Search Building Permits Records

Before building a new house, renovating a property, or demolishing a building, you need a building permit. These permits ensure that the work complies with local building codes, zoning laws, and safety standards to keep property owners and visitors safe. Property buyers may want to ensure that proper permits were pulled to perform recent renovations before purchasing. Luckily, building permits are public records.

Throughout the process, you may need to check on building permits, determine their status, and follow up with city/town officials. Instead of visiting the town/city building offices every few days, you can use PropertyChecker to find the building permit public records that you need instantly!

How to Search Building Permits by Address, Name, or Phone Number

A building permit is a license to hire a contractor, renovate, or build a structure yourself. Many things require a permit, such as electrical work, plumbing, HVAC systems, roofs, and foundation work. Towns and cities issue these permits after the property owner applies, provides proper documentation (blueprints, materials list, contractor licenses, etc.), and pays the application fee. Throughout the process, the building inspector will also inspect the work to ensure it complies with local building codes.

Typically, the city building department issues building permits, but in some cases, it is the development department, highway department, and even the fire department. These permits are required for any significant building project that radically changes the structure or infrastructure of the building. If a building owner fails to get a permit, they can be fined, the work may have to be redone, and the city can even take legal action against them.

Most cities have an online portal where homeowners can apply for building permits and look up building permits by address. These websites also allow you to check the status of your permit and even schedule your inspection.

Use the city-provided permit website or a third-party commercial tool like PropertyChecker to search using the property address, owner’s name, or phone number (when available). Not all government databases will be updated timely, so verify any information you receive.

Finding building permits is part of the due diligence process when buying real estate. You want to ensure that any work done on the house was done correctly, with the proper permits, and that it adhered to safety codes.

Types of Property Building Permits

Depending on the state and city, you will find many different types of building permits. Each municipality determines what kinds of work require a permit and designates different permits for various projects. Below is an example of some of the types of building permits you may find.

• Building Permits: These permits are for beginning the new construction of a home or commercial building.
• Multifamily Permits: Typically used for apartments, these can be used for new construction or to combine individual apartments into single units.
• Residential Permits: Before renovating a residential home, the homeowner or contractor must obtain a residential permit before starting the project.
• Commercial Permits: Sometimes, a special commercial permit is required for any structure that is not a residential home.
• Mechanical Permits: When mechanical work is required, the building owner must first obtain a mechanical building permit. Projects involving HVAC, heating, cooling, or ventilation fall under this category.
• Plumbing Permits: Plumbing projects of all sizes require plumbing permits.
• Electrical Permits: Before electrical work can be done, the electrician or building owner must obtain an electrical permit. Lighting fixtures, outlets, and electrical panels fall under this category.
• Demolition Permits: You must have a demolition building permit before demolishing an existing structure.
• Zoning Permits: Zoning permits determine how the owner can use a piece of land or property.
• Trade Permits: Certain trades need building permits before doing any work.
• Site Permits: A site permit allows the landowner to begin any construction on the land.

Some states and local government offices require permits for things like pools, fences, sheds, driveway paving, and other smaller projects. Always check with your local building office before starting work.

Access Building Permits, Property Records, and More Data

Whether you are the property owner yourself or an interested party (realty professional, prospective buyer/investor, etc.), you can instantly access many data points surrounding building permits, such as:

• Applicant’s Name
• Permit Status
• Fees Paid
• Effective Date
• Permit Number
• Detailed Description of the Work to Be Done
• And Much More!

Never again will you need to make multiple trips to the city or town hall to obtain the permit records for a specific property! Use PropertyChecker to save valuable time and money and access the data you need online.

Frequently Asked Questions