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What Is Building Permit History?

Building permit history is the record of permit applications, approvals, inspections, and completion information associated with work performed on a property.

Permit records are generally maintained by the municipality responsible for local building administration. In Nassau County, the appropriate office may depend on whether the property is located within a town, city, or incorporated village.

What Types of Work May Require a Permit?

Permit requirements vary by municipality and project. Work that may require review can include:

  • Building additions
  • Finished basements
  • Dormers
  • Decks
  • Swimming pools
  • Detached garages
  • Sheds
  • Plumbing work
  • Electrical work
  • Heating-system changes
  • Structural alterations
  • Garage conversions
  • Additional bathrooms
  • Changes in legal use

Homeowners should not assume that a project was properly approved simply because it was completed many years ago.

What Is an Open Permit?

An open permit generally means that a permit was issued but the municipal record does not show that all required steps were completed.

Possible reasons include:

  • A final inspection was never requested
  • Required documents were not submitted
  • The work changed from the approved plans
  • The project was not completed
  • The permit record was never formally closed
  • Additional corrections are required

An open permit can become an issue during a sale, refinance, or later renovation.

Why Should Buyers Review Permit History?

A renovated house may look attractive, but buyers should confirm that major improvements were properly documented.

Permit history can help buyers investigate:

  • Whether an addition was approved
  • Whether a basement conversion is recorded
  • Whether a pool or deck has permits
  • Whether completed work passed final inspections
  • Whether open permits remain
  • Whether the current use matches municipal records

Can Permit History Affect Property Assessment?

Major improvements can affect the information maintained in a property assessment record.

For example, an addition may increase living area, add rooms, or change the property's characteristics. If permit records and assessment records describe the property differently, further review may be necessary.

However, a permit does not automatically tell a homeowner exactly how much the property tax will change. Assessment and tax results depend on the applicable assessment and tax process.

What Records Should Be Compared?

Buyers and homeowners should compare:

  • Building permit history
  • Certificate of Occupancy or completion records
  • Property survey
  • Assessment record
  • Property listing
  • Inspection report
  • Actual physical condition of the home

AIDOTAX helps homeowners organize assessment records and property information before preparing an assessment review. Permit and legal-use questions should be confirmed with the appropriate municipal office and professional advisers.

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