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Plain definitions for the words on a permit and in a permit office — written for the trades who work from these records, not for lawyers. When you're done here, the free lookup and a market's one-off report show the words in the wild.
Official permission from a local government to build, alter, demolish, or change the use of a structure.
The office — city, county, or regional body — that issues permits and enforces codes for a property.
The jurisdiction's examination of submitted plans for code compliance before a permit is issued.
The document issued when a completed project passes final inspections and may legally be occupied.
A permit for a single trade's work — electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, roofing in some jurisdictions.
A permit for removing and replacing roofing material, usually limited to not going past the decking.
Permission to tear down a structure in whole or part, usually with utility-disconnect and safety conditions.
The job value stated on the permit application — the applicant's estimate of the work's cost.
The minimum distance a structure must sit from a property line, street, or other boundary.
An approved exception to a zoning rule for a specific property, granted after a public process.
A permit — usually electrical plus structural — for installing a photovoltaic system.
Permission to build or substantially renovate a swimming pool, including its barrier and equipment.
A formal request (state sunshine laws; Florida's is Chapter 119) for records a government holds.
The (separate) service of shepherding applications through review — a service business, not a data product.
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