What you'll need before you start

Applications go through faster when everything is ready before you begin. This page covers what to gather and where to find the exact list for your project.

Every permit type has its own list

The office handling your application decides which documents each permit type requires, so there's no single checklist that covers every project.

The good news is you don't have to guess. When you select your permit type at your portal, the required documents for that type are listed for you — and you won't be able to submit until each one is attached. That list is the authoritative one.

Start there. Select your permit type first, read the list, then gather.

What to have on hand

Most applications ask for some combination of:

• Property information — the address, and often a parcel number
• Project description — what you're building, changing, or repairing, and roughly what it will cost
• Drawings or plans — in a digital format you can upload (the format requirements shown on your portal)
• Contact details for everyone involved — property owner, contractor, design professional
• Contractor or professional license numbers, where they apply

Your permit type's list may ask for more, less, or something different. Treat the above as a way to start gathering, not as the requirement.

Before you begin, decide two things

Who is applying? The application is tied to whoever submits it. If a contractor is handling the permit, they should apply, not the homeowner — otherwise notifications and requests for corrections go to the wrong inbox. You can add other people to the project afterward so everyone can follow along.

Do you need a licensed professional? Some project types have to be prepared or stamped by a licensed architect, engineer, or contractor. Which ones is a local rule, and it varies. If you're at all unsure, ask the office before you start — it's a short conversation, and it's much cheaper than finding out after review.

Get your files ready

Scan or export everything to digital files before you begin. Uploading is far less stressful when you're not hunting for a document mid-application.

A few things worth checking now:

• Files are readable and right side up
• Pages are complete — no cut-off margins from a phone photo
• Names describe the contents, like site-plan.pdf rather than scan001.pdf

See Uploading your files for formats, size limits, and how to fix common upload problems.

When you're not sure

Contact the office at the phone number shown on your portal or the email address shown on your portal, their published hours.

This is genuinely worth doing if you're unsure which permit type fits your project, whether a document on the list applies to you, or whether you need a professional. Staff answer these questions all day. A five-minute call now is much faster than submitting, waiting for review, and being asked to start over.

What happens next

Once you have your permit type selected and your documents ready, you're set to apply — see Applying for a permit.

After you submit, your application is reviewed and you'll be notified if anything needs attention. What your application status means explains each stage.