Paver patios are awesome and you know it. Durable, versatile and long-lasting, they come in many shapes and materials, can be impervious or permeable, and have since become a staple of the hardscaping industry. They are a welcome addition to any home, especially if you want a space in your backyard to have a barbecue, gather friends, or simply relax after a hard day at work.
Many home improvement projects require a building permit and, since building codes vary from place to place, determining if you need one for the paver patio of your dreams could bring you some trouble.
As such, we plan to give you an overview on whether you require a building permit for your patio, what could happen if you don’t have such permit, and the usual steps to get one yourself.
Do Paver Patios Require Permits?
Assuming they are built following manufacturer recommendations on compacted gravel or screeded sand, paver patios don’t usually require permits since they, unlike concrete slabs, are not considered permanent structures.
On the other hand, for more complex projects that include electrical wiring, plumbing, and other structures, chances are you will need a building permit. If you, for example, want to attach a cover or a roof to your patio, a permit will be required.
In any case, you should always check with your local authorities whether a building permit is required to avoid potential issues going forward.
What Happens if I Build a Patio Without a Permit?
Like all things in life, actions have consequences and it is no different with paver patios. While building simple ones without a permit is usually fine, bigger projects could bring you a lot of problems if you’re caught and a permit is required.
For example, you could be at risk of paying significant fines, often ranging from 3 to 10 times the cost of getting a permit. You may be required to make repairs or tear everything down if inspectors find something that is not up to current codes. You could also find a Stop Work Order sign right at your door, signaling that workers cannot continue the construction of your paver patio.
Furthermore, unpermitted patios would probably deny you insurance claims you file following an accident and will likely weaken your bargaining position when selling your property.
With that in mind, failing to acquire the correct building permits may give you frustrating consequences in the future. One of the best parts of following protocols and getting a permit is that an inspector will come to your building site and assure you that everything has been built correctly.
How to Obtain a Building Permit
As boring and difficult as dealing with bureaucracy sounds, obtaining a building permit for your paver patio is a very straightforward process (but that might vary by location).
The first thing you should do is look for the building permit authority’s website and find out what kind of information you need to bring them. Your next step is to complete an application in person or online if possible.
After that, you need to prepare the site plan for the project and schedule an appointment for its approval (which might take several days if corrections and revisions are required) to finally get the building permit.
As construction is performed, you will also have to schedule regular inspections to ensure the work is being done according to your plans and the project is safe.
Paver Installation
Whether you end up choosing porcelain or concrete pavers for your patio, their installation can be a fun DIY project. The process, however, might be very time consuming as there is a lot of steps that need to be taken in order to build the paver patio of your dreams. It could also get very expensive and, since they’re long-lasting and may add a lot of value to your property, you might want to make sure everything is done as perfectly as possible.
For that reason, hiring qualified hardscaping professionals in your area is always a good choice as they can guide you through the whole process, helping you choose which stones would work best and getting their hands dirty with you. They can also help you perform deep cleanings and seal your paver patio as needed.
At S&S Pavers we understand how troublesome working with pavers can get and how important it is to work alongside experienced professionals. If you are around the Sarasota and Manatee counties, in Florida, we would be happy to provide those services for you as we’ve been offering since 2010 with excellence.
You can contact us at any time for a free estimate on our services. Give us a call right now at 941-773- 3098 or email us at sales@sspavers.com. We would be delighted to hear from you.
