Get matched with top shelter or outbuilding builders in your area

Most municipalities require a building permit before you install a tornado shelter. That paperwork proves your shelter meets all safety and construction rules—including FEMA P-361 and P-320 guidelines—for extreme weather. Permit fees start at $50 and can run up to $100. 

Check with your local building department first so you know exactly which forms to file, how long approval takes, and whether any extra inspections or fees apply.

Pre-built shelters keep costs down and install in just a few hours, so you’re protected sooner. Because they arrive fully engineered, you skip most on-site construction fees but still get a unit tested to stand up to severe weather. Models come in several sizes and materials, letting you pick the option that best fits your family and budget while still meeting FEMA standards.

A pre-built shelter goes in within four to eight hours. Custom builds—especially ones that need excavation—can stretch into days or even weeks because crews have to prep the site, pour concrete, and assemble the structure piece by piece. The longer timeline simply reflects the extra work needed to hit strict safety standards.

Plan on at least six square feet per person for tornado protection and 10 square feet per person if you also want hurricane coverage. For example, a 5-by-6-foot shelter comfortably fits a family of five. Add extra room for emergency supplies so everyone can move around safely during a long weather event. Enough space keeps your family both protected and comfortable.

If you live where tornadoes or hurricanes are common, a storm shelter isn’t a luxury—it’s a must-have. The reinforced walls guard against high winds and flying debris, giving your family a secure place to ride out the worst weather. Adding one is an investment in peace of mind every storm season.