Adding a patio to your property is a great way to boost the value of your home and the amount of living space you have available. You are unaware of whether or not permission is required to enclose your patio. If you want to enclose your patio, do you need a permit?

Getting a permit taken care of at the beginning of your planning is important to ensure that you are not held up once you are ready to start your project. Even though the process of getting a permit won’t necessarily slow down your project if you do need one, it is important to get a permit taken care of.

Any decision to build a patio is undoubtedly preceded by a detailed perusal of available options, styles, and building plans. The more ambitious might contemplate pairing their new patio with a gazebo option based on their research.

Do I Need A Permit To Build A Patio? 

Adding a new dimension to your house can be accomplished by constructing outside living spaces like a patio. You can improve your home’s habitability in multiple ways by installing a deck or patio in the backyard. When it comes to home remodeling, the most important issue that most people have is whether or not they need a permit to install a patio.

It is not necessary to obtain a permit to construct an on-grade patio using any material, including concrete, brick, or other material. Building permit requirements vary widely in local governments, ranging from relaxed to stringent. In most cases and in most communities, a permit is not required to complete any outside work that involves the construction of a patio at grade level.   Patios and decks that are less than 30 inches above grade level are typically excluded from needing to obtain building permits.

If you want to create a patio cover yourself or have someone else do it for you, you might or might not need a building permit. Everything hinges on the location that you call home. For instance, in California, a building permit is required before the construction or modification of any permanent structure, such as a patio cover. It would be best if you noted that certain types of patio cover might be restricted in one neighborhood and permitted in another. 

The requirements for obtaining a building permit vary not just by state but also by county and, in many cases, by the municipality within a county. A property owner on one corner of an intersection may need a permit, while a property owner on the other will not. This scenario arises when two properties are located on opposite corners of an intersection, and municipal boundaries run directly through the intersection.

A quick call to your local building permit authority will confirm your local codes and requirements. It is in your best interest to double verify before beginning any work so that you do not find out later that you are required to destroy it because you did not have the proper permits. Before you start the construction, there are a few other things you need to consider. If you want to have the patio or deck of your dreams, a little preparation will go a long way.

Alterations to the structure of a building require a building permit. Land-use zoning difficulties may arise as a result of alterations made to the outside of the house. There could be site-specific concerns that arise in some regions, which would then lead to restrictions. Before presuming that no permits are required for the patio or the building activities related to it, check the codes that govern your area.

Almost every county government has a webpage that explains the building permit process, and the application procedure is simple.

Is a Concrete Patio More Likely to Need a Permit than a Deck?

No, the requirements for acquiring a building permit are not contingent on the size of the completed patio or any other external considerations, such as whether or not you live in an area that is subject to environmental protection regulations. 

In most cases, a permit is not necessary to install a deck or a concrete patio because these additions do not modify the structure of the house. If there were excavation concerns, however, there is one scenario in which a concrete patio could be required to have a permit while a wooden deck might not be.

When a community has a building code and zoning laws, it’s possible that certain kinds of patio covers are allowed in one neighborhood but not in another. 

Whose Responsibility Is a Permit?

You won’t typically require a lawyer unless your undertaking is exceptionally difficult, and even then, it might not be necessary very often. In most instances, all that is required of you is to fill out a form, pay the associated charge, and provide the information that an official from the permitting agency requires.

Suppose you are going to do it yourself and you are going to use a kit. In that case, the engineering specs should be available with the information from the manufacturer that is sent with the kit, or you may get them from the manufacturer. You might find it on the website of the company. It is essential to purchase a good that will conform to the norms of the area.

A final thing to remember about permits is that inspections are typically required for any activity that requires a permit. In most cases, this entails conducting one random inspection. At the same time, work is being done, followed by a final inspection, with the goal to verify that the finished work satisfies all of the requirements specified by the local code.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip a Permit for Your Patio Enclosure

You could be tempted to create your new enclosure without informing anyone about it to keep it a secret from the people in your town; however, this is not a very good plan. First, if there is a problem at your property that is the result of improper or unpermitted work, your homeowner’s insurance policy could be canceled.

If you choose to ignore the code requirements, you put yourself in danger of getting hurt in the event that the structure collapses because it was built incorrectly. 

If the local government discovers that work has been done on your property without the appropriate permits, they may instruct you to remove it. If you ever decide to sell your house in the future, having work done on it without first obtaining a permit could cause you a lot of trouble during the home inspection that the buyer would have to perform.

In addition, the Contractor State License Board (CSLB) has the authority to issue penalties to contractors who violate the law. These penalties can include civil penalty assessments of up to $5,000 per violation, an order of correction requiring the payment of permit costs, and any assessed fines levied by the local building department, as well as any further penalties that may be deemed necessary, as well as license suspension or revocation.

Read more: 8 Cheap Patio Flooring Ideas to Choose From

Get in Touch with Paragon Remodeling to Learn More about Whether You Need a Permit to Build a Covered Patio

In conclusion, it is best to err on the side of caution and follow the building codes when constructing a covered patio. Bypassing these codes can lead to potential injuries in the event of an incorrect build, so it is important to make sure that you understand what is required before starting any construction project. For more information on whether or not you need a permit to build a covered patio, please visit our website or contact your local building inspector.