Free Permit GuidesBuilding permit guides
Building permit guides
by state
Everything you need to know about residential building permits in your area, sheds, garages, and more. Browse by state or check your specific address.
Check my addressCoverage starts with the right AHJ
State pages are only the starting point. The permit answer that matters is the exact city, village, township, or county desk that will review the project.
Permit research starts local
State guide first, reviewing AHJ second.
State Guide
ILIllinois
3,007+ jurisdictions covered
Popular cities
ChicagoAuroraNapervilleRockford
View Illinois guide
State Guide
WIWisconsin
2,128+ jurisdictions covered
Popular cities
MilwaukeeMadisonGreen BayKenosha
View Wisconsin guide
State Guide
INIndiana
2,068+ jurisdictions covered
Popular cities
IndianapolisFort WayneEvansvilleSouth Bend
View Indiana guide
Popular permit paths
Start with the permit question people actually search
Broad building permit searches need fast paths into project, local, and managed-help pages. These are the highest-intent next clicks from the directory.
Start broadBuilding permit requirementsHow to get a building permit, what documents reviewers expect, and where zoning and inspections fit.Open pathZoning reviewZoning permitsSetbacks, use approval, lot coverage, site plans, overlays, and zoning vs building permit review.Open pathRecovery pathBuilding without a permitStop-work orders, permit violations & after-the-fact permits, inspection steps, records, and closeout.Open pathExpirationHow long permits lastExpiration, extensions, inspections, inactive permits, final closeout, and restart questions.Open pathTrade workElectrical permitsNew circuits, panel upgrades, EV chargers, outlets, GFCI/AFCI protection, and rough-in inspections.Open pathTrade workMechanical permitsHVAC, furnaces, AC, mini splits, heat pumps, gas work, ductwork, venting, and inspections.Open pathHVAC workHVAC permitsFurnaces, AC units, mini splits, heat pumps, ducts, gas work, electrical disconnects, and inspections.Open pathHVAC workFurnace replacement permitsGas, venting, combustion air, electrical connection, contractor rules, and final inspection.Open pathHVAC workMini Split permitsOutdoor condenser, refrigerant lines & electrical disconnect, condensate, contractor rules, and final inspection.Open pathHVAC workAC replacement permitsOutdoor condenser, refrigerant lines & electrical disconnect, condensate, contractor rules, and final inspection.Open pathExterior workRoofing permitsRoof replacement, layer limits, underlayment, ice barrier, contractor licensing, and final inspection.Open pathTrade workPlumbing permitsWater heaters, fixtures, drains, sewer or water service, licensed-work rules, and inspections.Open pathReplacementWater heater permitsReplacement, venting, pans, TPR discharge, expansion tanks, licensed-work rules, and final inspection.Open pathBasement safetyEgress window permitsClear opening size, window wells, ladders, drainage, bedroom conversion, and inspection timing.Open pathTear-down workDemolition permitsUtility disconnects, asbestos review, debris handling, site protection, inspections, and restoration.Open pathDone for youManaged permit helpWhen the project needs address-specific research, document prep, filing guidance, or a clearer AHJ path.Open path
Source-backed AHJ profiles
Building department profiles before project guides
Parent profiles collect official permit links, filing path signals, boundary context, and local construction history, then connect into the project-specific guide for that AHJ.
DuPage/Will County / Online portalCity of Naperville, IL10 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileLake County / Online portalCity of Waukegan, IL10 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileKane County / Forms or documentsCity of Geneva, IL10 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileBrown County / Forms or documentsCity of Green Bay, WI10 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileCook County / Forms or documentsCity of Oak Forest, IL10 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileSt. Joseph County / Forms or documentsCity of South Bend, IN10 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileLake County / Forms or documentsCity of Zion, IL10 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileCook County / Online portalCity of Des Plaines, IL9 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileCook County / Online portalCity of Park Ridge, IL9 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileDuPage County / Online portalCity of Warrenville, IL9 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileDuPage County / Online portalCity of Wheaton, IL9 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profileCook County / Online portalVillage of Brookfield, IL9 official permit sources, boundary map, local historyOpen AHJ profile
Permit guide library
Browse project work, permit types, and messy permit questions
Project work
Physical scopes a homeowner or contractor is trying to build.
Permit types
Review lanes, trade permits, and local filing buckets.
Permit problems
Messy status questions that need a recovery or closeout path.
20 results
Project workFencesHeight, placement, sight triangle, pool barrier, and lot-line checks.Open guide
Project workDecksFootings, guards, stairs, ledger attachment, and inspection sequence.Open guideProject workPatiosFlatwork, covered patios, drainage, lot coverage, and zoning review.Open guide
Project workCarportsOpen-side structures, driveway placement, fire separation, and HOAs.Open guide
Project workRoofingRoof replacement, layer limits, underlayment, licensing, and closeout.Open guide
Project workRemodelingInterior scopes, multi-trade review, drawings, inspections, and occupancy.Open guideProject workEgress windowsBasement openings, window wells, ladders, drainage, and bedroom use.Open guideProject workDemolitionUtility disconnects, debris handling, site protection, and restoration.Open guidePermit typesBuilding permit requirementsThe broad building permit path: documents, review, fees, and inspections.Open guidePermit typesZoning permitsUse, site plan, parcel context, overlays, and building-vs-zoning review.Open guidePermit typesElectrical permitsCircuits, panels, EV chargers, service work, and rough/final inspections.Open guidePermit typesPlumbing permitsFixtures, water service, drains, licensed-work rules, and inspections.Open guidePermit typesMechanical permitsHVAC equipment, gas, ducts, venting, combustion air, and inspection flow.Open guidePermit typesHVAC permitsHeating and cooling equipment, condenser placement, disconnects, and finals.Open guidePermit typesFurnace replacementGas connection, venting, combustion air, electrical, and final inspection.Open guidePermit typesMini split permitsCondenser, line sets, electrical disconnect, condensate, and inspection notes.Open guidePermit typesAC replacement permitsOutdoor condenser, electrical disconnect, refrigerant lines, and closeout.Open guidePermit typesWater heater permitsReplacement, venting, pans, TPR discharge, expansion tank, and inspection.Open guidePermit problemsBuilding without a permitStop-work risk, retroactive filings, records, inspections, and closeout.Open guidePermit problemsHow long permits lastExpiration, extensions, inactivity, final inspections, and restart questions.Open guideCoverageIllinois 3,007Wisconsin 2,128Indiana 2,0687,204 jurisdictions totalAnswers in under 5 min
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