# When do you need a building permit? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [December 11, 2009, 11:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/when-do-you-need-a-building-permit/77143 "2009-12-11T11:23:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![greenbull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@greenbull](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/greenbull)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 12:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/when-do-you-need-a-building-permit/77143/21 "2009-12-12T12:03:55Z")
Permit cost usually depends on what you are doing. ---
**Author:** ![Locutus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/locutus/32/7574_2.png) [@Locutus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Locutus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 9:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/when-do-you-need-a-building-permit/77143/22 "2009-12-15T09:01:12Z")
get the permit. its not just about fees… its about safety too. ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 9:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/when-do-you-need-a-building-permit/77143/23 "2009-12-15T09:08:32Z")
Call the local building inspector. They can usually tell you what they look for, and what the requirements are before you pay for a permit. They do require them for a reason, but the only thing I would get a permit for is something that would require an inspection approval for resale. > [@SilverGT](#): > > Do I need to get a permit to finish my basement? maybe but im not. You do need one, and unless you are remodeling an existing finished basement, you will need to add an additional entry… (or so the town says) LOL ---
**Author:** ![slow84ta](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/slow84ta/32/7265_2.png) [@slow84ta](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/slow84ta)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 9:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/when-do-you-need-a-building-permit/77143/24 "2009-12-15T09:21:40Z")
Myrtle Beach is good about Permits, but I neighbor’s can be the biggest issue :tdown: ---
**Author:** ![Cleck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@Cleck](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Cleck)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 12:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/when-do-you-need-a-building-permit/77143/25 "2009-12-15T12:49:13Z")
Anything I can do around the house like adding lights, outlets, plumbing, small stuff, etc I don’t get a permit for. It’s usually stuff I can do w/out a town person driving by and seeing something and going, damn I should check that out, looks major. Anything I have hired out for I make sure they have permits, just to cover my ass and also to speed things up. Nothing like being held up because some fly by night ass hat contractor or whatever started doing work w/out a permit and got caught. I’ll be adding some outlets to my outside porch this spring, not getting a permit. When I do my subpanel, I’ll get a permit whether I do the work or not because that’s something that can be major in a minute. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 1:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/when-do-you-need-a-building-permit/77143/26 "2009-12-15T13:19:27Z")
> [@66impalass](#): > > That too… Basically this is a time that it is usually more cost affective to play roulette, if you get caught pay the $50 fine and get the permit after, if you don’t get caught you save the cost of the permit… It’s not just the cost of the permit either. You’re officially filing with the town about upgrades you’re making and those upgrades will get considered when your house is re-assessed for tax purposes. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/when-do-you-need-a-building-permit/77143.md?page=1)