How to pull a residential addition permit by county

A residential addition — adding square footage to an existing single-family home — is one of the most common and most heavily reviewed permit types at any county building department. The combination of structural framing, foundation work, exterior envelope, and energy code compliance means almost every reviewer in the building, mechanical, and zoning offices will touch the application before it is issued. Application package. Plan to submit a site plan showing the property lines and the addition footprint, floor plans for both existing and proposed conditions, a foundation plan, framing plans for floors and roof, elevations from all four sides, a wall section, an energy code compliance form (REScheck or the state equivalent), and any required structural calculations. Most counties require two paper sets if you submit in person, or a single PDF set through their portal. Typical fees. Residential addition permit fees are usually calculated on a per-square-foot or valuation basis. Expect to pay roughly $450 to $1,800 depending on the size of the addition and your county's fee schedule, plus a plan review fee that runs about half the permit fee. Counties in metropolitan areas often add school impact fees, transportation fees, or stormwater fees on top. Review timeline. Plan review typically runs 10 to 20 business days for a clean residential package. Counties with electronic plan review may turn small additions in a week. Counties with paper review often take 3 to 5 weeks. Inspection sequence. Footing, foundation/stem wall, framing (with rough-ins if applicable), insulation, and final. Each inspection requires the previous one to have passed. Zoning considerations. Setbacks, lot coverage, floor area ratio, and height limits are the most common reasons additions get denied or have to be redesigned. Many counties require a zoning sign-off or variance before the building permit can be released. Confirm your zoning numbers before you spend money on stamped drawings. Find your county's permit office to confirm the local fee schedule and intake process before you submit.