Do I need a Permit to Build a Sunroom?

If you’re planning to add a sunroom to your home, you may be wondering about the typical building process, including whether or not permits will be required before construction can begin. Although regulations vary from location to location, it’s safe to say permits will have to be pulled. Homeowners building their own sunroom can handle this process themselves, but it will take several steps.

Obtaining a Permit

The process begins by filling out an application and submitting copies of both your plot plans and your sunroom plans to the proper city department. Larger municipalities usually have online systems where this can be done. Smaller municipalities may require applicants to do this in person. You’ll also have to pay a permitting fee, which varies based on your location and the scope of your project. On average, a permit for a sunroom addition will cost about $500.

After the application has been submitted, it must be reviewed and approved. This can take anywhere from one to 30 days. Once approval for your sunroom is given, you’ll be issued a field card that must be posted in a location visible from the street and accessible to inspectors so they can sign off on your project. And yes, a follow-up inspection is mandatory.

It’s important to remember that kit-built or modular sunrooms will need building permits as well as those constructed from scratch. No sunroom is too small to avoid this requirement. It may seem like a lot of hoops to have to jump through, but if you hire a reputable contactor to do the work, they will pull all necessary permits and arranging for inspections as part of their services.

If you’re thinking about adding a sunroom to your home in San Diego or a surrounding community, Pacific Patio can install a wide variety of custom made enclosures from TEMO, one of the most respected manufactures of energy efficient sunrooms in the nation. Contact us today and schedule a no-obligation consultation with one of our specialists to learn more.