Home Improvement Permit Guide

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (ALBGC) requires a license for projects over $50,000 (or $10,000 for specialty work). Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs are licensed by the Alabama Department of Labor. Many counties require building permits for structural work — contact your county building department for local thresholds.

The Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (DCBPL) licenses all contractors, with registration required for projects over $10,000. Electricians and plumbers are separately licensed. Alaska has adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC with state amendments for seismic and extreme cold construction requirements.

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) requires a license for all projects over $1,000. Contractor registration verification is mandatory — always check at the ROC website before hiring. Energy code (ACES) requires HVAC load calculations (ACCA Manual J) for new and replacement system installations.

The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB) requires a license for projects over $2,000. Electricians are licensed by the State Board of Electrical Examiners; plumbers by the State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Arkansas adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC statewide, enforced at county level.

California CSLB (Contractors State License Board) has among the most stringent contractor licensing in the nation. ADU construction is streamlined by state law — many cities must approve ADUs by right. Solar permits are expedited under SB-48. Fire-resistant construction required in High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (HFHSZ). Title 24 energy codes are the most demanding in the U.S.

Colorado has no statewide residential building code — counties and municipalities adopt codes independently. Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins have adopted the IRC with amendments. Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building requirements apply in fire-prone mountain communities. Radon-resistant new construction is required in many high-radon counties.

The CT Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) requires Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for all work over $200. Electricians are licensed by DCP; plumbers by the Department of Public Health. CT has a statewide building code aligned with the 2018 IBC/IRC with state amendments. Local building departments enforce permits and inspections.

Delaware requires contractor business registration through the Division of Revenue. Electricians are licensed by the State Fire Prevention Commission; plumbers by the Delaware Professional Regulation (DELPRO). Building permits are issued at city and county level. The State has adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC. Dover and Wilmington have active local building departments.

Florida's Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) enforces strict statewide codes due to hurricane risk (Florida Building Code, High-Velocity Hurricane Zones in South Florida). All roofing replacements require permits. Pool safety fences and self-latching gates are mandated statewide. Impact-resistant windows and doors are required in coastal zones. The DBPR licenses all contractors.

Georgia has a state minimum standard building code. Contractors must be licensed by the Georgia Secretary of State. Atlanta and Fulton County have streamlined online permitting. Energy Code (Georgia Energy Code) requires blower door and duct leakage testing for new construction and major renovations. Verify contractor license at the Secretary of State website.

Hawaii's DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) division requires a license for projects over $1,000. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors are all separately licensed. Hawaii has adopted the IBC/IRC with significant seismic and high-wind amendments. Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) manages building permits for Oahu.

The Idaho Contractors Board (ICB) requires a license for projects over $2,000. Electricians are licensed by the Electrical Board; plumbers by the Plumbing Board. Idaho has adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC statewide. All permit applications are filed with the local building department. Boise and Ada County have fully online permitting systems.

Chicago has its own building code (Chicago Building Code), while the rest of Illinois adopts the International Building Code with local amendments. Plumber licensing is handled at the state level. Chicago requires licensed electricians for all electrical work. Permits in Chicago are often delayed — factor 4–8 weeks for plan review on major projects.

Indiana's Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) licenses plumbers and electricians at the state level, but there is no statewide general contractor license. Building permits and codes are administered locally — Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and other cities vary widely in requirements. Indiana adopted the 2020 IBC/IRC as a statewide minimum reference.

The Iowa Division of Labor licenses electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors at the state level. There is no statewide general contractor license. Iowa has adopted a statewide building code based on the IBC/IRC, administered at local level. Des Moines and Iowa City have robust building departments with online permitting.

The Kansas Department of Labor licenses electricians and plumbers at the state level. There is no statewide general contractor license. Building codes are adopted at city and county level — many rural Kansas counties have no building code requirements at all. Wichita and Johnson County have modern permit offices.

The Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (HBC) licenses contractors and electricians statewide. Plumbers are licensed by the Division of Plumbing. Kentucky has a statewide residential code based on the IRC. Local building officials enforce permits and inspections through county or city building departments.

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) requires a license for projects over $50,000 for general contractors, but specialty subcontractor licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) are required at any project size. Louisiana has one of the most comprehensive contractor licensing systems in the South. Wind zone requirements apply in coastal parishes.

The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) licenses electricians and plumbers. Homebuilder registration is required for residential construction. Maine adopted the 2015 IBC/IRC with amendments. Energy code (IECC) compliance is increasingly enforced, including blower door testing for new construction. Local code enforcement officers issue building permits.

The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) requires a home improvement contractor license for all work over $500. Electricians are licensed by the Board of Master Electricians; plumbers by the State Board of Plumbing. Maryland adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC with state amendments. Montgomery County and Baltimore City have their own more stringent requirements.

The Office of Consumer Affairs (OCABR) requires Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for all residential work over $1,000. Electricians are licensed by the Board of Examiners; plumbers by the Board of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. The MA Stretch Energy Code (more stringent than IECC baseline) applies in 300+ participating municipalities including Boston, Cambridge, and Newton.

Michigan LARA (Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) licenses residential builders, maintenance contractors, electricians, plumbers, and mechanical contractors. Michigan's Residential Code follows the IRC with state amendments. Permit applications are filed with local building departments. Detroit and Grand Rapids have streamlined online permit portals.

The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) licenses residential contractors, remodelers, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors. Minnesota has some of the strongest consumer protections for homeowners — licensed contractors must maintain bonds and insurance. The Minnesota Building Code is based on the IBC/IRC with state amendments for cold climate construction.

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) requires a license for projects over $50,000 for general contractors. Electricians are licensed by the State Board of Electrical Contractors; plumbers by the Plumbing Board. Mississippi adopted the IBC/IRC with limited state amendments. Local permit offices are found at county or city building departments.

Missouri licenses specialty trades (electricians, plumbers) through the Division of Professional Registration, but there is no statewide general contractor license. Missouri has a statewide building code (Missouri Building Code) but enforcement is primarily local. Kansas City and St. Louis have robust permitting systems; rural counties vary widely.

Montana's Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) requires building contractor registration for projects over $2,500. Electricians and plumbers are separately licensed by state boards. Montana has no statewide residential building code — individual cities and counties adopt codes at their discretion. Billings and Missoula have adopted the IBC/IRC.

Nebraska's State Electrical Board licenses electricians, and plumbers are separately licensed through the Division of Health. There is no statewide general contractor license. Omaha and Lincoln have active building departments with online permitting. Rural Nebraska may have minimal or no permit requirements.

The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) is one of the most active contractor licensing boards in the nation. Required for all projects over $1,000. Forty+ specialty license classifications including electrical, plumbing, HVAC. Unlicensed contractor penalties are steep. Nevada adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC statewide, with Clark County (Las Vegas) enforcing additional requirements.

The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) licenses electricians, plumbers, and HVAC mechanics. There is no statewide general contractor license for residential work. New Hampshire adopted the 2015 IBC/IRC. Energy code compliance (IECC 2015 NH version) is increasingly enforced. Local building departments issue all permits.

The Division of Consumer Affairs requires home improvement contractor (HIC) registration for all residential work over $500 — one of the lowest thresholds in the nation. Electricians are licensed by the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors; plumbers by the Board of Master Plumbers. The Uniform Construction Code (UCC) is strictly enforced statewide.

The Construction Industries Division (CID) of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission licenses all contractors and provides statewide code enforcement. Required for projects over $20,000 for GC. CID has field inspectors throughout the state, unusual for the Southwest. Specialty trade licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) are required at lower thresholds.

New York City operates under its own Building Code (NYC Building Code), entirely separate from the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Outside NYC, counties and municipalities adopt codes with amendments. NYC requires licensed contractors for virtually all work. Plan review for major projects in NYC can take 3–12 months.

North Carolina's statewide building code (NCBC) is enforced by county building departments. All electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work requires permits and inspections. Contractors must be licensed through the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). Hurricane wind zones in coastal areas require enhanced framing and roofing requirements.

North Dakota has no statewide general contractor license. Electricians are licensed by the State Electrical Board; plumbers by the State Plumbing Board. The State has adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC as a reference code. Building permits are issued by city and county building departments — rural areas may have minimal or no permit requirements.

The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) licenses HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and refrigeration contractors. There is no statewide general contractor license — local jurisdictions (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati) manage their own GC licensing. Ohio's Residential Code follows the IRC with state amendments. Plan review requirements vary by municipality.

The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) licenses specialty trades including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical contractors. General contractor registration is required for projects over $2,500. Oklahoma adopted a statewide building code (Oklahoma Building Code) effective 2016. Wind zone requirements apply in Tornado Alley communities.

The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) is one of the most comprehensive contractor licensing programs in the U.S. — all contractors doing any work must be CCB licensed, with no minimum project size. CCB maintains a homeowner protection fund for consumers harmed by licensed contractors. Electricians and plumbers are separately licensed by the Building Codes Division.

Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), administered by the Attorney General, requires contractor registration for all residential work over $500. There is no statewide electrician or plumber license — these trades are licensed at the local level (city or county). Philadelphia has its own L&I licensing system, entirely separate from state registration.

Rhode Island's Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) requires registration for all residential and commercial work. Electricians are licensed by the State Electrical Board; plumbers by the Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors Board. Rhode Island adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC with state amendments. Providence has active permit and inspection enforcement.

The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (CLB) under SCLLR licenses general, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractors. Required for projects over $5,000 for GC; specialty trades have lower thresholds. South Carolina adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC with amendments. Coastal construction in CAMA (Coastal Area Management Act) zones has significant additional requirements.

South Dakota has no statewide general contractor license. Electricians are licensed by the State Electrical Commission; plumbers by the State Plumbing Commission. Building permits are issued entirely at the local level — rural South Dakota counties may have minimal or no permit requirements. Sioux Falls and Rapid City have modern permit offices with online access.

Tennessee's Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) licenses contractors for projects over $25,000 (GC); specialty trades have lower thresholds. Electricians and plumbers are separately licensed. Tennessee adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC with state amendments. Nashville has one of the busiest building permit offices in the Southeast due to rapid development.

Texas has no statewide residential building code — many rural areas have few or no permit requirements. However, all major cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) have adopted building codes. HVAC replacement permits vary widely by city. Texas does not license general contractors at the state level, but does license electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs through TDLR.

Utah's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) licenses contractors for projects over $3,000. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors are separately licensed. Utah adopted the 2021 IBC/IRC with state amendments statewide. Salt Lake City and Utah County have active building departments with online permit tracking.

Vermont's Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) licenses electricians and plumbers. There is no statewide general contractor license. Vermont's building code (VEELS) and its energy standards (Residential Building Energy Standards) are among the strictest in New England, requiring blower door testing and HERS ratings for new construction.

Virginia's DPOR (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) licenses contractors in Class A ($120K+/year revenue), Class B ($10K–$120K), and Class C (under $10K) tiers. Electricians and plumbers are licensed by the Board for Contractors. Virginia adopted the 2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code. Fairfax County and Northern Virginia jurisdictions have some of the highest building permit volumes in the nation.

Washington State's Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) licenses all contractors with mandatory registration. Seattle has additional requirements including Green Building Code incentives. Seismic retrofit programs are available for unreinforced masonry buildings. Contractor registration verification is mandatory before any work begins.

West Virginia's Division of Labor (DOL) requires contractor registration under the Contractor Licensing Act for projects over $2,500. Electricians are licensed by the State Fire Marshal Electrical Division; plumbers by the Plumbing Board. West Virginia adopted the 2018 IBC/IRC with state amendments. Charleston and Huntington have active local building departments.

Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) requires dwelling contractor certification and licenses electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and master plumbers. The Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) is a comprehensive statewide residential code with its own specific requirements, separate from the IBC/IRC. Milwaukee and Madison have robust permit enforcement offices.

Wyoming's Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety licenses electricians. Plumbers are separately licensed. There is no statewide general contractor license and no statewide residential building code — some counties have adopted codes locally, but large portions of rural Wyoming have no building code enforcement at all. Cheyenne and Casper have local building departments.