HOA & Local Rules
HOA Shed and Outbuilding Restrictions
HOA shed rules decoded: size caps, placement and material standards, approval steps, state fine caps in CA, FL and AZ,…
Home Permit Guides & Resources
From permit costs and application requirements to inspections, timelines, and local rules, our guides make residential permitting easier to understand—so you can plan your project with confidence.
39 articles published
Latest Articles
Size Limits
How Big Can a Garage Be Without a Permit?
Garage size limits without a permit: the 200 sq ft exemption, why garages are treated stricter than sheds, height caps,…
Setbacks & Property Lines
How to Get a Property Line Survey
How to get a property line survey: when you need one, types and costs, verifying a licensed surveyor, the field process…
State/City Guides
Arizona Building Permits: Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale
How Arizona building permits work in Phoenix, Tucson and Scottsdale: exemptions, owner-builder affidavits, desert code…
Permit Cost
ADU Permit Costs: Complete Breakdown
What ADU permits really cost in 2026: plan check, utility connections and impact fees, the 750-square-foot California w…
Do I Need a Permit?
Do I Need a Permit for Plumbing Changes?
Which plumbing jobs need permits: water heaters, repipes and sewer work always do; faucet swaps and toilet replacements…
HOA & Local Rules
HOA Rules for Exterior Renovations
Which exterior renovations HOAs control, state review deadlines in CA, FL and AZ, the application process, denial appea…
Size Limits
Carport Size Limits Without a Permit
How big a carport can be without a permit: the 200 sq ft exemption, height caps, metal kit anchoring rules, enclosure l…
Setbacks & Property Lines
ADU Setback Requirements: A Homeowner's Guide
ADU setback requirements explained: California's 4-foot cap, typical 5-foot side and rear rules, fire separation, conve…
Size Limits
How Tall Can a Fence Be Without a Permit?
Most cities let you build a fence 6 to 7 feet tall without a permit, but front yards, corner lots, masonry walls, and p…
HOA & Local Rules
HOA Architectural Review: What to Expect
How HOA architectural review works: what the committee checks, the documents you submit, 30 to 45 day timelines, state…
Do I Need a Permit?
Do I Need a Permit for a Pergola?
Pergola permit rules explained: the 200 square foot exemption, when attached or roofed pergolas need permits, electrica…