Building permit rejected? What to do next
"Rejected" can mean three very different things at a building department, and most of the time it isn't a final no. Here's how to tell which one you have and what to do next.
Which kind of "rejected" do you have?
| What happened | What it usually looks like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The application wasn't accepted (incomplete submittal) | A notice that forms, fees, documents or required sheets are missing. No plan review has happened yet. | Supply what's missing and submit again. Use the department's submittal checklist. |
| Plan check corrections (the most common) | A status like "corrections required," "revisions required" or "not approved," with a list of numbered comments. | Answer every comment, revise and cloud the plans, and resubmit. This is a normal part of getting a permit. |
| A denial | A written decision that the project can't be approved as proposed, often for a zoning or planning reason. | Redesign, apply for the planning approval or variance it needs, or appeal. |
If your portal only shows a status, ask for the comments. You need the specific reasons to fix them.
What the building code says
- You're entitled to the reasons. The model building codes say that when an application or its plans don't meet the code, the building official rejects it in writing and states the reasons (IRC R105.3.1, IBC 105.3.1).
- Applications can expire. An application is considered abandoned 180 days after filing unless it's being pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued. The building official can grant extensions when you ask in writing and show a good reason (IRC R105.3.2). Many departments set their own deadlines, so don't let a correction letter sit.
- Decisions can be appealed. The model codes set up a board of appeals for decisions of the building official (IRC R112, IBC 113).
States and cities adopt these codes with their own changes and numbering, so check the version your jurisdiction uses.
If you got plan check corrections
- Read every comment and sort them: drawing changes, documents to attach, engineering, and questions for the reviewer. Our guide to responding to plan check corrections walks through this.
- Revise the plans and mark every change with revision clouds and deltas.
- Write a response letter that answers every item and says where to find the change. Use our response letter template.
- Resubmit the complete package the way your department asks for it. Some, like the Town of Danville, treat a resubmittal without a response letter as incomplete.
Got a correction letter right now?Upload it and get every item explained in plain English, a drafted response, clouded plans and a checklist. Free during early access.
Answer my correctionsCommon reasons permits get sent back
- Missing information: dimensions, setbacks, product specification sheets, details or notes.
- Sheets that disagree with each other, like a size on the site plan that doesn't match the floor plan.
- Missing engineering, such as structural calculations or a stamped detail.
- Missing energy or other state forms, like Title 24 documentation in California.
- Zoning problems, such as setbacks, height or lot coverage.
- Existing work without permits that shows up on the plans.
See common plan check corrections for what reviewers write most often by permit type, including solar and ADUs.
If you disagree with the decision
- Talk to the reviewer first. Ask what they need to see. Many disagreements are misunderstandings that a call or a short meeting settles.
- Put your position in writing in the response letter, citing the code section and edition that supports it.
- Ask for a supervisor or the building official if you still can't agree.
- Appeal as a last step. Building code appeals usually have to argue that the code was interpreted incorrectly, doesn't apply, or that you're proposing an equally good alternative, and boards generally can't waive code requirements. Deadlines are short and set locally, so ask about them right away. Zoning and planning denials go through a separate appeal process, usually to the planning commission or city council.
Avoiding it next time
- Use the department's submittal checklist, and its standard plans or handouts for your permit type.
- Ask about a pre-application meeting for larger or unusual projects.
- Attach specification sheets and installation instructions for the main products.
- Check that every sheet agrees with the others before you submit.
- Bring in a licensed designer or engineer early when the work needs one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a building permit be denied?
Yes, but outright denials are much less common than corrections. A permit is denied when the work can't be approved as designed, for example because zoning doesn't allow it. Most "rejections" are requests to fix or add information, and the permit is approved once you answer them.
How many times can I resubmit?
Most departments allow several rounds of review. Many charge additional plan review fees after a set number of rechecks, so check your department's fee schedule and try to answer every comment completely the first time.
Does a rejected application expire?
It can. Under the model building codes, an application is considered abandoned 180 days after filing unless it's being pursued in good faith, and the building official can grant extensions when asked in writing with a good reason. Many departments set their own deadlines, so check yours.
Should I hire someone to fix it?
If the comments ask for engineering, structural calculations or a licensed designer's work, yes, you'll need that professional. For missing information, unclear drawings and forms, many contractors and owner-builders handle the response themselves.