💥 Demolition / Teardown
Demolishing all or part of a structure — full teardown, interior strip-out, or selective demolition.
Permit requirements for Demolition / Teardown differ by state and city. The table below summarizes the rule in each covered state — open a state for full detail, fees, and official sources.
| State | Permit? | Authority | Typical fee | Timeline | Go / No-Go | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the city or county building department. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for older homes before work begins. Unincorporated areas are permitted by the county. |
| Texas | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Texas is home-rule: cities issue the permit under their locally adopted code, while unincorporated areas are permitted by the county. Demolition permits often require utility disconnects and, for older homes, asbestos/lead clearance before work begins. |
| Florida | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the city or county building department under the Florida Building Code. Demolition permits commonly require utility disconnects and, for older homes, asbestos/lead clearance before work begins. |
| New York | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the city or county building department under the Uniform Code / Residential Code of NY State. Demolition permits commonly require utility disconnects and, for older homes, asbestos/lead clearance. NYC files demolition through DOB NOW. |
| Pennsylvania | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the municipality; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the municipality under the PA UCC. Demolition permits commonly require utility disconnects and, for older homes, asbestos/lead clearance before work begins. Philadelphia files through L&I. |
| Illinois | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the municipality; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the municipality. Illinois has no statewide building code, so Chicago and other cities issue the permit under their locally adopted code; unincorporated areas are permitted by the county. Demolition permits often require utility disconnects and, for older homes, asbestos/lead clearance. |
| Ohio | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the city or county building department under the Ohio Residential Code. Demolition permits commonly require utility disconnects and, for older homes, asbestos/lead clearance before work begins. Columbus processes through Building & Zoning Services. |
| Georgia | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the city or county building department under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes. Demolition permits commonly require utility disconnects and, for older homes, asbestos/lead clearance before work begins. Atlanta processes through the Office of Buildings. |
| North Carolina | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the city or county building department under the NC State Building Code. Demolition permits commonly require utility disconnects and, for older homes, asbestos/lead clearance before work begins. Charlotte (Mecklenburg) and Raleigh issue through their permitting offices. |
| Michigan | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the city or county building department under the Michigan Residential Code. Demolition permits commonly require utility disconnects and, for older homes, asbestos/lead clearance before work begins. Detroit issues through its permits office. |
| New Jersey | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the municipality; verify with the local Construction Code Official. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (construction) permit from the local Construction Code Official under New Jersey’s Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23). Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| Virginia | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (building) permit from the local building inspections department under the Uniform Statewide Building Code. Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| Washington | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (building) permit from the city under the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-51). Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| Arizona | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing city. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a building/demolition permit from the city or county building department (Phoenix and Tucson issue them). Permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects and, for structures built before 1978, an asbestos/lead-paint survey before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| Massachusetts | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; set by the issuing city. | — | Generally allowed | A full or partial structural demolition (house, garage) requires a building permit from the local building department, plus utility disconnects, asbestos/lead-paint clearance for older homes, and an erosion/sediment or noise/dust plan as applicable. Verify with your city (Boston ISD or Worcester Building & Zoning). |
| Tennessee | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (building) permit from the local building department under the Tennessee Residential Code. Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| Indiana | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the local building department. | — | Generally allowed | A full or partial structural demolition (including tearing down a house or detached garage) requires a demolition permit from the local building department, with utility disconnects, asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes, and erosion/sediment controls as applicable. Verify locally (e.g., Indianapolis BNS). |
| Missouri | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set locally by the municipality; verify with the city building department. | Varies by municipality — typically 1–3 weeks for review and utility disconnect. | Generally allowed | Full or structural demolition requires a building permit from the local building department. A pre-demolition asbestos and lead-paint survey is generally required, and all utilities must be disconnected. Interior non-structural demolition may be exempt where it does not affect structure or egress — verify with your city. |
| Maryland | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city. | — | Generally allowed | A full or partial structural demolition (house, garage) requires a demolition permit from the local building department, with utility disconnects, asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes, and erosion/sediment controls as applicable. Verify with Baltimore DHCD or Annapolis. |
| Wisconsin | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the municipality; verify with the local building inspection department. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (building) permit from the municipal building inspection department under the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code. Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| Alaska | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; set by the municipality. | — | Generally allowed | A demolition permit is required before tearing down a house or attached structure. Municipalities require utility disconnects (electric, gas, water, sewer) and an asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before demolition; Anchorage issues demolition permits through Development Services. |
| Alabama | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; set by the issuing city or county. | — | Generally allowed | A demolition permit is required before tearing down a house or attached structure. Local building departments require utility disconnects (electric, gas, water, sewer) and an asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before demolition. |
| Arkansas | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; Little Rock minimum building-permit fee $50 (work over $5,000 or requiring inspection). | — | Generally allowed | A demolition permit is required before tearing down a house or attached structure. Local building departments require utility disconnects (electric, gas, water, sewer) and an asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before demolition. |
| Colorado | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; set by the issuing city/county. | — | Generally allowed | A demolition permit is required before tearing down a house or attached structure. Local building departments require utility disconnects (electric, gas, water, sewer) and an asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before demolition. Mountain/WUI communities may add fire-safety rules for demolition debris. |
| Connecticut | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit from the city/town building department. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority (city/town building department) for your specific property. |
| Delaware | Permit required | county | Demolition permit fee set by the county (unincorporated) or city. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a building/demolition permit from the county (unincorporated areas) or city building department. Permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects and, for structures built before 1978, an asbestos/lead-paint survey before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| Hawaii | Permit required | county | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Iowa | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Idaho | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Kansas | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Kentucky | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Louisiana | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Maine | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the municipality (valuation- or flat-based); verify with the Code Enforcement Officer. | Varies by municipality — typically 1–3 weeks for review and utility-disconnect coordination. | Generally allowed | Full or structural demolition of a building requires a permit from the local Code Enforcement Officer. A pre-demolition asbestos and lead-paint survey is generally required, and all utilities (electric, water, gas, sewer) must be disconnected by the serving utility before work begins. Interior non-structural demolition (e.g., removing non-load-bearing walls inside) may be exempt where it does not affect structure, egress, or MUBEC compliance — verify with the CEO. |
| Minnesota | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the municipality; verify with the local building department. | Varies by municipality — typically 1–3 weeks for review and utility disconnect. | Generally allowed | Full or structural demolition requires a building permit from the local building department. A pre-demolition asbestos and lead-paint survey is generally required, and all utilities must be disconnected before work. Interior non-structural demolition (removing non-load-bearing partitions) may be exempt where it does not affect structure, egress, or code compliance — verify locally. |
| Mississippi | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Municipalities require utility disconnects (electric, gas, water, sewer) and, for pre-1978 homes, an asbestos/lead-paint clearance before demolition. |
| Montana | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Municipalities require utility disconnects (electric, gas, water, sewer) and, for pre-1978 homes, an asbestos/lead-paint clearance before demolition. |
| North Dakota | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Municipalities require utility disconnects (electric, gas, water, sewer) and, for pre-1978 homes, an asbestos/lead-paint clearance before demolition. |
| Nebraska | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Municipalities require utility disconnects (electric, gas, water, sewer) and, for pre-1978 homes, an asbestos/lead-paint clearance before demolition. |
| New Hampshire | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| New Mexico | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Nevada | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property (Clark County, City of Reno, or your city/county). |
| Oklahoma | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Oregon | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Rhode Island | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| South Carolina | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| South Dakota | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| Utah | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (building) permit from the city under the Utah Construction Code. Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| Vermont | Conditional | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority where a building department enforces; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit where the town enforces a building code (e.g., Burlington). In opt-out towns a demolition may not require a state/local building permit, but utility disconnects and zoning still apply. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| West Virginia | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (building) permit from the city under the West Virginia State Building Code. Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| Wyoming | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city where a building department enforces; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (building) permit where the city enforces a building code (e.g., Cheyenne). Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Much unincorporated county land has no building permit at all. |
Frequently asked questions
Does a demolition / teardown need a permit?
In most U.S. jurisdictions a demolition / teardown requires a building or trade permit because it affects structure, safety, or utilities. Requirements vary by state and city, so confirm with your local building department using the state and county pages on this site.
Who issues the permit for a demolition / teardown?
Issuance depends on the project and locality: some are handled by the city building department, others by the county, and a few by the state. The state and county pages list the responsible authority with links to the official source.
What is typically exempt when installing a demolition / teardown?
Minor or cosmetic work is often exempt, but the thresholds differ by jurisdiction. Some states exempt small structures under a height or area limit, while others require a permit for any electrical or plumbing connection. Check the specific state and county rules rather than assuming a blanket exemption.
How much does a demolition / teardown permit cost?
Fees are set locally and range widely — from a flat residential fee to a percentage of project value. Where an official fee schedule is published we list it; otherwise confirm the current fee with the issuing authority before you apply.