Yes, building permits are public records in all 50 states, and anyone can request them. Every state has an open records law that treats documents produced by government agencies as accessible by default, and permits issued by a city or county building department fall squarely within that category. You do not need to explain why you want the record or prove a special interest in the property.
Most permit searches start and end at the local building department’s website. When records are not online, a written request to the same department will get you what you need, usually within a few business days.
What a Permit Record Shows
Permit files are more detailed than most people expect. Fields vary by jurisdiction, but a typical record includes:
- The property’s street address and, in most places, its Assessor’s Parcel Number, a unique identifier assigned by the county assessor for tax purposes.
- The name of the property owner or applicant, along with the contractor’s name and license number.
- A description of the authorized work, such as “roof replacement” or “bathroom remodel,” and the estimated project cost declared on the application.
- The date the permit was issued, its expiration date, and the status of required inspections, including whether they passed or failed.
These records tell you whether a project actually finished. A permit that was issued but never received a final inspection is a red flag, especially if you are evaluating a property to buy. For new construction and major renovations, the closing document is the certificate of occupancy, which confirms all inspections passed and the building is approved for its intended use. Without it, a structure may not legally be occupied.
What Gets Redacted
Disclosure is the default, but some information is routinely withheld:
- Personal contact information such as phone numbers, email addresses, and Social Security numbers is almost always removed before release. Bank account and credit card numbers are handled the same way.
- Detailed architectural drawings, floor plans, and blueprints may be restricted, particularly for private residences. For government buildings and critical infrastructure, security system schematics and emergency operations plans are released only to authorized personnel.
- Proprietary construction methods or technical information that qualifies as a trade secret may be exempt.
How far these exemptions reach depends on the state. Some states protect residential floor plans more strictly than others, and the definition of “critical infrastructure” varies. The core permit record, meaning the address, owner name, contractor, scope of work, and inspection results, is almost never exempt.
How to Search for a Permit
Building permits are issued locally, so the first question is which jurisdiction covers the property. That is usually a city building department, or a county department in unincorporated areas.
The most effective starting point is the exact street address. If you have the Assessor’s Parcel Number, better still. The APN is tied to the parcel itself and eliminates confusion when multiple addresses look alike or a property has been subdivided. You can find the APN on a property tax bill or through the county assessor’s website. The owner’s name or a specific permit number will also narrow results.
Online Portals
Most cities and counties maintain free online permit databases. These portals typically let you look up a property by address, APN, owner name, or permit number and view the full permit history, including inspection results and project status. Larger jurisdictions tend to have well-developed portals. Smaller towns may offer limited access or none. If the jurisdiction’s website has no search tool, call the building department and ask what is available.
Formal Records Requests
When records are not online, or when you need certified copies, submit a public records request directly to the agency. Many jurisdictions do not require a specific form or even a written request; you can often ask by phone, email, or in person. Putting the request in writing is still worth doing, because it creates a paper trail if you need to follow up or appeal.
Fees and Response Times
Agencies can charge for copies and, sometimes, for staff time. Per-page fees for paper copies typically run between $0.10 and $1.00. Electronic copies sent by email are often free. Requests that involve extensive searching or large volumes of documents may trigger an hourly labor charge, though many agencies waive it for the first several hours. Ask about fees upfront.
Response deadlines depend on state law. They range from as few as two business days in the fastest states to 30 days in the slowest, with roughly a quarter of states setting a window of three to five business days. Some states set no specific deadline and require only that records be provided “as promptly as possible.” If you have not heard back within a reasonable time, follow up in writing and reference your original request date.
Older and Historical Permits
Online databases rarely reach back more than a few decades. Older permits still exist, but the format changes. Paper folders, microfilm, and index cards in a building department archive are common. In some locations, the oldest documents have been transferred to a state archive, library, or historical society.
The Library of Congress recommends contacting the county office directly to ask what has been scanned and what remains only in physical form. Digitization is happening unevenly across the country. Do not assume that a record is gone because it is not online. Call or visit.
Why Homebuyers Should Run a Permit Search
Pulling a property’s permit history before closing is one of the most practical due diligence steps available, and skipping it can be expensive. If a house has a finished basement, a converted garage, or a new bathroom that does not appear in the permit record, that work may have been done without a permit. Unpermitted work causes several kinds of problems:
- Work that was never inspected may have been done incorrectly. Faulty wiring and inadequate structural support are typical concerns.
- Homeowners insurance providers can deny claims tied to unpermitted work. An electrical fire in an unpermitted addition, for example, may not be covered.
- When you sell, most states require you to disclose unpermitted work you know about. Buyers may offer less, lenders may refuse to finance the purchase, and problems that surface later can create liability.
- If the local building department discovers unpermitted work, an inspector may require you to open walls or, in serious cases, tear down and rebuild portions of the project to bring it up to code.
Running a permit search before you buy catches these issues while you still have leverage to negotiate or walk away. The search costs nothing if the jurisdiction has an online portal.
If Your Request Is Denied
Denials happen and are not always the end. Under most state open records laws, the agency bears the burden of showing that a legal exemption justifies withholding a document. You do not have to justify wanting it. Denials that cite vague or overbroad exemptions are often overturned on appeal.
Most states provide an administrative appeal to a designated official, attorney general, or oversight body, followed by the option to challenge the decision in court. If your request is denied, ask the agency to identify the specific statutory exemption it relies on, and consider contacting your state’s open records ombudsman or attorney general’s office for guidance on next steps.