How to Get a Building Permit for an Addition to Your Home

Before you start to build that addition onto your home, make sure you have secured the proper building permits required by your municipality. Dealing with the government can be frustrating, but you can reduce the level of frustration by following the tips below. Although no article can be definitive for every area of the country, following the steps here can at least help you prepare the necessary documentation.

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare scale drawings detailing the proposed addition to your home. Include on the drawing directional indicators (which way is "north"), as well as property lines and adjacent streets and/or alleys. Include the scale to which the drawing was drawn (for example: 1 inch equals 1 foot). Also prepare a rough estimate of the entire cost of the addition.
- 2
  Submit the drawings and cost estimates to the department in your municipality that governs planning and building. In cities and larger towns this will most likely be an office of the city government. In smaller towns and rural areas this may be an office of the county government. (Start with the department that issues licenses.)
- 3
  After you receive approval for the plans, submit proof of approval to the division of the department that governs building permits. You should receive an answer either way within two weeks.

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