Permits and party walls
The paperwork is part of the build
Most of what can go wrong with an attic suite goes wrong at the permit counter or over the fence. We handle both.
A building permit covers the framing, the stair, the plumbing and the electrical. Zoning is a separate question, and it comes up when the roofline changes or the house could be read as two units. Party walls are shared with the house next door, so work that touches them starts with a conversation.
What we handle
Drawings for the city
The building permit application
A zoning check before the first drawing
A party-wall conversation, with you present
Inspections, with us on site
What changes the price
What decides how long it takes
We can't speed up the city, but we can send it a clean set.
The scope
A new stair or a dormer needs a fuller set of drawings than an interior finish.
Zoning
A roofline change or a second kitchen adds a zoning review.
An engineer
A pop-up or any change to bearing needs an engineer's stamp.
Historic blocks
A house on a historic block may need a review of the front.
The neighbor
A party-wall conversation goes faster with a drawing in hand.
Inspections
Rough-in, insulation and final inspections each have to be booked.
How it goes
How a permit job runs
- 01
Step 1: Check the rules
We confirm what needs a permit and what needs zoning.
- 02
Step 2: Draw and file
We prepare the drawings and apply.
- 03
Step 3: Talk to the neighbor
If the party wall is involved, we bring a drawing.
- 04
Step 4: Build and inspect
We book each inspection and meet the inspector on site.
Questions
Questions about permits
Who pulls the permit?
We do, under our city contractor license. It is part of the scope.
What if I already finished my attic without a permit?
Tell us. We can look at what's there and tell you what the city would ask for. It is better to know before you sell or insure.
Will my neighbor have to sign anything?
Not always. It depends on whether the work touches the shared wall. We tell you on the visit.
Do you work on historic blocks?
Yes. Those blocks add a design review, and we draw for it.
Not sure what you need to file?
We'll tell you on the visit, before any drawing.