What permits do I need?
Pick your project and your city below. We’ll match it against that city’s own published permit types — fees, timelines, and sources included — never a guess.
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Frequently asked questions
- How do you decide which permits my project needs?
- Each project type (finishing a basement, installing solar panels, replacing a roof, adding an ADU) is broken into the trades it typically touches. For your chosen city, we match those trades against that city's own published list of permit types — the same records used throughout the rest of the site. We never invent a permit that isn't actually published.
- What if my project needs more than the answer shown?
- This tool gives you a starting point based on a project's typical scope, not a substitute for the building department's own review. Answer the follow-up questions honestly, and confirm your specific plans with the department before you submit — final requirements always come down to your project's actual scope.
- What if my city doesn't publish a permit that matches?
- When a city doesn't publish a permit covering part of your project, we say so plainly instead of guessing — you'll see an honest note telling you to contact the department directly, rather than a fabricated answer.
- Which project types can I check right now?
- Finishing a basement, installing solar panels, replacing a roof, and adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). We're planning to add more project types over time.