Official rules, plain English

Before You Build, Know the Rule.

Permit rules for roofing, HVAC, solar, fences and decks in ten US cities, each one checked against the permit office's own pages and backed by live permit records.

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95,727permits read from city open data

10 cities with verified rules

40 city and project pages

46 official sources cited

0 invented fees or figures

Start with Your Project

Each rule compared across all ten cities

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Most Searched

Roofing Permits by City

Whether a re-roof needs a permit depends on how much you replace and where you live.

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HVAC Permits by City

Furnace, AC and heat pump change-outs.

Solar Panel Permits by City

Rooftop PV, electrical review and utility steps.

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Fence Permits by City

Height limits, front yards and zoning.

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Deck Permits by City

Height, size and attachment triggers.

Choose Your City

10 Cities, 95,727 Permits in the Last 12 Months

Map of the 10 US cities covered, sized by permits issued SeattleLos AngelesAustinChicagoNashvilleOrlandoRaleighBaltimorePhiladelphiaNew York A white and brown wooden house among green trees
Busiest City

Los Angeles, CA

30,768 permits in 12 months. Start with Los Angeles HVAC Permits, the most issued project there.

West

South

Midwest

Northeast

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Guides Worth Reading First

All 25 Guides

A drafter working on architectural plans with a pencil and ruler Permit Basics

Work That Does Not Need a Building Permit: IRC R105.2 Exemptions

Which home projects do not need a building permit? The IRC R105.2 exemption list explained, with how Austin, Nashville and Philadelphia apply it and where cities differ.
  1. 02How Long Does a Building Permit Take? Real Timelines from 10 CitiesHow long does it take to get a building permit? Median days from application to issue for roof,…
  2. 03Selling a House with Unpermitted Work: Risks and OptionsSelling a house with unpermitted work? How buyers find it, what it can cost, and your options:…
  3. 04How Much Does a Building Permit Cost? Verified Fee ExamplesReal permit fees from official fee schedules: Chicago roof permits, Austin Express permits and…
  4. 05ADU Permit Requirements: What Homeowners Need to KnowADU permit requirements explained: what counts as an accessory dwelling unit, zoning and lot…
  5. 06How to Look Up Building Permits for a HouseFind a property's permit history using official open data portals in Chicago, NYC, Los Angeles,…
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How We Check Every Rule

  1. Read the official source. Every answer comes from the permit office's own pages, codes or fee tables, and links to them.
  2. Count real permits. Counts and timelines come straight from city open-data portals, refreshed October 30, 2026.
  3. Never guess. We are an independent publisher, not a government agency. Unverified details are labelled.
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