I85PREP
⌘ K
ICC PT study materials
ICC PT study resources

ICC PT practice questions

One question at a time. Build your ICC PT understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Code Administration and the Permit Process

A permit technician is reviewing a residential addition application at the front counter. Which task falls within the typical scope of the permit technician role?

  1. Granting a variance from the rear-yard setback
  2. Performing the final framing inspection
  3. Designing the structural framing for the addition
  4. Screening the application for completeness Correct answer.

Explanation

Permit technicians administer intake, screen applications for completeness, calculate fees, and route applications to the proper reviewers. They do not perform design work, conduct inspections, or grant zoning relief. Those functions belong to design professionals, certified inspectors, and the board of appeals.

Question 2Code Administration and the Permit Process

Which document, once issued, generally authorizes the applicant to begin construction under the approved plans?

  1. Certificate of occupancy
  2. Building permit Correct answer.
  3. Notice of violation
  4. Certificate of completion

Explanation

A building permit authorizes construction in accordance with the approved plans and applicable codes. A certificate of occupancy is issued after the work is complete and approved for occupancy. A notice of violation alleges noncompliance, and a certificate of completion documents finished work.

Question 3Code Administration and the Permit Process

A certificate of occupancy is issued primarily to:

  1. Confirm code compliance and authorize occupancy Correct answer.
  2. Transfer ownership of the property to the permit holder
  3. Confirm that the contractor has paid all subcontractors
  4. Authorize the start of construction before plans are reviewed

Explanation

A certificate of occupancy confirms that the structure complies with applicable codes and may be lawfully occupied. It is issued after required inspections and approvals are complete. It does not convey ownership, resolve payment disputes, or authorize construction before plan review.

Question 4Code Administration and the Permit Process

An applicant submits a permit application without a required site plan. What is the most appropriate action for the permit technician?

  1. Issue the permit and request the site plan at the first inspection
  2. Forward the application to the board of appeals
  3. Return it as incomplete and list the missing items Correct answer.
  4. Deny the permit permanently without further review

Explanation

An application that lacks required submittal items is incomplete and should not be accepted for substantive review. The technician should identify the missing items in writing so the applicant can complete the submittal. Permanent denial and appeal are not appropriate responses to a correctable deficiency.

Question 5Code Administration and the Permit Process

Local adoption of the International Codes is typically accomplished by:

  1. A decision by the local fire chief alone
  2. A vote of the local contractors' association
  3. A recommendation from the permit technician staff
  4. A formal action of the governing body Correct answer.

Explanation

Building codes are adopted by the jurisdiction's governing body, such as a city council or county board, through an ordinance or resolution. Contractors' associations, individual officials, and staff may recommend changes but cannot adopt the code on their own.

Question 6Code Administration and the Permit Process

An inspector finds work performed without a required permit and in an unsafe condition. Which action is authorized?

  1. A variance approval
  2. A certificate of occupancy
  3. A temporary use permit
  4. A stop work order Correct answer.

Explanation

A stop work order directs that work halt when it is proceeding without required permits or in violation of the code. It remains in effect until the issues are corrected and the order is released. A certificate of occupancy, variance, or temporary use permit would not address unsafe unpermitted work.

Question 7Code Administration and the Permit Process

A permit fee schedule adopted by the jurisdiction is intended to:

  1. Establish the charges for permits and related inspections Correct answer.
  2. Set the wages paid to construction workers
  3. Determine the property's assessed value for taxation
  4. Replace the need for plan review

Explanation

The adopted fee schedule establishes the amounts charged for permits, plan review, and inspections. Fees are set by the governing body and are separate from wages, tax assessment, and technical review requirements. Paying a fee does not eliminate the need for plan review or inspections.

Question 8Code Administration and the Permit Process

In the codes, the acronym AHJ refers to:

  1. The Associated Home Inspectors
  2. The Appeals Hearing Judge
  3. The Authority Having Jurisdiction Correct answer.
  4. The American Housing Journal

Explanation

AHJ stands for the Authority Having Jurisdiction, the organization or individual responsible for enforcing the code. The AHJ may be a building department, fire department, or other designated official. The other terms are not code-defined roles.

Question 9Code Administration and the Permit Process

Which sequence best reflects a typical residential permitting process?

  1. Application intake, plan review, permit issuance, inspections, certificate of occupancy Correct answer.
  2. Permit issuance, application intake, plan review, certificate of occupancy, inspections
  3. Inspections, permit issuance, application intake, plan review, certificate of occupancy
  4. Plan review, certificate of occupancy, inspections, permit issuance, application intake

Explanation

The process normally begins with application intake and completeness screening, followed by plan review and permit issuance. Inspections occur during construction, and the certificate of occupancy is issued after final approval. The other sequences place completion and occupancy before the work that must precede them.

Question 10Code Administration and the Permit Process

For which of the following projects is a building permit most likely required?

  1. Installing a freestanding bookshelf
  2. Repainting interior walls in a single-family dwelling
  3. Replacing a kitchen faucet
  4. Constructing a new detached garage Correct answer.

Explanation

Permits are generally required for new structures, additions, and structural alterations. A new detached garage is a new structure and typically requires a permit. Ordinary cosmetic work, minor fixture replacement, and movable furniture generally do not require a building permit.

Question 11Code Administration and the Permit Process

A contractor asks the permit technician to resolve a disagreement about how a code section applies to their project. The technician should:

  1. Refer the question to the building official Correct answer.
  2. Issue a written variance to settle the question
  3. Ask the contractor to resubmit plans next year
  4. Tell the contractor the code section does not apply

Explanation

Code interpretations are made by the building official or another designated authority, not by administrative staff. The technician should route the question to that official and communicate the resulting interpretation. A technician cannot issue a variance or waive a code requirement.

Question 12Code Administration and the Permit Process

A permit is issued but no work begins for an extended period. Under many code administration programs, the permit may:

  1. Remain valid until the project is sold
  2. Expire after the period stated in local ordinance Correct answer.
  3. Convert into a certificate of occupancy
  4. Automatically transfer to another contractor

Explanation

Permits commonly expire if work does not commence within a specified period or if work is suspended for too long. The exact time limits are set by local ordinance or stated on the permit. Expiration requires renewal or a new permit before work may proceed.

Question 13Code Administration and the Permit Process

After a permit has been issued, the contractor changes the approved framing plan. The contractor must:

  1. Submit revised plans for review and approval Correct answer.
  2. Obtain a separate certificate of occupancy for the framing
  3. Proceed with the change and note it on the inspection card
  4. Wait until the final inspection to mention the change

Explanation

Work must conform to the approved plans, so substantive changes require revised plans to be reviewed and approved before the altered work proceeds. Noting a change on an inspection card or disclosing it later does not constitute approval. A certificate of occupancy is not issued for a framing phase.

Question 14Code Administration and the Permit Process

Before issuing a building permit to a contractor, the permit technician should verify that the contractor:

  1. Has obtained a certificate of occupancy for the project
  2. Holds the required state or local license and registration Correct answer.
  3. Has completed at least one similar project
  4. Has purchased all construction materials

Explanation

Permit issuance generally requires verification that the contractor holds the license and registration required by state or local law. Material purchases and prior project experience are not permit conditions. A certificate of occupancy cannot be issued before the project is built.

Question 15Code Administration and the Permit Process

A conditional use permit is best described as:

  1. A permit issued only after a certificate of occupancy is revoked
  2. An approval for a specific use subject to conditions Correct answer.
  3. A document that replaces the building permit
  4. A permit that allows any use in any zoning district

Explanation

A conditional use permit authorizes a specific land use that the zoning code allows only with conditions or discretionary approval. It does not replace building permits, which govern construction. It is not a blanket authorization for any use in any district.

Question 16Code Administration and the Permit Process

Which statement best distinguishes a building permit from a contractor license?

  1. A building permit is issued by the state, and a license is issued by the city
  2. A building permit authorizes a specific project, while a license authorizes a person or firm to perform work Correct answer.
  3. A building permit has no expiration, while a license always expires annually
  4. A building permit is issued to the contractor, and a license is issued to the property owner

Explanation

A building permit is project-specific and authorizes defined construction work at a particular location. A contractor license is issued to a person or firm and authorizes the licensee to perform regulated work generally. The two approvals serve different purposes and are issued under different authorities.

Question 17Code Administration and the Permit Process

A member of the public requests copies of building permit records. The permit technician should:

  1. Provide the records only after the building official approves a variance
  2. Release only records for properties owned by the requester
  3. Refuse all requests because permits are private
  4. Follow the public records policy Correct answer.

Explanation

Permit records are generally subject to the jurisdiction's public records law and policy, which governs what is disclosable and how requests are processed. The technician should follow that policy rather than refuse requests outright. A variance is unrelated to records disclosure.

Question 18Code Administration and the Permit Process

Who typically requests an inspection after a phase of work is complete?

  1. The permit holder or contractor Correct answer.
  2. The neighboring property owner
  3. The building official, automatically at each phase
  4. The board of appeals

Explanation

The permit holder or contractor is responsible for notifying the department when work is ready for inspection. Inspections are not automatically triggered by the building official, and neighbors or the board of appeals do not schedule them. The jurisdiction then assigns an inspector.

Question 19Code Administration and the Permit Process

The primary function of a local board of appeals in the code administration process is to:

  1. Perform routine field inspections
  2. Set the hourly wage for inspectors
  3. Hear appeals and grant variances Correct answer.
  4. Issue building permits to the public

Explanation

The board of appeals hears appeals of code official decisions and may grant variances or interpretations within its authority. It does not issue permits, conduct inspections, or set staff wages. Its role is quasi-judicial review of administrative determinations.

Question 20Code Administration and the Permit Process

Many jurisdictions calculate building permit fees based on:

  1. The number of windows in the structure
  2. The valuation or scope of the permitted work Correct answer.
  3. The contractor's annual revenue
  4. The assessed value set by the tax assessor

Explanation

Permit fees are commonly based on the valuation or scope of the permitted work, using a fee schedule adopted by the jurisdiction. The tax assessor's assessed value serves property taxation and is a different measure. Window counts and contractor revenue are not standard fee bases.

Question 21Code Administration and the Permit Process

A jurisdiction has approved a permit and the applicant has begun work in good faith. Which legal concept may protect the project from a later change in code requirements?

  1. Sovereign immunity
  2. Res judicata
  3. Vested rights Correct answer.
  4. Eminent domain

Explanation

Vested rights may protect a project that has progressed in good faith under an approved permit from subsequently enacted code changes. Sovereign immunity concerns government immunity from suit, eminent domain concerns takings of property, and res judicata concerns final judgments. These doctrines do not address reliance on an approved permit.

Question 22Code Administration and the Permit Process

A building official discovers that a permit was obtained using falsified plans and an altered contractor license. The building official may:

  1. Require the technician to pay the fee
  2. Issue a certificate of occupancy to close the file
  3. Convert the permit into a variance
  4. Revoke the permit Correct answer.

Explanation

A permit obtained through fraud or misrepresentation may be revoked by the building official. Revocation removes the authority to continue work under that permit. A variance is a zoning action, and a certificate of occupancy cannot be issued for noncompliant work.

Question 23Code Administration and the Permit Process

A permit is issued by a clerk who lacks authority to approve it, and the applicant has not yet started work. The permit is generally:

  1. Valid because it was issued on official letterhead
  2. Valid only until the first inspection
  3. Void because it was issued without lawful authority Correct answer.
  4. Automatically converted into a license

Explanation

An approval issued by someone without the legal authority to grant it is generally void and confers no rights to proceed. The appearance of official issuance does not cure the lack of authority. The applicant must obtain a valid permit from the proper authority.

Question 24Code Administration and the Permit Process

A property owner wants relief from a zoning setback requirement. Which body or official typically has the authority to grant that relief?

  1. The permit technician at the front counter
  2. The fire marshal
  3. The building inspector during a field visit
  4. The board of appeals or zoning board Correct answer.

Explanation

Relief from zoning standards such as setbacks is granted through a variance by the board of appeals or zoning board, as established by local ordinance. Permit technicians, inspectors, and fire marshals administer permits and codes but do not grant zoning variances. The applicant must follow the jurisdiction's formal variance procedure.

Question 25Code Administration and the Permit Process

A notice of violation is issued to a property owner. Which statement about the appeal process is most accurate?

  1. A notice of violation cannot be appealed once issued
  2. Appeals are filed directly with the contractor's licensing board
  3. The permit technician decides the final outcome of the appeal
  4. It states the appeal deadline and the appeal body Correct answer.

Explanation

A notice of violation should identify the violation and explain the appeal deadline and the body that will hear the appeal. Appeals are typically heard by the board of appeals or a designated hearing officer. The permit technician does not decide appeals, and issued notices are generally appealable within the stated period.

Question 26Code Administration and the Permit Process

What is a permit technician's primary responsibility when an applicant first submits a building permit application?

  1. Approve the structural design and issue the permit immediately.
  2. Review the application for completeness and route it to the proper reviewer. Correct answer.
  3. Perform the final inspection and issue a certificate of occupancy.
  4. Negotiate the contractor's fee for the project.

Explanation

The technician screens applications for required forms, plans, and information and forwards complete submittals to the appropriate plan reviewer or official. Technical code approvals and field inspections are outside the technician's usual authority.

Question 27Code Administration and the Permit Process

When a building official posts a stop work order at a construction site, the order generally requires that:

  1. All work cease except for measures needed to protect safety and property. Correct answer.
  2. Only the contractor's employees stop work while subcontractors continue.
  3. The owner immediately transfer the permit to a new contractor.
  4. The permit be automatically renewed for an additional year.

Explanation

A stop work order halts work until the cited condition is corrected and the official authorizes resumption. Safety-related stabilization or protective measures are typically allowed while the order is in effect.

Question 28Code Administration and the Permit Process

Before a building is demolished, a demolition permit is typically required because demolition:

  1. Automatically transfers the property's zoning to a new use.
  2. Is regulated only by the fire department and not the building department.
  3. Can affect utilities, hazardous materials, and adjacent structures. Correct answer.
  4. Is exempt from all code requirements once the building is vacant.

Explanation

Demolition permits let the jurisdiction verify disconnection of utilities, handling of hazardous materials, and protection of adjoining property. Demolition is not simply exempt because the building is vacant.

Question 29Code Administration and the Permit Process

What is the main purpose of plan review before a building permit is issued?

  1. To determine which contractor will be awarded the project.
  2. To replace the need for field inspections after construction.
  3. To set the final sale price of the completed building.
  4. To check proposed work for code compliance before construction. Correct answer.

Explanation

Plan review identifies code deficiencies on paper so they can be corrected before construction. It supplements, but does not replace, inspections during construction.

Question 30Code Administration and the Permit Process

Why must an approved set of plans and the permit be available at the job site while work is in progress?

  1. To permit the utility company to set the final connection date.
  2. To satisfy the contractor's liability insurance carrier only.
  3. To allow the owner to advertise the project to the public.
  4. So inspectors can compare the work with what was approved. Correct answer.

Explanation

Field inspections compare installed work with the approved documents and permit scope. Keeping them on site supports that verification and code enforcement.

Question 31Code Administration and the Permit Process

A final inspection is conducted mainly to:

  1. Confirm that the property owner has signed a sales contract.
  2. Establish the property's assessed value for taxation.
  3. Verify that all permitted work is complete and code compliant. Correct answer.
  4. Determine whether the contractor has been paid in full.

Explanation

The final inspection confirms that the permitted scope has been completed and that the work complies with the approved plans and code. Approval of the final inspection commonly precedes issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

Question 32Code Administration and the Permit Process

The building official is generally responsible for:

  1. Setting the contractor's hourly labor rates.
  2. Designing the structural systems for permit applicants.
  3. Representing contractors in disputes with property owners.
  4. Administering and enforcing the adopted building code. Correct answer.

Explanation

The building official administers and enforces the code, including permit issuance, inspection, and interpretation. Design and pricing are the responsibility of the applicant's design and construction team.

Question 33Code Administration and the Permit Process

An applicant submits a building permit application without the required site plan. The permit technician should:

  1. Reject the application permanently and close the file.
  2. Notify the applicant of the missing item and hold the file until complete. Correct answer.
  3. Approve the application based on the contractor's verbal description of the site.
  4. Issue the permit and add the site plan as a condition of the final inspection.

Explanation

A permit cannot be properly reviewed or issued until the submittal includes the information required by the jurisdiction. The technician should identify deficiencies and allow the applicant to complete the application.

Question 34Code Administration and the Permit Process

Which statement best describes the difference between a zoning permit and a building permit?

  1. Zoning addresses land use and site standards; building permits address construction compliance. Correct answer.
  2. The two permits are identical and either one authorizes all work.
  3. A zoning permit authorizes construction methods, while a building permit regulates land use.
  4. A building permit is issued only after a certificate of occupancy is issued.

Explanation

Zoning controls use, density, setbacks, and similar land-use matters. The building permit focuses on construction, structural, and life-safety code compliance.

Question 35Code Administration and the Permit Process

Under many residential code programs, a property owner may obtain a building permit for construction on the owner's own single-family residence if the owner:

  1. Occupies or maintains the home and meets code requirements. Correct answer.
  2. Agrees to waive all inspections for the project.
  3. Obtains a real estate license before applying.
  4. Hires an unlicensed contractor to perform all work.

Explanation

Owner-builder permits are commonly allowed for a homeowner's own residence, but the work must still comply with the code and be inspected. The exemption is from contractor licensing, not from permitting or code requirements.

Question 36Code Administration and the Permit Process

A temporary certificate of occupancy is typically issued to:

  1. Allow the contractor to avoid a final inspection.
  2. Permanently waive all remaining code requirements.
  3. Allow limited occupancy before all work is finished. Correct answer.
  4. Transfer ownership of the property to the tenant.

Explanation

A temporary certificate of occupancy authorizes occupancy under specified conditions and for a limited time while outstanding items are completed. It does not eliminate the requirement to finish the work and obtain a final certificate.

Question 37Code Administration and the Permit Process

What is a deferred submittal in the permit process?

  1. An application submitted before the property is purchased.
  2. A request to postpone payment of the permit fee indefinitely.
  3. A final inspection that is postponed until after occupancy.
  4. A design component reviewed after the main permit is issued. Correct answer.

Explanation

Deferred submittals allow designated design elements to be reviewed later under conditions set by the building official. They do not remove the need for review and approval before installation.

Question 38Code Administration and the Permit Process

When the contractor of record changes on an active permit, the jurisdiction generally requires:

  1. Notice and approval of the new contractor, who accepts responsibility. Correct answer.
  2. The original contractor to complete all remaining work without compensation.
  3. The property owner to perform the remaining work personally.
  4. A new building permit application with full plan review in every case.

Explanation

Most jurisdictions require the permit to be updated to identify the new contractor and confirm that the new contractor accepts responsibility. The building official determines whether additional review or fees apply.

Question 39Code Administration and the Permit Process

When a property with an active building permit is sold, the permit:

  1. Must be reissued as a new permit with original plan review fees.
  2. Automatically transfers to the buyer's contractor without any notice.
  3. Automatically becomes invalid and all work must stop permanently.
  4. Continues only if transfer or renewal rules are met. Correct answer.

Explanation

Permits are typically tied to the approved scope and responsible parties, and transfer rules vary by jurisdiction. The buyer should confirm with the building department whether a transfer, renewal, or new application is required.

Question 40Code Administration and the Permit Process

What is the main benefit of a pre-application meeting with the permit department?

  1. It replaces the need for a licensed design professional.
  2. It identifies requirements and issues before formal submittal. Correct answer.
  3. It guarantees that the permit will be issued without plan review.
  4. It allows the applicant to begin construction before paying fees.

Explanation

Pre-application meetings help applicants understand submittal requirements, applicable codes, and review processes. They do not waive review, fees, or licensing requirements.

Question 41Code Administration and the Permit Process

A project is proposed in a mapped special flood hazard area. In addition to the building permit, the applicant typically must:

  1. Obtain only a demolition permit because floodplain rules replace building codes.
  2. Prove that flood insurance is unavailable before any permit can be issued.
  3. Obtain floodplain approval and meet floodplain construction standards. Correct answer.
  4. Receive a variance from the state building code automatically.

Explanation

Development in flood hazard areas usually requires a separate floodplain permit or approval and compliance with elevation and floodproofing standards. Building code requirements still apply.

Question 42Code Administration and the Permit Process

A business wants to install a large new freestanding sign. The permit technician should advise that the project may require:

  1. Only a business license, because signs are not regulated by permits.
  2. A certificate of occupancy before the sign can be fabricated.
  3. A demolition permit for the existing landscaping.
  4. A sign permit plus compliance with zoning sign standards. Correct answer.

Explanation

Sign permits commonly address size, height, placement, and structural requirements. Zoning rules often regulate sign dimensions and location separately from building code requirements.

Question 43Code Administration and the Permit Process

For a new commercial building with a fire sprinkler system, the permit process typically requires:

  1. The fire sprinkler plans to be reviewed only after the system is installed.
  2. The sprinkler contractor to obtain a certificate of occupancy before installing the system.
  3. The building permit to cover all fire protection work without separate review.
  4. A separate fire protection permit and fire code review. Correct answer.

Explanation

Fire protection systems are often permitted and inspected separately, with review by the fire code official or a designated reviewer. Approval is needed before installation, not after.

Question 44Code Administration and the Permit Process

A permit technician discovers that a contractor's license was suspended after a permit was issued. The technician should:

  1. Ignore the suspension because the permit has already been issued.
  2. Immediately issue a certificate of occupancy to close the permit.
  3. Cancel the permit and prohibit the owner from hiring another contractor.
  4. Refer the matter to the building official for review. Correct answer.

Explanation

The building official must determine how to proceed when a permit holder becomes ineligible, including whether work may continue under another qualified contractor. The technician should not make that legal determination independently.

Question 45Code Administration and the Permit Process

If an owner refuses to allow an inspector to enter a property for a required inspection, the building official may generally:

  1. Permanently approve the work without conducting the inspection.
  2. Enter the property forcibly without any legal authorization.
  3. Revoke the contractor's state license immediately.
  4. Seek an administrative warrant or other legal process. Correct answer.

Explanation

Code officials typically must obtain consent or a warrant before entering private property over an owner's objection. Forcible entry without legal authority is not permitted, and the work cannot be approved without inspection.

Question 46Code Administration and the Permit Process

What is the purpose of a severability clause in a building code?

  1. It requires all code sections to be adopted or rejected as a single package.
  2. It automatically repeals local amendments that conflict with the model code.
  3. It keeps remaining provisions effective if one is held invalid. Correct answer.
  4. It allows the building official to waive any code section at will.

Explanation

A severability clause prevents a single invalid provision from invalidating the entire code. It does not give officials authority to waive requirements.

Question 47Code Administration and the Permit Process

An applicant appeals a building official's decision to the board of appeals. What is the general effect of filing the appeal on enforcement?

  1. The appeal automatically cancels the permit and requires a new application.
  2. The appeal automatically reverses the building official's decision.
  3. Stayed only as the board orders; unsafe conditions may proceed. Correct answer.
  4. Enforcement automatically stops for all projects in the jurisdiction.

Explanation

Filing an appeal does not ordinarily suspend enforcement unless the board grants a stay. The board may allow immediate action to correct unsafe conditions.

Question 48Code Administration and the Permit Process

A permit technician receives a subpoena demanding copies of building permit records for a lawsuit. The technician should:

  1. Ignore the subpoena because permit records are confidential.
  2. Delete the records to protect the applicant's privacy.
  3. Route it to legal counsel and follow legal-hold procedures. Correct answer.
  4. Provide the records only to the contractor named on the permit.

Explanation

Subpoenas and litigation trigger legal review and records-preservation obligations. Permit staff should follow legal counsel's direction rather than independently releasing, withholding, or destroying records.

Question 49Code Administration and the Permit Process

An applicant submits structural plans sealed by an architect licensed in another state. The permit technician should:

  1. Remove the seal and issue the permit under the contractor's name.
  2. Verify the professional's authority to practice and refer for review. Correct answer.
  3. Reject the plans because out-of-state seals are never acceptable.
  4. Approve the plans without review because a seal is present.

Explanation

Many jurisdictions require design professionals to be licensed or authorized to practice in the state where the project is located. The technician should confirm eligibility and route the plans to the appropriate reviewer.

Question 50Code Administration and the Permit Process

A building permit is issued for a residential addition, but the owner does not begin any work within the period allowed by the local code and never requests an extension. Under typical code provisions, the permit will:

  1. renew automatically for one additional year
  2. lapse and become invalid Correct answer.
  3. be changed into a temporary certificate of occupancy
  4. stay in effect until the project is finished

Explanation

Most building codes provide that a permit expires if work does not begin within a set period after issuance, commonly 180 days, or if work is suspended for a similar period. Once a permit lapses, work cannot lawfully proceed under it and a new permit must be applied for and issued. Extensions are generally available only if the applicant requests one before the deadline passes.