Most people don't think about their building permit checklist until they're standing at the permit counter with an incomplete folder. By then you've already picked a plan, priced out materials, and maybe even cleared land. The last thing you want is a rejected application sending you back to the drawing board. This is the complete list of what U.S. building departments actually ask for, broken into what a permit-ready plan set already covers and what you still need to gather locally.
What Goes Into a Building Permit Application
Requirements vary by county, but the core submission package is remarkably consistent across most U.S. jurisdictions. Here's what to expect:
- Completed building permit application form: available from your county or city building department, usually online
- Proof of property ownership and parcel/lot number: from your deed or county assessor's website
- Site plan (plot plan): shows the structure's location on the lot, setbacks from property lines, easements, and the location of wells or septic systems
- Full architectural plan set: floor plans, foundation plan, all four exterior elevations, roof framing plan, and wall/structural sections
- Electrical plan: outlet, switch, and fixture locations with circuit information
- Energy code compliance documentation: insulation values and window specs that meet your state's energy code (often a REScheck report)
- Septic or sewer connection approval: a separate permit from your county health department if you're not on municipal sewer
- Engineer's or architect's stamp: required in some jurisdictions; see below
- Permit fees: typically calculated from square footage or estimated construction value
What a Build Blueprint Plan Set Already Covers
Items 4 and 5 on that list, the full architectural plan set and electrical plan, are exactly what's included in every permit-ready Build Blueprint set. That's the most expensive, most time-consuming part of the checklist, and it's done before you submit anything. What's left is almost entirely local paperwork: the application form, your site plan, septic/sewer approval, and fees.
This is worth being direct about: "permit-ready" means the drawings are complete and won't be rejected for being unprofessional or missing required architectural elements. It does not mean the county is guaranteed to approve your project sight unseen; local zoning, setbacks, and site conditions still apply. For the full breakdown of what a plan set includes, see what's included in the plan package.
Documents You'll Still Need to Gather Locally
- Site plan / plot plan: most counties want this drawn to scale showing your structure's exact placement. Some accept a hand-sketched version; others require a licensed surveyor
- Property survey: required by some jurisdictions before they'll issue any permit, especially near property lines or water
- Septic or well permits: handled by your county health department, separate from the building department
- Driveway or right-of-way permit: some counties require this if you're adding or modifying access to a public road
- Erosion and sediment control plan: common in jurisdictions near wetlands, rivers, or steep grades
When You'll Also Need an Engineer's Stamp
A minority of jurisdictions (and virtually all of California) require a licensed architect or engineer to stamp the plans before permit approval. Whether that applies to you depends on your structure's size, your local seismic and wind zone, and your specific county's rules. We cover this in detail, including the three questions to ask your building department, in Do I Need a Stamped Plan to Get a Building Permit?
The One Phone Call That Saves You the Most Time
Before you submit anything, call your county building department directly and ask three questions:
- "What's the complete submittal checklist for a residential structure of this size?"
- "Do you require a licensed architect or engineer's stamp on the drawings?"
- "What's your current review timeline for a complete application?"
Ask them to confirm in writing or email. Requirements differ enough between counties (even within the same state) that no article, including this one, can substitute for your specific building department's checklist. What this list does is make sure you walk in with the right questions and most of the paperwork already handled.
Plan Sets Built for a Smooth Permit Process
Every plan set below includes the complete architectural package (floor plans, elevations, structural sections, and electrical plan) that covers the bulk of a standard permit checklist:
- 20' x 26' Adirondack permit-ready set: 2 bed, 1 bath, 650 SF
- 20' x 24' Budget Cabin permit-ready set: 1 bed, 480 SF
- 24' x 36' Nordic A-Frame permit-ready set: 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,152 SF
- 26' x 26' Two-Car ADU Garage permit-ready set: 2 bed apartment over garage
Bottom Line
A building permit checklist has two halves: the architectural documents, and the local paperwork. A permit-ready plan set from Build Blueprint hands you the first half complete, professionally drawn, code-compliant, and ready to pair with your site plan and application. The second half is a handful of phone calls and forms specific to your county. Do those in the right order and there's nothing standing between you and a permit in hand.
