when you call the building permit office, you must ask in what year of
construction if you are asking about previous work, and what is
required in today's construction for your repair permit.
due to climates and so many types of building construction the answer
you seek will be a local one.
northern mistakes made in the south:
http://www.buildingscience.com/topten/south.htm
background reading for various climate construction at:
http://www.buildingscience.com/desig...rk/default.htm

and more at:
http://www.buildingscience.com/resources/homeowner.htm