of inspection gates: a foundation or footing inspection before concrete, a framing inspection before anything...
What is an ADU, and why is everyone suddenly building them?
An ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, is a second, self-contained home on a lot that already has a house, a granny flat, in-law suite, garage conversion, or...
Which building codes apply to my job?
Your job is governed by whichever model codes your city or county has formally adopted, plus their local amendments, at the edition they adopted. As a rough...
Why do jobs fail inspection, and how do I pass first time?
Most inspection failures are not exotic. They come from a short list of predictable causes: covering work before it was inspected, missing safety items like...
How do I work with the building inspector (the AHJ)?
Treat the building inspector as a professional whose read of the adopted code is final in the field, and the relationship gets a lot easier: know the code...