Official sources are prioritized because residential permitting is jurisdiction-specific and changes over time.
Official starting points
- U.S. Census Bureau — Building Permits Survey methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — Permit-issuing place definitions
- International Code Council — U.S. codes by jurisdiction
- FEMA — Substantial improvement and substantial damage
- EPA — Septic system permit questions
- Department of Energy — Rooftop solar permitting and inspection
- National Park Service — Historic property FAQs
- FTC — Avoiding home-improvement scams
- California official source
- Texas official source
- Florida official source
- New York official source
- Pennsylvania official source
- Illinois official source
- Ohio official source
- Georgia official source
External official pages can change. Confirm the current page, forms and instructions before acting.
How sources are used
External sources establish broad frameworks and provide official starting points. Site pages paraphrase rather than reproduce lengthy government text. Local forms, fee schedules and written determinations remain authoritative.