If you’re planning to remodel your basement, you may be wondering whether you need a permit and how you can go about getting one. It’s a valid question — there’s an overwhelming assortment of information online but few concrete answers since permitting procedures differ throughout the many locales in California.
In this guide, we’re presenting information that generally applies to the entire state. Below, you’ll learn whether your project needs a permit at all, how you can prepare your permit application and avoid lengthy revision cycles, and what happens if you decide not to get a permit for your basement remodeling project. Read on to find out more!
Do I Need a Permit to Remodel a Basement?
In most cases, your basement remodeling project will require a permit. Depending on the scope of work, you may even need to obtain more than one. Here’s a look at the remodeling activities that typically require a permit:
- Non-habitable to habitable basement conversion — If your basement is currently not finished and you intend to get it ready for occupancy, you’ll need a building permit.
- Removing walls — Should you decide to demolish walls in the course of your basement remodel, whether load-bearing or not, you’ll need a building permit.
- Building a kitchen or kitchenette — Adding a kitchen to the basement will require electrical and plumbing permits for the associated works with electrical wiring, supply, and drain water piping. You’ll need to get these permits in addition to the building permit needed to furnish a basement.
- Adding a bathroom — To add bathroom facilities to a basement, you’ll need to get separate plumbing and electrical permits for the plumbing and wiring. Again, this is in addition to the building permit you’ll require to start the conversion.
- Installing heating and cooling systems — Drawing ductwork for forced-air heating or air conditioning systems will require a mechanical permit. If you opt for radiant hydronic heating, you’ll need a plumbing permit.
The list above is far from exhaustive, so the best thing you can do to streamline permitting is to ask your local building department which permits are needed for the work you have planned.
How to Get a Permit For Your Basement Remodeling Project?
Once you’ve confirmed that your basement remodeling project does need a permit, you can start getting ready to submit your permit application. Though the process may sound overwhelming, luckily, there are a few things you can do to streamline the process and avoid numerous revision cycles.
We suggest you follow the steps below to put together a bulletproof permit application.
Make Sure Your Basement Will Meet All Code Requirements
Before you start thinking about permits, you should understand the basics of a basement remodel — i.e., what work you’ll need to carry out to legally convert your basement from non-habitable to habitable. You may be surprised to find that some activities are mandatory if you want the basement to be occupied, whether as a separate residence, living space within your home, or office.
Simply put, you’ll have to meet all the same California Building Code requirements to which above-grade living spaces are subject before the basement can be legally occupied. For instance, among other things, you’ll need to meet minimum floor-to-ceiling height requirements, provide a means of egress, and plan for an automatic sprinkler. These standards may differ between jurisdictions, so it’s always best to work with a licensed local engineer or contractor to avoid missing any required elements.
Get an Engineer’s Assistance
There’s no better professional out there to help you plan your basement remodeling project than a licensed, local engineer. Not only will they be able to help you plan various aspects of the basement’s design, but they’ll also know all the local codes. With this knowledge, you can rest assured that the engineers will be able to create a code-compliant design and put together a detailed submittal — one that the building department can approve promptly without demanding revisions.
An experienced local engineer will also likely know reliable, licensed contractors who operate in your area and will be happy to connect you with one.
Hire a Reputable, Licensed Remodeling Contractor to Pull the Permit
Unless you decide to obtain the permit by yourself, the contractor you hire will be responsible for pulling the permit on your behalf. If you want the permitting process to be quick and painless, it’s always best to leave this step for your contractor.
Unfortunately, though, finding a quality, trustworthy contractor is not always simple.
There are plenty of horror stories out there about unlicensed contractors doing shoddy work, wrongfully advising their clients to skip permitting, or bailing on their customers after taking the first deposit. These eventualities are very real if you don’t properly vet the contractor you hire for your basement remodeling project.
To this end, you should thoroughly screen every contractor who bids on your project (you should solicit at least three bids). Alternatively, you can ask your engineer to recommend a reputable contractor from your area, preferably one with whom they have a long-standing working relationship. Most engineers will recommend two or three contractors and leave the final decision in your hands.
Let Your Engineer Handle Revisions
If the building officials aren’t satisfied with your permit application, you’ll get their feedback and a list of action items once they’ve reviewed the submittal. If this happens, don’t be discouraged. Instead, collaborate with your engineer and contractor to resolve the outstanding issues, and hopefully, your next attempt will end with the permit in your hands. At this stage, it’s essential to establish an open dialogue with the building official overseeing your application — good communication will ensure that all concerns are addressed before you resubmit the application.
What Happens If You Don’t Get a Permit?
It’s highly tempting to avoid getting the requisite paperwork before commencing a construction project, but doing so can cause you more trouble than you think. While you may feel that you’re saving time and money, the negative consequences of doing unpermitted work in your basement can easily outweigh any upfront savings.
For example, if your neighbors report you to the building officials, you’ll incur penalties and have to prove that your work meets all applicable standards. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to dismantle your efforts and start from scratch.
Even if the building officials are not made aware that you’re remodeling without a permit, you’ll be legally obliged to disclose the unpermitted work when you sell the house. Doing so could cause prospective buyers to either walk away from the purchase or lower their offer far below the asking price. Should you choose to withhold this information from your buyers and the transaction goes ahead, the buyers could later sue you if they find out that you didn’t disclose the unpermitted work. Finding out is easier than you think — all they have to do is check with the building department, for example, if they apply for a permit to alter any of the unpermitted work you’ve performed.
How Design Everest Can Help?
If you’re about to remodel your basement, Design Everest can help you in many ways. Our team of engineers can walk you through various basement remodel ideas, furnish quality drawings and specifications for your project, make sure you get the permit quickly and keep remodeling costs as low as possible. Once you’re ready to start building, we can recommend a reputable local remodeling contractor in your area too. You can contact us today to get a free consultation.
