Is a Permit Required to Finish Out an Attic?

Preparation

• Before applying to your municipality for a permit, you need to inspect your attic to ensure that it's suitable for using as a living space. Many modern homes were built with roof trusses, triangular framing members that take up a significant amount of space. Finishing an attic that has trusses instead of rafters might be prohibitively expensive. You also may need an engineer to determine if the floor joists will support the weight of the remodeled attic and its contents.

Code

• Permits generally require that construction brings the attic in compliance with the latest International Residence Code, or IRC. Most local building codes use the IRC as a model. The IRC requires that attics used as living spaces have a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet over at least 35 square feet. The finished attic must also have at least 70 feet of square footage at least 5 feet high.

Plans

• You may need to to submit various types of plans to the building department and have them approved before obtaining your permit. A site plan shows such things as property lines and the distance between houses and property lines. An architectural plan will show the dimensions of the room you plan to remodel and indicate the placement of features such as stairs and smoke alarms. A structural plan highlights the wall, floor and ceiling framing. You will probably want a professional to create any necessary plans or diagrams.

Safety

• You may also need to show officials that various safety features will be present in your attic to obtain a remodeling permit. For instance, the 2009 IRC requires that a habitable attic have a vertical means of access to the story below. This means you may need to put in a fixed stairway. A smoke alarm is also required for finished attics, according to the IRC code. Check with your local building department to determine its specific regulations.