What da ya mean I need a permit?
This is a village list on what type of home repairs or modifications need a building permit.
| Addition | New Construction |
| Air Conditioner | New Tenant - Condo Conversion |
| Alterations - Basement, Bathroom, Kitchen | Patio |
| Antenna | Plumbing - Miscellaneous #3 |
| Deck, Balcony, Porch | Roof |
| Demolition | Retaining Wall |
| Drain Tile/Drainage | Sewer Repair |
| Driveway/Repair | Shed |
| Electrical - Miscellaneous #4 | Siding |
| Fence | Sidewalk/Stoops |
| Fireplace | Swimming Pool |
| Foundation/Repair | Underground Sprinkler |
| Furnace #2 | Water Heater #1 |
| Garage - Attached and Detached | |
| Gazebo/Greenhouse/Pergola | |
| Natural Area Landscaping |
Let's talk about the most abused installations in this list:
If you are planning to install a new water heater you MUST have a village permit. Why? So that the venting & plumbing are installed correctly so that you don't kill yourself in your sleep from carbon monoxide. This has to be the Number 1 Problem that we find in home inspections - venting that is not at the proper angle or it's vented totally incorrectly with back drafting. If you've said to yourself - 'It's ok if I just move the vent piping this way a little bit because it looks better' - you are part of the problem! Get a permit!
Issue #2 - Your AC or furnace blows up and the HVAC person handles the new install. You really should have gotten a permit despite what the technician said. They just don't want to take the time to do it for you or they are not licensed with the village you are living in.
Issue #3 - Miscellaneous plumbing issues that you 'think' you are handy with. Such as installing a new toilet without a wax ring and saying 'I don't need that damn thing, it's only 2 bucks. The old one looks good'. So now, you've got a problem! You need a permit because, yes, you do need a new wax ring when you remove the toilet. Now before you say, they'll never catch me, the building code inspectors just might be driving by your home on garbage day and notice an old toilet sitting by the curb. Hmmm, I'm sure the toilet didn't take a leisurely walk outside so you'll get busted that way. I've seen it happen to my 
neighbor.
Issue #3A - You've installed a new dishwasher and decided to plumb with PVC another unknown right turn for? For what? You are not making a jungle gym for your kids hamster! You want to be sure that your kitchen and dishwasher drain correctly so your whole family stays healthy! 
Issue #4 - You've decided to install all new GFI outlets in the kitchen or bathroom - only you've wired them incorrectly and they don't work! Yikes! This is just wrong! Hire someone that knows what they are doing. Life can get just 'too exciting' when you do your own electrical work.
Great blog Lyn's and great tips for Sellers as well. This is worth reblogging. Thanks! :)
Lyn, Great reasons the average d-i-y homeowner MIGHT not take in to account as to why they need a permit or a professional (or both!).
Boy Lyn,
Who would have thought that a permit is needed for a new toilet! Even a new heating system? I am considering getting a new boiler as my house has the original which is 50 years old. I interviewed 4 companies and not one of them said anything about a permit.....
WOW! Talk about Big Brother! We need permits for some of the heavy duty things, but IMO this list is a bit over the top. Getting a permit for a new toilet doesn't mean teh do it yourselfer or any other person is going to put a new wax ring in. Sounds like a great money maker for the village to me!
Bill: Might seem so but we have many varieties of multi-family scenarios where the 2nd floor unit owner does not take care of their plumbing, etc & causes many problems.
Empire: I would check with your village if I were you to be sure. Flexible gas connections were legal many years ago but are no longer, etc.
Liz & Bill: DIY should have another acronym sometimes.
Working in the new construction field, I see the seller updates done by "make do home repairs" brother-in-law or handy-man without a license, and have to just shake my head.
If it's not a honey doo then it may be best to hire a professional or at least have someone check it. This is good information.
Perhaps D'OH!!! ?
Steve: I like the 'I'm going to hire so & so because they're handy'. Warning!
My husbands a builder so many of these I am familiar with. But I believe you forgot the one that we need a permit to breathe, or is it that they will tax the air we breathe. lol