Permits
Guides across the site that deal with permits.
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Neighbors & Community
Block Parties, Street Closures, and Neighborhood Events
A block party normally needs a temporary street closure permit issued by the city, with neighbor consent, an approved traffic plan, and conditions on noise, food, and drink.
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City Hall & Public Services
Building Permits for Home Repairs and Renovations
Permits are required by the building code your state and city adopted. Structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work almost always needs one; finishes usually do not.
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City Hall & Public Services
Street Vending Licenses and Sidewalk Use Permits
Selling on a public sidewalk normally requires a vending license, compliance with distance and clear-path rules, and separate health approval for anything edible.
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Food, Drink & Regulated Retail
Opening a Food Business: Permits, Inspections, and Grades
A food business needs a health permit, and usually a plan review, a build-out inspection, and a graded opening inspection. Nearly all of it is set locally.
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Food, Drink & Regulated Retail
Liquor Licenses: Classes, Quotas, and Transfers
An alcohol license is defined by what you sell and how you serve it, limited by state quota rules, and approved or blocked at the local level before the state acts.
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Food, Drink & Regulated Retail
Cannabis Retail Licensing and Local Opt-Outs
State cannabis licensing runs on scoring, caps, and social equity criteria — and in most states a locality can prohibit retail within its borders outright.
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Animals & Pets
Wildlife on Private Property: Removal and Protected Species
Removing wildlife from a house or yard is governed by state fish and wildlife rules plus federal protection for migratory birds, eagles and listed species. Here is what is allowed.
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Events, Sport & Entertainment
Public Assembly Permits and Demonstration Rules
Cities may regulate the time, place and manner of a public gathering, but not its message. Here is what a permit scheme may lawfully require and where those rules break down.
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Events, Sport & Entertainment
Filming in Public: Permits, Releases, and Drone Rules
Handheld filming on a public sidewalk rarely needs a permit; tripods, crew and vehicles usually do. Releases come from state law and drones from the FAA.