Home and neighborhood
Who handles a building permit for work on my home?
Who handles it
Your local building department issues building permits and inspects the work. It enforces the building codes adopted where you live.
- Not Federal
- State
- Local
Facts checked November 5, 2026 · 1 sources
Why state and local government
There is no national building code. States control building codes, and local building departments enforce them by reviewing plans, inspecting work and issuing permits.
What to do next
- Ask your local building or planning department whether your project needs a permit and which codes apply.
- If you hire a contractor, ask who will apply for the permit and schedule the inspections.
- Keep your permit and inspection records with your home papers.
In your state
Find your state’s official offices on our state pages.
What varies
Building codes and how they are enforced depend on where you live. Each state handles code adoption differently.
Learn the background: What is the difference between a county, a city, a township and a school district?