Free permit guides for homeowners across all 50 US states. Find out the rules for your project before you start building.
Select a project to see permit requirements across all 50 states.
Deck
Raised platforms, attached or freestanding
Fence
Privacy, security, and pool fences
Shed
Storage sheds and outbuildings
Patio
Concrete, pavers, covered patios
Garage
Attached and detached garages
Pergola
Open slat roofs over patios and decks
Gazebo
Freestanding roofed garden structures
Other project
Pool, addition, ADU, or something else
Get a clear answer in three steps.
Choose your project
Deck, fence, shed, patio, or garage
Select your location
State and city-specific rules
Get your answer
Thresholds, fees, and how to apply
Permit rules for every project type in your state.
1,500+
Permit guides
50
States covered
255
Cities
2026
Updated for
A surveyor quoted me $650 and a three week wait for a site plan. For a drawing of my own backyard. Then I found PermitsGuide for $169. The form took maybe five minutes, and the finished plan was in my inbox the next day. Property lines, setbacks, my deck drawn exactly where I wanted it. Every single number the city reviewer needs. I submitted it. Permit approved on the first try. First try. And if the city rejects your plan, they fix it for free. Still rejected? Full refund. You cannot lose. Need a permit? Stop overthinking it. PermitsGuide.com
Plain-English answers to the questions homeowners ask about permits, inspections, and getting projects approved.
A plain-English guide to what a building permit actually is, when you need one, what it costs, how to apply, and what happens if you skip it.
Read article →Stop-work orders, fines, forced removal, and resale headaches. The real consequences of skipping a permit, and what to do if work was already done without one.
Read article →The process, the cost, and the honest reality of legalizing work that was already built. As-built drawings, destructive testing, and what to do when the code won't allow it.
Read article →Your permit application needs a site plan. We draw it from your property address. No site visit, no surveyor.
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