I'm in Ohio and helping a friend out with their unfinished basement. We're planning to at least drywall the perimeter and build a wall around the hot water tank and furnace, but there won't be any plumbing or electrical work involved. Do we need a permit for this, considering it won't be a livable space?
3 Answers
It really depends on local regulations. You should definitely check with your city or county about their specific permit requirements.
From my experience in SoCal, you usually don’t need a permit for just drywalling a basement, as long as nothing that requires an inspection is being added. But, each area has its own rules, so it's best to ask your local building department!
Most likely you do need a permit. Cities have fire codes if you're constructing any walls, even if it's not for a livable space. Better safe than sorry!