Every permitted job leaves a record with the building department: what was permitted, by whom, and whether it passed final inspection. Gaps in that record show up at the worst times.
What to look for
- Open permits: work that was started but never closed out with a final inspection.
- Expired permits: permits that lapsed before the work was finished or inspected.
- Unpermitted work: additions or conversions with no permit at all.
- Who pulled it: the contractor named on each permit.
Why it matters
Buyers, lenders and insurers often ask about open permits. A new permit for your own project can be delayed by an old one on the same property.
How to resolve it
Closing an old permit usually means contacting the building department, scheduling the missing inspections and sometimes hiring a licensed contractor to take over the permit. The building department and a licensed professional can tell you what applies.
Our research service pulls the permit history as part of a written property report.
General information. Building departments set the rules for closing and transferring permits.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or regulatory advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible agency or a licensed professional.
