Do I need a Permit?

Permits (and sometimes plans) are required to ensure that your repairs, additions, or alterations are done according to the County Codes and other applicable codes and regulations.

Project List

This information in the table below should be used as a guide to determine whether a permit may be required for projects you are seeking to begin. 

Please Note: In addition to the required building permit, additional permits may be required depending on the scope of work


 

Project Type
Basement Waterproofing

Procedure used to reduce water penetrating a basement of a structure. Waterproofing involves the application of materials and/or sealants; installation of drains and possibly a sump pump to collect, remove and/or redirect water away from a basement.

Permits Required
Carport

A roofed, open-sided accessory structure used to offer protection, usually to vehicles. The structure can either be free standing or attached to a primary structure. An approved building permit is required prior to starting work. 

Carports located outside of the Critical Area and served by public water and public sewer may be applied for and reviewed the same day. A carport located within the Critical Area and served by well and/or septic will be reviewed within 10 working days.

Permits Required
Cellular Antenna

A device used for transmitting, receiving, and supporting cellular telecommunications or personal communications service.

Permits Required
Cellular Tower

A tower constructed for or an existing structure that has been adapted for the location of transmission antennae or related equipment to be used in the provision of cellular telecommunications services or personal communications services.

Permits Required
Construction / Sales Trailer

A structure (trailer) used to accommodate temporary offices during the construction of new home development. Typically, trailers are equipped with telephone lines and electrical power. 

Permits Required
Deck

A deck is usually attached to a house and is considered an addition to a home. A building permit is required to be issued prior to starting work. Decks located outside of the Critical Area and served by public water and public sewer may be applied for and reviewed the same day. A deck located within the Critical Area and served by well and/or septic will be reviewed within 10 working days.

Permits Required
Fence

 An outdoor structure serving as an enclosure, a barrier, or a boundary, usually made of wood posts and stakes or chain/wire.

Permits Required
Finish Basement

Interior improvements made to convert a basement into a living area.

Permits Required
Fireplace

A permit is required for the installation of a fireplace. This includes the interior or exterior construction and/or alteration of the fireplace & chimney.

Permits Required
Garage (Attached)

A garage attached to a house or primary structure is considered an addition. A building permit is required to be issued prior to starting work.

 A garage located outside of the Critical Area and served by public water and public sewer may be applied for and reviewed the same day. A garage located within the Critical Area and served by well and/or septic is reviewed within 10 working days.

Permits Required
Garage (Detached)

A detached garage is considered an accessory structure. A building permit is required to be issued prior to starting work.

 A garage located outside of the Critical Area and served by public water and public sewer may be applied for and reviewed the same day. A garage located within the Critical Area and served by well and/or septic is reviewed within 10 working days.

Permits Required
Gazebo/Pergola

A gazebo is a pavilion structure, sometimes octagonal or turret-shaped, usually free- standing.

Permits Required
Hot Tub

A hot tub is a small pool full of heated water used for hydrotherapy, relaxation or pleasure also referred to as spas designed to be used by more than one person at a time. Hot tubs are usually located outdoors, although they can be installed indoors.

Permits Required
Interior Alteration

Altering in any way the interior space of a structure which includes demolition, addition, improvement or renovation of the structure. Interior alterations shall be built in accordance with County Building Codes.

Permits Required
Mobile Home

A mobile home is a prefabricated structure used as a permanent home. They are often permanently or semi-permanently stationed in one place, but can be moved from one site to another.

Permits Required
New Single Family Homes And New Rebuild

Demolition of existing and replacement of single family dwelling.

Permits Required
Non-Residential Addition

Improving or increasing the square footage of an existing commercial space. Additions to any building or structure shall comply with building requirements of County Code for new construction.

Permits Required
Non-Residential Alteration

Altering or renovating in any way the existing structure of a commercial building. Alterations or renovations to an existing building or structure shall be built in accordance with County Building Codes.

Permits Required
Non-Residential Bulkhead

A seawall or riprap revetment constructed along shorelines to control beach erosion. Construction materials commonly used include wood pilings, commercially developed vinyl products, large boulders stacked to form a wall, or a seawall built of concrete or another hard substance.

Permits Required
Non-Residential Demolition

The tearing-down of a Non-Residential building or other structure and related handling operations.

Permits Required
Non-Residential New Building

New construction of a structure to be used as a business.

Permits Required
Non-Residential Pool

A swimming pool available for public use. Operations and maintenance are provided by a private management company.

Permits Required
Non-Residential Rip Rap

Rock or other material used to protect shorelines against damaging wave action and help prevent erosion. 

Permits Required
Non-Residential Shell

A shell is a base building with minimum fixtures that allows tenants to build out the space to better fit their needs.

Permits Required
Non-Residential Solar

Solar cells are devices that convert light into electricity. A solar panel is a collection of solar cells. Solar panel installation requires a building and electrical permit before starting work.

Permits Required
Non-Residential Tent

Temporary shelter structure used for special events, fairs, weddings, etc.

Permits Required
Pier - Non-Residential

A raised structure typically supported by pilings that allows tides and currents to flow relatively unhindered.

Permits Required
Pier - Residential

A pier is a raised structure typically supported by pilings that allows tides and currents to flow relatively unhindered.

Permits Required
Pool / Spa

Extension of a swimming pool that contains heated water used for hydrotherapy or relaxation and designed to be used by more than one person at a time.

Permits Required
Porch

A porch is usually attached to a house and is considered an addition to a primary structure. A building permit is required to be issued prior to starting work. A porch located outside of the Critical Area and served by public water and public sewer may be applied for and reviewed the same day. A porch located within the Critical Area and served by well and/or septic will be reviewed within 10 working days.

Permits Required
Residential Bulkhead

A seawall or riprap revetment constructed along shorelines to control beach erosion. Construction materials commonly used include wood pilings, commercially developed vinyl products, large boulders stacked to form a wall, or a seawall built of concrete or another hard substance.

Permits Required
Residential Demolition

The tearing-down of a residential building or other structure and related handling operations.

Permits Required
Residential Rip Rap

Rock or other material used to protect shorelines against damaging wave action and help prevent erosion. 

Permits Required
Residential Solar

Solar cells are devices that convert light into electricity. A solar panel is a collection of solar cells. Solar panel installation requires a building and electrical permit before starting work.

Permits Required
Retaining Wall

Engineered walls designed to stabilize soil, earth on steep or unstable slopes. 

  • Retaining walls under 24" high do not require a permit.   
  • Retaining walls 24"-48" high require a building permit with construction plans.   
  • Higher than 48" require plans be signed and sealed by a structural engineer.   
Permits Required
Roof

Replacement of shingles only does not require a permit. Replacement of plywood and shingles requires a building permit. Replacement of trusses requires engineer stamped plans.

Permits Required
Shed (Attached)

A simple, one level roofed structure used for outside storage that is attached to the primary structure. An attached shed is considered an addition and a building permit is required. Electrical and plumbing permits may also be required.

Permits Required
Shed (Detached)

A simple one leveled roofed structure used for outside storage that is not attached to the primary structure.  Sheds that do not exceed 10 feet in height and have a floor area of 150 square feet or less does not require a building permit, except that permits are required for all sheds in the critical area.

Permits Required
Signs

Any writing, letter, or numeric work, pictorial presentation, illustration or decoration, emblem, device, symbol, trademark, flag, banner, pennant, or any other device, figure, or character utilized to advertise, announce, identify, or make known or attract attention. Portable, sandwich type, wind/revolving signs and signs that project or are attached to the roof of a structure are not permitted. A building permit is required for all other signs.

Permits Required
Single Family Dwelling Addition

Improving or increasing the square footage of an existing residential structure. Additions to any building or structure shall comply with building requirements of County Code for new construction.

Permits Required
Stove Insert

The installation of a stove insert into an existing fireplace.

Permits Required
Tenant Improvement

Improvement or renovation of whitebox space.

Permits Required
Waterfront Steps

Outdoor steps constructed to provide access to shoreline.

Permits Required
Whitebox

A whitebox improvement is an interior improvement that is minimally finished to provide new tenant space that can be built out and converted into a workable space. A whitebox does not include any improvements for a new tenant and excludes improvements for flooring, plumbing fixtures, interior walls, paint and wall coverings, electrical fixtures, furniture and other tenant specific equipment or office upgrades.

Permits Required