Do You Need A Permit To Pour Concrete In Your Backyard?

With YouTube, Pinterest and HGTV, DIY home improvement projects seem more attainable than ever. In the whirlwind of inspiration, it’s easy to forget that certain projects require a little extra planning. So before you start working, check to see if you need a permit to pour concrete in your backyard.

A general rule is if a project is larger than 200 square feet, you will need a permit. Therefore, you might need a permit to pour concrete in your backyard; failing to do so can lead to hefty fines. You might also have trouble selling your home, so always check with local authorities before beginning any construction project.

There is no simple answer to permitting for concrete projects due to differences in state and local legislature. We can, however, explore some frequent issues and solutions with this type of home project.

Applying for a permit is usually pretty easy, and you can find many applications and information online. Whoever will be doing the construction–you, a friend, a contractor–is responsible for acquiring the permit. If you are using a contractor, you must check and make sure that they apply for a permit.

To get a permit for your concrete project, you will need to visit your local building codes office or website. You can also check their FAQ page to see if there are any qualifications that exempt you from a permit.

As previously stated, you should always seek counsel from local authorities before beginning a project. However, there are a few general rules that can possibly exempt you from the permit process. Usually, anything over 200 square feet or 30 inches above an adjacent grade will require a permit.

When planning your project, you must pay close attention to the property line. Depending on your municipality, you will need to build between 5 to 10 feet away from the property line. When you check about your permit, ask about the rules surrounding the distance from the line that you can build.

Permits are important for a slew of reasons, most obviously for safety. By obtaining a permit, you adhere to building safety regulations, therefore, keeping you and your family safe.

Essentially, when you get a permit, it is saying that you are legally allowed to begin building. It says that you have talked with the people in charge and they approve of your plans. This process keeps you safe from any fees or issues with regulations in the future.

It is also important to note that certain renovations can affect your property taxes. The reasoning is because some renovations will increase the value of your home, therefore increasing your property taxes.

Forgetting to get a permit can turn into a significant problem – and fast. You should never assume that you won’t be caught with a non-permitted project.

Failure to produce a permit for an ongoing or completed construction project is subject to severe consequences. These consequences include fines, citations, or a retroactive permit cost, and all vary from state to state. In serious situations, it can mean tearing your project down and rebuilding completely.

If you did not get a permit, the best course of action is to apply for a retroactive permit. This process is essentially where you have an inspector come and check your renovations before they grant your permit. Unfortunately, there are serious repercussions if the inspector finds anything that is not up to code.

There are many things that can go wrong with retroactive permit inspection and can frequently become costly. Your inspector can ask you to tear down walls to check insulation or bathroom tiles to check plumbing.

One of the major implications that comes with failure to permit is when it comes to selling your home. Many buyers will refuse to purchase a home if it has renovations done without a permit.

When applying for a loan, the bank requires an appraisal to assess the home’s worth. If an appraiser finds renovations that don’t have permits, they may fail to add that value to your loan. This means that a buyer’s loan will be less than the home’s worth.

Therefore, a buyer will have to make up the difference between the loan and the price of the home. This also means once the home sells, the next buyers will be responsible for the non-permitted work. If they apply for a retroactive permit, they’ll be responsible for any fines or renovations from work that’s not up-to-code.

Doing non-permitted work can also be a red flag to buyers that a professional didn’t do the job. This can cause even the most committed of buyers to back out.

Related Questions

Can you remove stains from concrete?

Having a grease stain or paint mark on your freshly poured concrete can be a real pain. Thankfully there are ways to remove any unwanted mess from your concrete. For grease stains, a simple mix of baking soda, soap, and a good scrubbing will clean it right up. First, sprinkle baking soda over the entire grease stain, then squirt dish soap and scrub with a brush. Lastly, rinse the spot with water, air dry, and enjoy your grease-less concrete.For paint stains, you can’t find a better cleaner than plain cleaning vinegar. Heat the vinegar, pour onto the paint, and leave it for 15 minutes. After, spray with a high-pressure hose, and repeat if there is any remaining paint. 

What is the difference between concrete and cement?

Many people frequently think of cement and concrete as the same thing, but cement is actually a component of concrete. Cement consists of limestone and clay that has been heated to a high temperature and ground into a powder. Concrete is a combination of cement (10-15%), an aggregate, and water. Cement is never used alone but is a component in many different materials like grout, mortar, and stucco. Once the cement in concrete binds with the water and aggregate, it creates a rock-hard bond.

How long does concrete last?

Concrete is a powerful building material that has survived across history from ancient Rome to modern-day. For concrete that experiences frequent wear and tear–sidewalks, driveways–50 years is the average lifespan. For well-maintained concrete buildings, a 100-year lifespan is a reasonable estimation.