Before finishing an attic get the necessary permits from your local housing commission so you don t get in trouble later on if you try to sell your house.
Building permit to finish attic.
Follow the rule of 7s.
If you need any advice about completing a home improvement construction or obtaining a building permit for your refinished basement or refinished attic please feel free to contact us at any time at 201 458 0455.
In most cases though the joists cannot support live loads and may not even be covered with boards.
In certain cases however you may be able to obtain a permit by mail.
Building permits are written authorizations issued by a city or county to construct a project.
In most cases applications for permits must be made in person at the county s building permit office in georgetown.
They are required for most construction or remodeling projects in order to ensure the safety of the work and its compliance with building construction and zoning codes.
That s measured after you finish the ceiling if you don t have enough height you ll have to raise the roof line and that adds a lot to your construction costs.
Once you have a permit install subfloor panels over the floor joists so you can lay down flooring.
First check for head clearance.
Building codes vary by location but most require at least a 7 foot clearance for attic expansions.
Considering usable floor space.
When a house is for sale and has a finished attic that didn t apply for a permit from the county how should you proceed with the sale.
Every attic is different but a few established norms and practices will guide your renovation.
Enforcement varies but codes typically say that at least half of a finished attic must be at least 7 feet high and that this area must be a minimum of 7 feet wide and 70 square feet.
A finished attic without a permit.
A contractor or a local building.
In rare cases especially in new construction homes the attic may have been built unfinished with the correct flooring in place with the idea that the homeowner could later on finish the space.
Please contact the permit office at 302 855 7720 for additional information.