Building Codes, Building Permits and Variances

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Home Building

Building your own home is an often exciting, sometimes exhausting experience. It’s also a perfect chance to have a home that’s designed the way you want it to look. But whether you’re hiring a general contractor or doing most of the work yourself, it takes a lot of forethought and planning. The sites highlighted in this Web guide can help you find inspiration to create the home of your dreams and get much-needed help to ensure you don’t miss one of the many details that accompany this endeavor.

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Building Codes, Building Permits and Variances

Part of building your new home is making sure you’ve got your bases covered in terms of having building permits and other necessary paperwork in place for your project. If you’re not sure what you need, these Web sites can help.

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Building requirements and codes vary from state to state and often among counties and even cities. You can typically find much, if not all, of the information you need at the building department section of your state or city Web site. (You might even be able to apply for permits online.) The Web address for your state is http://www.state.[two-letter postal code].us.

Use the Web as a starting point, but be aware that it’s also wise to consult personally with the building or housing department where you live before you start construction.

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For information about building codes and building permits …

The National Association of Home Builders details the purpose of building codes, how they are enforced and some of the components of homes that building codes address.

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The International Code Council explains the need for building permits and the general process that must be followed as you apply for a permit. This page is in PDF format.

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For information about variances …

The Official Web Site for Escambia County, Florida, Board of County Commissioners has a helpful page that explains what a variance is and why one may or may not be necessary for the home you wish to build. This information is not completely state-specific, so it can be helpful no matter where you live.

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