ABA Family Legal Guide

Home Ownership

Remodeling

Troubleshooting the Project

Who should obtain building permits and when should they do it?

To find out whether you will need building permits, contact your local building department. Some municipalities require permits for just about anything; others require permits for only major remodeling projects. The person who takes out the permit is considered liable for the work, so follow the usual custom of having the architect or the contractor obtain it. As a homeowner, you don't want to be responsible if the work doesn't conform to standards or codes, but you need to know which permits are required and make sure they are obtained.