How to get a building permit to build your home

Most house plans include everything you need to build your home; however, additional items may be needed to obtain a building permit. Along with your house plans, you will need a site plan which shows the location of your house on the property, the property line, and the setbacks. Other items may or may not include a septic tank system design if your lot is not serviced by the city or county sewer system.

Depending on your region, you will need to insure your house plans are in compliance with local codes. Many areas have specific energy codes and/ or special engineering requirements that are to be followed. For instance, the westcoast region have very strict engineering requirements for areas prone to earthquakes. Coastal areas such as Florida, Gulf of Mexico, and along the southeast coast line are areas with high risk of hurricane activity requiring special engineering to withstand such risk. North east areas such as New York, New Jersey, Baltimore and surounding areas require a review and stamp by a local licensed professional such as an architect or engineer. Building in these areas, will likely require the need to hire a local licensed structural engineer to analyze the house plans and provide additional drawings and calculations required by your building department. The same is true even if you use a local residential designer. If you are unsure as to what is required in you area, check with your building department. They usually have some form of written instructions listing all of the items they require to submit for and receive a building permit.

Our house plans are not stamped. If your building department requires one, you will have to hire a local professional to review and stamp your house floor plans. Your building department will only accept a stamp from an engineer or architect licensed in the state where you plan to build your house plans.