Does this have to do with the cost of the project, or the type of working being performed?
There are many different situations which require a permit here in Los Angeles. The best way to be certian if you need a permit is to contact L.A.'s 311 for express permit information. That will be under building and safety. Here is a link to the examples they offer for express permits that do not need plans: http://ladbs.org/LADBSWeb/LADBS_Forms/InformationBulletins/IB-P-GI2011-003ExpressPermits.pdf
Building and Safety provides many permit services for the average home owner as well as contractors. Permits can be obtained at any of their Construction Service Centers or from their online permit service called e-permit. Depending on the complexity of your project, you may be able to get your permit the same day with Express Permit or e-permit. For a list of applicable permits click the link Express/e-permit Informational Bulletin. For more complex jobs, you may require plans to be reviewed by their Plan Check personnel. Click here for more information on Plan Check.
Permits are issued for many different types of work, including Building, Electrical and Plumbing just to name a few. If you have a specific question on whether the work you are performing requires a permit, please feel free to call Customer Call Center for further assistance. You can also check out Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to the most common questions.
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Definitely the type of work being performed. A good rule of thumb is- if there is any plumbing or electrical involved and/or if any structural framing or concrete is being added.
New roofs and major demo also require a permit.
Other entities may require a review as well like Home Owners Associations, Historical Society, (if the home is over 50 years old), and the EPA will be watching if the home was built before 1978 and lead based paint is present.
The best thing to do is to check with your cities building department and find out what there requirments are. Most cities will also have links on their websites that explain what type of projects and work require a permit. Most any project that involves a licensed contractor will more than likely need a building permit.
Permit requirements vary, depending on the location of the project - the city, town, or county in which the project occurs. Permits provide the town or city an opportunity to verify that a project meets planning and zoning rules, and they allow the city the opportunity to inspect the project for code compliance. Permits also provide the locale an opportunity (rare in California) to increase the assessment of the property for local taxation purposes.
Usually any structural change, or any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical change other than the replacement of an appiance or fixture requires a permit. Some locales publish a list of types of projects that don’t require permits; new flooring, painting, etc., are typical items. Some locales set a maximum value - $500 is a common number - for work that may be done without a permit. Some locales insist that any change must be permitted - even changing a light switch. And many locales require all exterior changes, except painting, to have permits.
In practice, the locales with even the strictest rules often have practices that differ from their written rules; they often don’t care about replacements of floors, cabinets, and other finishes. Most building departments are underfunded and overworked, and don’t have the resources to inspect the tile on your kitchen floor.
It’s usually very easy to find out what the permit requirements are - most towns and cities have their permitting requirements on-line, and the walk-in counters at local building departments are very helpful with permitting questions.
in the boston area, a permit is required for almost everything.
definately if there has to be structural work performed.
the easiest way would be to call your local building department or inspectional services department.
Most Construction requires permits but there are exceptions for example some cities do not require permits for concrete flat work while a very few do. Most cities have a building division unless you are in a un incorporated county area. either way you can contact your local city hall and direct you to the building division to answer you specific question.
Permits should always be pulled, you could be held liable for damage done to your property by unlicensed contractors. Check licensing before hiring.