Permit directory
Permit rules by state, county and city
Start with the permit type or the place. Each page names the offices that may be involved, what to prepare, and the official sources behind it — then hands the address-specific answer to a permit check.
Published directory: Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Maryland
Counties are published for Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Maryland. The other 8 states carry statewide project basics and an address check.
Every permit, explained by place
Building Permit
Required for new construction, major renovations, additions, and structural alterations
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical work including wiring, circuits, panels, and electrical installations
Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing work including water supply, drainage, fixtures, and gas lines
Mechanical Permit
Required for HVAC systems, furnaces, air conditioning, and ventilation work
Demolition Permit
Required for demolishing or removing structures, including partial demolition
Accessory Structure Permit
Required for detached garages, sheds, barns, and other accessory buildings
Swimming Pool / Hot Tub Permit
Required for in-ground and above-ground pools, hot tubs, and spas
Roof Replacement Permit
Required for roof replacement, re-roofing, and major roof repairs
Fence / Wall Permit
Required for fences, walls, and other property boundary structures
Certificate of Occupancy
Official authorization for an identified use or occupancy after applicable approvals, inspections, and closeout requirements
Rezoning Application / Zoning Map Amendment
Application to change the zoning classification of a property
Variance Application
Request for relief from a specific zoning standard under the jurisdiction's applicable variance criteria
Special Exception / Conditional Use Permit
Discretionary approval for a use the ordinance lists as eligible subject to applicable standards and conditions
Site Plan Review Application
Review of proposed development layout, parking, landscaping, and site design
Preliminary Subdivision / Development Plan
Application to divide land into multiple lots or develop a planned community
Short-Term Rental Registration
Local or state authorization that may use registration, licensing, zoning approval, or a combination for short-term rental operation
Right-of-Way Permit
Permit for work within public right-of-way, including encroachment and utility work
Floodplain Development Permit
Required for development in designated floodplain areas
Stormwater / Erosion Control Permit
Required for stormwater management and erosion control measures
Excavation / Trenching Permit
Required for excavation, trenching, and underground utility installation
Select your state
A dot marks the states with county and local-government pages behind them.
GovCodex publishes a state page only where it has something real to say. Nothing here is a determination for a specific property.
Find the office that issues your permit
Municipal permit authority index
Browse every city, village, town and township with a published permit guide, state by state.
Permit guides by state
Statewide code regime, the counties beneath it, and a searchable index of local governments.
Local permit guides
Long-form guidance for the places where the rules and the issuing authority differ from the statewide pattern.
Skip the directory — check your exact address
Tell GovCodex your project and location. You get the permit list, the offices that issue each approval, and the sources behind them for your parcel.
Do I need a permit for a 6 ft fence in my back yard?