Building Permit Glossary

Alt-2 ApplicationAn Alt-2 is a New York City permit application for alterations to existing build… As-Built DrawingsAs-built drawings document a building as it was actually constructed — capturing… Building CodeBuilding codes are the minimum construction standards that permitted work must m… Building PermitA building permit is the official government authorization required before start… Certificate of Occupancy (CO)A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is the final government sign-off that a building… Conditional PermitA conditional permit is a building permit issued with specific conditions attach… Demolition PermitA demolition permit is required before tearing down a building or major structur… EasementAn easement gives another party the legal right to use a portion of your propert… Egress WindowAn egress window is a window large enough for occupants to escape — or rescuers … Electrical PermitAn electrical permit is required for most new wiring, panel upgrades, and electr… Final InspectionThe final inspection is the last required inspection for a permitted project, ve… Flood ZoneFlood zones are FEMA-designated areas with elevated flood risk. Building in a fl… GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)GFCI outlets protect against electric shock by cutting power within milliseconds… HVHZ (High-Velocity Hurricane Zone)HVHZ is a Florida designation covering Miami-Dade and Broward counties where all… Impact FeesImpact fees are one-time government charges on new construction or additions to … Load-Bearing WallA load-bearing wall supports the structural weight of the floors, roof, or walls… Mechanical PermitA mechanical permit is required for HVAC installations, replacements, and modifi… Ministerial ApprovalMinisterial approval means a permit application that meets all objective require… Owner-Builder ExemptionThe owner-builder exemption lets homeowners pull permits and act as their own ge… Permit ExpediterA permit expediter is a professional who navigates the building permit process o… Plan Check / Plan ReviewPlan check (plan review) is the process where a building department examiner rev… Plumbing PermitA plumbing permit is required whenever you add, move, or significantly alter plu… Right-of-Way (ROW)The right-of-way is the strip of land controlled by the government for streets, … Rough-In InspectionA rough-in inspection occurs after framing, plumbing, and electrical work is com… SetbackA setback is the minimum required distance between a structure and a property li… Stop-Work OrderA stop-work order is an official government directive requiring all construction… Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO)A TCO allows a building to be occupied before all construction is complete, prov… Title 24Title 24 is California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards — a set of require… ValuationPermit valuation is the estimated cost of construction used to calculate permit … VarianceA variance is a formal exception to a zoning rule, granted by a zoning board aft… ZoningZoning laws determine what can be built where — and must be satisfied before a b…