Getting a permit requires more than just filling out forms and waiting, there are specific jurisdictional requirements in different parts of the country and from town to town. Our team, with over fifty years of combined experience, has built relationships in these jurisdictions, and has experience with the unique bureaucratic challenges in each city. After we apply for your permits, we follow up with the city, town, or county on a regular basis in order to ensure the process is running smoothly, and to address specific comments or questions.

The main reason you need a permit is that there have been laws passed requiring permitting in a certain place. Almost everywhere in the United States requires permits, with a few exceptions. In Arizona, every jurisdiction has some sort of permitting required.

In addition to the laws requiring permits, insurance companies may not insure properties without permits, and homes or structures built without a permit may be unsafe or less safe than if they were built with permits and inspected along the way.

The cost of a permit will depend on where and what you are planning to build. Many permit fees are a flat fee based upon the type of structure being proposed. In other cases, permit fees can be calculated based upon the valuation of a project (that is, at fair market rate, what it would cost for materials and labor to get the work done).

The International Building Code has a calculator that provides a good estimate for what a permit might cost, but there may be additional fees for zoning reviews, plan reviews, and impact fees, depending upon the jursidiction.

The timeline for getting a permit depends upon the scope of the project, and the level of review that is required for that project. Some permits can be issued when the application is dropped off, and some can take months. Hiring a permit expediter, such as Permit Pushers, can help you get your ducks in a row in order to make the process go smoother, and allow the reviewing departments to take a quicker glance at your project.

In most cases, a permit is valid for 180 days from issuance, but in many cases, can be extended by making progress and calling inspections. For some permits, an extension application may be required, which can also be handled by Permit Pushers.

In Arizona, septic permits last for two years, and cannot be extended.