Government

Permit Application Template

A permit application form is a form that collects the applicant and property owner details, the property address and parcel number, the type of permit, the project scope and value, the contractor and supporting plans so a city or county can review whether work or an activity may go ahead. This template handles building, electrical, plumbing, demolition, sign and special event permits in one intake, with plan uploads attached to the application.

Use this template — freeTry it first
20 questions
3 pages
~5 min
To fill in
Modern layout
Mobile-ready
Free
No credit card
Permit Application form beside a photo of two architects in hard hats reviewing blueprints

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Who it's for

City and county permit offices, building departments, planning and zoning staff, and small towns moving paper permit counters online.

  • Residential building permits for decks, sheds and remodels
  • Trade permits for electrical, plumbing and HVAC work
  • Sign, fence and driveway permits
  • Special event, block party and street use permits

What this template asks

Every question can be changed, removed or reordered once it's yours.

Applicant

  1. Applicant full name*

    Short text

  2. Company

    Short text

    Optional

  3. Email*

    Email

  4. Phone*

    Phone number

  5. You are the*

    Multiple choice

    • Property owner
    • Contractor
    • Architect or designer
    • Tenant
    • Event organizer
    • Other agent

  6. Property owner name

    Short text

    If different from applicant

Property and permit

  1. Property or site address*

    Long text

  2. Parcel number (APN)

    Short text

    Optional. On your property tax bill

  3. Permit type*

    Dropdown

    • Building - new construction
    • Building - addition or remodel
    • Electrical
    • Plumbing
    • Mechanical or HVAC
    • Demolition
    • Fence, deck or shed
    • Sign
    • Special event
    • Right-of-way or street use
    • Other

  4. Property use*

    Multiple choice

    • Single-family residential
    • Multi-family residential
    • Commercial
    • Industrial
    • Public land or street

  5. Description of work or activity*

    Long text

  6. Estimated project value

    Number

    Optional. Labor and materials

  7. Planned start date*

    Date

  8. Planned end date

    Date

    Optional

Contractor and documents

  1. Who is doing the work?*

    Multiple choice

    • Licensed contractor
    • Owner-builder
    • Not applicable

  2. Contractor business name

    Short text

    If applicable

  3. Contractor license number

    Short text

    If applicable

  4. Site plan, drawings or supporting documents

    File upload

    Up to 5 files. PDF preferred

  5. Type your full name to certify*

    Short text

  6. Certification*

    Checkboxes

    • I certify the information is correct and I am the owner or authorized by the owner to apply

Tips for more responses

  1. 1

    Use conditional logic to show contractor license questions only when a licensed contractor is doing the work, and event questions only for event permits.

  2. 2

    Accept site plans and drawings as private file uploads so reviewers can open them straight from the response.

  3. 3

    Use PDF templates to generate a filled permit application per submission for your review file or archive.

Questions

What should a permit application form include?

The applicant's and owner's details, the property address and parcel number (APN), the permit type, a description of the work or activity, estimated project value, start and end dates, contractor name and license number, and uploads such as site plans, drawings or a certificate of insurance.

What work usually needs a permit?

New buildings, additions, structural changes, most electrical, plumbing and gas work, demolition, and often fences, decks, signs and large events. Small cosmetic work like painting usually does not. Requirements vary a lot, so check your local building department's rules.

What is a parcel number and where do I find it?

A parcel number, often called an APN, is the ID your county assessor gives each piece of land. You can usually find it on your property tax bill or the county assessor's online map.

Is submitting this form the same as getting a permit?

No. The form starts the application; the agency reviews it, may ask for more documents or fees, and issues the permit only once it is approved. Do not start work until you have the approved permit.

Is this permit application template free?

Yes. Copy it into a free Dculus Forms account, change anything you like and start collecting responses. No credit card is needed.

Can I change the questions?

Yes. Your copy opens in the form builder, where you can add, remove and reorder questions, change the layout and add your own branding.

Where do the responses go?

Responses arrive in your Dculus Forms workspace. You can export them to Excel or CSV, send them to Google Sheets or a webhook, and get email notifications.

Can I host it myself?

Yes. Dculus Forms is open source (GPLv3), so you can run it on your own servers and keep every response in your own database.

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