diff --git a/packages/builder/src/components/backend/DataTable/modals/EditRoles.svelte b/packages/builder/src/components/backend/DataTable/modals/EditRoles.svelte
index d8f094b3cb..9b82c2047e 100644
--- a/packages/builder/src/components/backend/DataTable/modals/EditRoles.svelte
+++ b/packages/builder/src/components/backend/DataTable/modals/EditRoles.svelte
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
   import ErrorsBox from "components/common/ErrorsBox.svelte"
   import { backendUiStore } from "builderStore"
 
-  let permissions = []
+  let basePermissions = []
   let selectedRole = {}
   let errors = []
   let builtInRoles = ["Admin", "Power", "Basic", "Public"]
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@
   )
   $: isCreating = selectedRoleId == null || selectedRoleId === ""
 
-  const fetchPermissions = async () => {
-    const permissionsResponse = await api.get("/api/permissions")
-    permissions = await permissionsResponse.json()
+  const fetchBasePermissions = async () => {
+    const permissionsResponse = await api.get("/api/permission/builtin")
+    basePermissions = await permissionsResponse.json()
   }
 
   // Changes the selected role
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
     }
   }
 
-  onMount(fetchPermissions)
+  onMount(fetchBasePermissions)
 </script>
 
 <ModalContent
@@ -121,11 +121,11 @@
     <Select
       thin
       secondary
-      label="Permissions"
+      label="Base Permissions"
       bind:value={selectedRole.permissionId}>
       <option value="">Choose permissions</option>
-      {#each permissions as permission}
-        <option value={permission._id}>{permission.name}</option>
+      {#each basePermissions as basePerm}
+        <option value={basePerm._id}>{basePerm.name}</option>
       {/each}
     </Select>
   {/if}
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/hosting.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/hosting.js
index 1d1884eb52..280d24d378 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/hosting.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/hosting.js
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ exports.fetchInfo = async ctx => {
 }
 
 exports.save = async ctx => {
+  console.trace("DID A SAVE!")
   const db = new CouchDB(BUILDER_CONFIG_DB)
   const { type } = ctx.request.body
   if (type === HostingTypes.CLOUD && ctx.request.body._rev) {
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/permission.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/permission.js
index a2715a5363..1e6bd1869c 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/permission.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/permission.js
@@ -1,6 +1,154 @@
-const { BUILTIN_PERMISSIONS } = require("../../utilities/security/permissions")
+const {
+  BUILTIN_PERMISSIONS,
+  PermissionLevels,
+  higherPermission,
+} = require("../../utilities/security/permissions")
+const {
+  isBuiltin,
+  getDBRoleID,
+  getExternalRoleID,
+  BUILTIN_ROLES,
+} = require("../../utilities/security/roles")
+const { getRoleParams } = require("../../db/utils")
+const CouchDB = require("../../db")
+const { cloneDeep } = require("lodash/fp")
 
-exports.fetch = async function(ctx) {
-  // TODO: need to build out custom permissions
+const PermissionUpdateType = {
+  REMOVE: "remove",
+  ADD: "add",
+}
+
+// utility function to stop this repetition - permissions always stored under roles
+async function getAllDBRoles(db) {
+  const body = await db.allDocs(
+    getRoleParams(null, {
+      include_docs: true,
+    })
+  )
+  return body.rows.map(row => row.doc)
+}
+
+async function updatePermissionOnRole(
+  appId,
+  { roleId, resourceId, level },
+  updateType
+) {
+  const db = new CouchDB(appId)
+  const remove = updateType === PermissionUpdateType.REMOVE
+  const isABuiltin = isBuiltin(roleId)
+  const dbRoleId = getDBRoleID(roleId)
+  const dbRoles = await getAllDBRoles(db)
+  const docUpdates = []
+
+  // the permission is for a built in, make sure it exists
+  if (isABuiltin && !dbRoles.some(role => role._id === dbRoleId)) {
+    const builtin = cloneDeep(BUILTIN_ROLES[roleId])
+    builtin._id = getDBRoleID(builtin._id)
+    dbRoles.push(builtin)
+  }
+
+  // now try to find any roles which need updated, e.g. removing the
+  // resource from another role and then adding to the new role
+  for (let role of dbRoles) {
+    let updated = false
+    const rolePermissions = role.permissions ? role.permissions : {}
+    // handle the removal/updating the role which has this permission first
+    // the updating (role._id !== dbRoleId) is required because a resource/level can
+    // only be permitted in a single role (this reduces hierarchy confusion and simplifies
+    // the general UI for this, rather than needing to show everywhere it is used)
+    if (
+      (role._id !== dbRoleId || remove) &&
+      rolePermissions[resourceId] === level
+    ) {
+      delete rolePermissions[resourceId]
+      updated = true
+    }
+    // handle the adding, we're on the correct role, at it to this
+    if (!remove && role._id === dbRoleId) {
+      rolePermissions[resourceId] = level
+      updated = true
+    }
+    // handle the update, add it to bulk docs to perform at end
+    if (updated) {
+      role.permissions = rolePermissions
+      docUpdates.push(role)
+    }
+  }
+
+  const response = await db.bulkDocs(docUpdates)
+  return response.map(resp => {
+    resp._id = getExternalRoleID(resp.id)
+    delete resp.id
+    return resp
+  })
+}
+
+exports.fetchBuiltin = function(ctx) {
   ctx.body = Object.values(BUILTIN_PERMISSIONS)
 }
+
+exports.fetchLevels = function(ctx) {
+  // for now only provide the read/write perms externally
+  ctx.body = [PermissionLevels.WRITE, PermissionLevels.READ]
+}
+
+exports.fetch = async function(ctx) {
+  const db = new CouchDB(ctx.appId)
+  const roles = await getAllDBRoles(db)
+  let permissions = {}
+  // create an object with structure role ID -> resource ID -> level
+  for (let role of roles) {
+    if (role.permissions) {
+      const roleId = getExternalRoleID(role._id)
+      if (permissions[roleId] == null) {
+        permissions[roleId] = {}
+      }
+      for (let [resource, level] of Object.entries(role.permissions)) {
+        permissions[roleId][resource] = higherPermission(
+          permissions[roleId][resource],
+          level
+        )
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  ctx.body = permissions
+}
+
+exports.getResourcePerms = async function(ctx) {
+  const resourceId = ctx.params.resourceId
+  const db = new CouchDB(ctx.appId)
+  const body = await db.allDocs(
+    getRoleParams(null, {
+      include_docs: true,
+    })
+  )
+  const roles = body.rows.map(row => row.doc)
+  const resourcePerms = {}
+  for (let role of roles) {
+    // update the various roleIds in the resource permissions
+    if (role.permissions && role.permissions[resourceId]) {
+      const roleId = getExternalRoleID(role._id)
+      resourcePerms[roleId] = higherPermission(
+        resourcePerms[roleId],
+        role.permissions[resourceId]
+      )
+    }
+  }
+  ctx.body = resourcePerms
+}
+
+exports.addPermission = async function(ctx) {
+  ctx.body = await updatePermissionOnRole(
+    ctx.appId,
+    ctx.params,
+    PermissionUpdateType.ADD
+  )
+}
+
+exports.removePermission = async function(ctx) {
+  ctx.body = await updatePermissionOnRole(
+    ctx.appId,
+    ctx.params,
+    PermissionUpdateType.REMOVE
+  )
+}
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/role.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/role.js
index f20ca26dd7..59afcc06de 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/role.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/role.js
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 const CouchDB = require("../../db")
 const {
   BUILTIN_ROLES,
+  BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS,
   Role,
   getRole,
+  isBuiltin,
+  getExternalRoleID,
 } = require("../../utilities/security/roles")
 const {
   generateRoleID,
@@ -16,6 +19,14 @@ const UpdateRolesOptions = {
   REMOVED: "removed",
 }
 
+// exclude internal roles like builder
+const EXTERNAL_BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS = [
+  BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.ADMIN,
+  BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.POWER,
+  BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.BASIC,
+  BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.PUBLIC,
+]
+
 async function updateRolesOnUserTable(db, roleId, updateOption) {
   const table = await db.get(ViewNames.USERS)
   const schema = table.schema
@@ -46,16 +57,22 @@ exports.fetch = async function(ctx) {
       include_docs: true,
     })
   )
-  const customRoles = body.rows.map(row => row.doc)
+  const roles = body.rows.map(row => row.doc)
 
-  // exclude internal roles like builder
-  const staticRoles = [
-    BUILTIN_ROLES.ADMIN,
-    BUILTIN_ROLES.POWER,
-    BUILTIN_ROLES.BASIC,
-    BUILTIN_ROLES.PUBLIC,
-  ]
-  ctx.body = [...staticRoles, ...customRoles]
+  // need to combine builtin with any DB record of them (for sake of permissions)
+  for (let builtinRoleId of EXTERNAL_BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS) {
+    const builtinRole = BUILTIN_ROLES[builtinRoleId]
+    const dbBuiltin = roles.filter(
+      dbRole => getExternalRoleID(dbRole._id) === builtinRoleId
+    )[0]
+    if (dbBuiltin == null) {
+      roles.push(builtinRole)
+    } else {
+      dbBuiltin._id = getExternalRoleID(dbBuiltin._id)
+      roles.push(Object.assign(builtinRole, dbBuiltin))
+    }
+  }
+  ctx.body = roles
 }
 
 exports.find = async function(ctx) {
@@ -67,6 +84,8 @@ exports.save = async function(ctx) {
   let { _id, name, inherits, permissionId } = ctx.request.body
   if (!_id) {
     _id = generateRoleID()
+  } else if (isBuiltin(_id)) {
+    ctx.throw(400, "Cannot update builtin roles.")
   }
   const role = new Role(_id, name)
     .addPermission(permissionId)
@@ -84,6 +103,9 @@ exports.save = async function(ctx) {
 exports.destroy = async function(ctx) {
   const db = new CouchDB(ctx.user.appId)
   const roleId = ctx.params.roleId
+  if (isBuiltin(roleId)) {
+    ctx.throw(400, "Cannot delete builtin role.")
+  }
   // first check no users actively attached to role
   const users = (
     await db.allDocs(
@@ -94,7 +116,7 @@ exports.destroy = async function(ctx) {
   ).rows.map(row => row.doc)
   const usersWithRole = users.filter(user => user.roleId === roleId)
   if (usersWithRole.length !== 0) {
-    ctx.throw("Cannot delete role when it is in use.")
+    ctx.throw(400, "Cannot delete role when it is in use.")
   }
 
   await db.remove(roleId, ctx.params.rev)
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/row.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/row.js
index 904dd08ed1..857d1dd2ad 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/row.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/row.js
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ async function findRow(db, appId, tableId, rowId) {
 exports.patch = async function(ctx) {
   const appId = ctx.user.appId
   const db = new CouchDB(appId)
-  let row = await db.get(ctx.params.id)
+  let row = await db.get(ctx.params.rowId)
   const table = await db.get(row.tableId)
   const patchfields = ctx.request.body
 
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ exports.save = async function(ctx) {
   // if the row obj had an _id then it will have been retrieved
   const existingRow = ctx.preExisting
   if (existingRow) {
-    ctx.params.id = row._id
+    ctx.params.rowId = row._id
     await exports.patch(ctx)
     return
   }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/index.js b/packages/server/src/api/index.js
index 5b9b51363b..7b063cb522 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/index.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/index.js
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ router.use(async (ctx, next) => {
       message: err.message,
       status: ctx.status,
     }
+    console.trace(err)
   }
 })
 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/automation.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/automation.js
index 8644c75787..3088bc521f 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/automation.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/automation.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ const {
   PermissionTypes,
 } = require("../../utilities/security/permissions")
 const Joi = require("joi")
+const { bodyResource, paramResource } = require("../../middleware/resourceId")
 
 const router = Router()
 
@@ -64,9 +65,15 @@ router
     controller.getDefinitionList
   )
   .get("/api/automations", authorized(BUILDER), controller.fetch)
-  .get("/api/automations/:id", authorized(BUILDER), controller.find)
+  .get(
+    "/api/automations/:id",
+    paramResource("id"),
+    authorized(BUILDER),
+    controller.find
+  )
   .put(
     "/api/automations",
+    bodyResource("_id"),
     authorized(BUILDER),
     generateValidator(true),
     controller.update
@@ -79,9 +86,15 @@ router
   )
   .post(
     "/api/automations/:id/trigger",
+    paramResource("id"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.AUTOMATION, PermissionLevels.EXECUTE),
     controller.trigger
   )
-  .delete("/api/automations/:id/:rev", authorized(BUILDER), controller.destroy)
+  .delete(
+    "/api/automations/:id/:rev",
+    paramResource("id"),
+    authorized(BUILDER),
+    controller.destroy
+  )
 
 module.exports = router
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/permission.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/permission.js
index 9dcec253b3..9cf5ae287e 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/permission.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/permission.js
@@ -1,10 +1,47 @@
 const Router = require("@koa/router")
 const controller = require("../controllers/permission")
 const authorized = require("../../middleware/authorized")
-const { BUILDER } = require("../../utilities/security/permissions")
+const {
+  BUILDER,
+  PermissionLevels,
+} = require("../../utilities/security/permissions")
+const Joi = require("joi")
+const joiValidator = require("../../middleware/joi-validator")
 
 const router = Router()
 
-router.get("/api/permissions", authorized(BUILDER), controller.fetch)
+function generateValidator() {
+  const permLevelArray = Object.values(PermissionLevels)
+  // prettier-ignore
+  return joiValidator.params(Joi.object({
+    level: Joi.string().valid(...permLevelArray).required(),
+    resourceId: Joi.string(),
+    roleId: Joi.string(),
+  }).unknown(true))
+}
+
+router
+  .get("/api/permission/builtin", authorized(BUILDER), controller.fetchBuiltin)
+  .get("/api/permission/levels", authorized(BUILDER), controller.fetchLevels)
+  .get("/api/permission", authorized(BUILDER), controller.fetch)
+  .get(
+    "/api/permission/:resourceId",
+    authorized(BUILDER),
+    controller.getResourcePerms
+  )
+  // adding a specific role/level for the resource overrides the underlying access control
+  .post(
+    "/api/permission/:roleId/:resourceId/:level",
+    authorized(BUILDER),
+    generateValidator(),
+    controller.addPermission
+  )
+  // deleting the level defaults it back the underlying access control for the resource
+  .delete(
+    "/api/permission/:roleId/:resourceId/:level",
+    authorized(BUILDER),
+    generateValidator(),
+    controller.removePermission
+  )
 
 module.exports = router
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/query.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/query.js
index 8a84138af5..ad71a53452 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/query.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/query.js
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@ const {
   PermissionTypes,
 } = require("../../utilities/security/permissions")
 const joiValidator = require("../../middleware/joi-validator")
+const {
+  bodyResource,
+  bodySubResource,
+  paramResource,
+} = require("../../middleware/resourceId")
 
 const router = Router()
 
@@ -50,23 +55,27 @@ router
   .get("/api/queries", authorized(BUILDER), queryController.fetch)
   .post(
     "/api/queries",
+    bodySubResource("datasourceId", "_id"),
     authorized(BUILDER),
     generateQueryValidation(),
     queryController.save
   )
   .post(
     "/api/queries/preview",
+    bodyResource("datasourceId"),
     authorized(BUILDER),
     generateQueryPreviewValidation(),
     queryController.preview
   )
   .post(
     "/api/queries/:queryId",
+    paramResource("queryId"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.QUERY, PermissionLevels.WRITE),
     queryController.execute
   )
   .delete(
     "/api/queries/:queryId/:revId",
+    paramResource("queryId"),
     authorized(BUILDER),
     queryController.destroy
   )
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/role.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/role.js
index 98ac333e17..760acaa7e7 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/role.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/role.js
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 const Router = require("@koa/router")
 const controller = require("../controllers/role")
 const authorized = require("../../middleware/authorized")
-const { BUILDER } = require("../../utilities/security/permissions")
+const {
+  BUILDER,
+  PermissionLevels,
+} = require("../../utilities/security/permissions")
 const Joi = require("joi")
 const joiValidator = require("../../middleware/joi-validator")
 const {
@@ -11,12 +14,17 @@ const {
 const router = Router()
 
 function generateValidator() {
+  const permLevelArray = Object.values(PermissionLevels)
   // prettier-ignore
   return joiValidator.body(Joi.object({
     _id: Joi.string().optional(),
     _rev: Joi.string().optional(),
     name: Joi.string().required(),
+    // this is the base permission ID (for now a built in)
     permissionId: Joi.string().valid(...Object.values(BUILTIN_PERMISSION_IDS)).required(),
+    permissions: Joi.object()
+      .pattern(/.*/, [Joi.string().valid(...permLevelArray)])
+      .optional(),
     inherits: Joi.string().optional(),
   }).unknown(true))
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/row.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/row.js
index 63964e3066..494ea61608 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/row.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/row.js
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ const Router = require("@koa/router")
 const rowController = require("../controllers/row")
 const authorized = require("../../middleware/authorized")
 const usage = require("../../middleware/usageQuota")
+const {
+  paramResource,
+  paramSubResource,
+} = require("../../middleware/resourceId")
 const {
   PermissionLevels,
   PermissionTypes,
@@ -12,37 +16,44 @@ const router = Router()
 router
   .get(
     "/api/:tableId/:rowId/enrich",
+    paramSubResource("tableId", "rowId"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.TABLE, PermissionLevels.READ),
     rowController.fetchEnrichedRow
   )
   .get(
     "/api/:tableId/rows",
+    paramResource("tableId"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.TABLE, PermissionLevels.READ),
     rowController.fetchTableRows
   )
   .get(
     "/api/:tableId/rows/:rowId",
+    paramSubResource("tableId", "rowId"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.TABLE, PermissionLevels.READ),
     rowController.find
   )
   .post(
     "/api/:tableId/rows",
+    paramResource("tableId"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.TABLE, PermissionLevels.WRITE),
     usage,
     rowController.save
   )
   .patch(
-    "/api/:tableId/rows/:id",
+    "/api/:tableId/rows/:rowId",
+    paramSubResource("tableId", "rowId"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.TABLE, PermissionLevels.WRITE),
     rowController.patch
   )
   .post(
     "/api/:tableId/rows/validate",
+    paramResource("tableId"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.TABLE, PermissionLevels.WRITE),
     rowController.validate
   )
   .delete(
     "/api/:tableId/rows/:rowId/:revId",
+    paramSubResource("tableId", "rowId"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.TABLE, PermissionLevels.WRITE),
     usage,
     rowController.destroy
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/table.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/table.js
index ef0eb7caec..da5c753b83 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/table.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/table.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 const Router = require("@koa/router")
 const tableController = require("../controllers/table")
 const authorized = require("../../middleware/authorized")
+const { paramResource, bodyResource } = require("../../middleware/resourceId")
 const {
   BUILDER,
   PermissionLevels,
@@ -13,10 +14,17 @@ router
   .get("/api/tables", authorized(BUILDER), tableController.fetch)
   .get(
     "/api/tables/:id",
+    paramResource("id"),
     authorized(PermissionTypes.TABLE, PermissionLevels.READ),
     tableController.find
   )
-  .post("/api/tables", authorized(BUILDER), tableController.save)
+  .post(
+    "/api/tables",
+    // allows control over updating a table
+    bodyResource("_id"),
+    authorized(BUILDER),
+    tableController.save
+  )
   .post(
     "/api/tables/csv/validate",
     authorized(BUILDER),
@@ -24,6 +32,7 @@ router
   )
   .delete(
     "/api/tables/:tableId/:revId",
+    paramResource("tableId"),
     authorized(BUILDER),
     tableController.destroy
   )
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/couchTestUtils.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/couchTestUtils.js
index 59a9b6a7c2..d89dce4087 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/couchTestUtils.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/couchTestUtils.js
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ const { BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS } = require("../../../utilities/security/roles")
 const packageJson = require("../../../../package")
 const jwt = require("jsonwebtoken")
 const env = require("../../../environment")
+const {
+  BUILTIN_PERMISSION_IDS,
+} = require("../../../utilities/security/permissions")
 
 const TEST_CLIENT_ID = "test-client-id"
 
@@ -37,6 +40,17 @@ exports.defaultHeaders = appId => {
   return headers
 }
 
+exports.publicHeaders = appId => {
+  const headers = {
+    Accept: "application/json",
+  }
+  if (appId) {
+    headers["x-budibase-app-id"] = appId
+  }
+
+  return headers
+}
+
 exports.BASE_TABLE = {
   name: "TestTable",
   type: "table",
@@ -70,6 +84,56 @@ exports.createTable = async (request, appId, table, removeId = true) => {
   return res.body
 }
 
+exports.makeBasicRow = tableId => {
+  return {
+    name: "Test Contact",
+    description: "original description",
+    status: "new",
+    tableId: tableId,
+  }
+}
+
+exports.createRow = async (request, appId, tableId, row = null) => {
+  row = row || exports.makeBasicRow(tableId)
+  const res = await request
+    .post(`/api/${tableId}/rows`)
+    .send(row)
+    .set(exports.defaultHeaders(appId))
+    .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+    .expect(200)
+  return res.body
+}
+
+exports.createRole = async (request, appId) => {
+  const roleBody = {
+    name: "NewRole",
+    inherits: BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.BASIC,
+    permissionId: BUILTIN_PERMISSION_IDS.READ_ONLY,
+  }
+  const res = await request
+    .post(`/api/roles`)
+    .send(roleBody)
+    .set(exports.defaultHeaders(appId))
+    .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+    .expect(200)
+  return res.body
+}
+
+exports.addPermission = async (
+  request,
+  appId,
+  role,
+  resource,
+  level = "read"
+) => {
+  const res = await request
+    .post(`/api/permission/${role}/${resource}/${level}`)
+    .set(exports.defaultHeaders(appId))
+    .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+    .expect(200)
+  return res.body
+}
+
 exports.createLinkedTable = async (request, appId) => {
   // get the ID to link to
   const table = await exports.createTable(request, appId)
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/permissions.spec.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/permissions.spec.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8353eb271d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/permissions.spec.js
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+const {
+  createApplication,
+  createTable,
+  createRow,
+  supertest,
+  defaultHeaders,
+  addPermission,
+  publicHeaders,
+  makeBasicRow,
+} = require("./couchTestUtils")
+const { BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS } = require("../../../utilities/security/roles")
+
+const HIGHER_ROLE_ID = BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.BASIC
+const STD_ROLE_ID = BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.PUBLIC
+
+describe("/permission", () => {
+  let server
+  let request
+  let appId
+  let table
+  let perms
+  let row
+
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    ;({ request, server } = await supertest())
+  })
+
+  afterAll(() => {
+    server.close()
+  })
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    let app = await createApplication(request)
+    appId = app.instance._id
+    table = await createTable(request, appId)
+    perms = await addPermission(request, appId, STD_ROLE_ID, table._id)
+    row = await createRow(request, appId, table._id)
+  })
+
+  async function getTablePermissions() {
+    return request
+      .get(`/api/permission/${table._id}`)
+      .set(defaultHeaders(appId))
+      .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+      .expect(200)
+  }
+
+  describe("levels", () => {
+    it("should be able to get levels", async () => {
+      const res = await request
+        .get(`/api/permission/levels`)
+        .set(defaultHeaders(appId))
+        .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+        .expect(200)
+      expect(res.body).toBeDefined()
+      expect(res.body.length).toEqual(2)
+      expect(res.body).toContain("read")
+      expect(res.body).toContain("write")
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe("add", () => {
+    it("should be able to add permission to a role for the table", async () => {
+      expect(perms.length).toEqual(1)
+      expect(perms[0]._id).toEqual(`${STD_ROLE_ID}`)
+    })
+
+    it("should get the resource permissions", async () => {
+      const res = await request
+        .get(`/api/permission/${table._id}`)
+        .set(defaultHeaders(appId))
+        .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+        .expect(200)
+      expect(res.body[STD_ROLE_ID]).toEqual("read")
+    })
+
+    it("should get resource permissions with multiple roles", async () => {
+      perms = await addPermission(request, appId, HIGHER_ROLE_ID, table._id, "write")
+      const res = await getTablePermissions()
+      expect(res.body[HIGHER_ROLE_ID]).toEqual("write")
+      expect(res.body[STD_ROLE_ID]).toEqual("read")
+      const allRes = await request
+        .get(`/api/permission`)
+        .set(defaultHeaders(appId))
+        .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+        .expect(200)
+      expect(allRes.body[HIGHER_ROLE_ID][table._id]).toEqual("write")
+      expect(allRes.body[STD_ROLE_ID][table._id]).toEqual("read")
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe("remove", () => {
+    it("should be able to remove the permission", async () => {
+      const res = await request
+        .delete(`/api/permission/${STD_ROLE_ID}/${table._id}/read`)
+        .set(defaultHeaders(appId))
+        .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+        .expect(200)
+      expect(res.body[0]._id).toEqual(STD_ROLE_ID)
+      const permsRes = await getTablePermissions()
+      expect(permsRes.body[STD_ROLE_ID]).toBeUndefined()
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe("check public user allowed", () => {
+    it("should be able to read the row", async () => {
+      const res = await request
+        .get(`/api/${table._id}/rows`)
+        .set(publicHeaders(appId))
+        .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+        .expect(200)
+      expect(res.body[0]._id).toEqual(row._id)
+    })
+
+    it("shouldn't allow writing from a public user", async () => {
+      const res = await request
+        .post(`/api/${table._id}/rows`)
+        .send(makeBasicRow(table._id))
+        .set(publicHeaders(appId))
+        .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+        .expect(403)
+      expect(res.status).toEqual(403)
+    })
+  })
+})
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/role.spec.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/role.spec.js
index ed9a0ff694..b86b285dbc 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/role.spec.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/role.spec.js
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 const {
   createApplication,
-  createTable,
-  createView,
   supertest,
   defaultHeaders,
 } = require("./couchTestUtils")
@@ -20,8 +18,6 @@ describe("/roles", () => {
   let server
   let request
   let appId
-  let table
-  let view
 
   beforeAll(async () => {
     ;({ request, server } = await supertest())
@@ -34,8 +30,6 @@ describe("/roles", () => {
   beforeEach(async () => {
     let app = await createApplication(request)
     appId = app.instance._id
-    table = await createTable(request, appId)
-    view = await createView(request, appId, table._id)
   })
 
   describe("create", () => {
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/row.spec.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/row.spec.js
index 47977ed207..c411016b71 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/row.spec.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/row.spec.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ const {
   defaultHeaders,
   createLinkedTable,
   createAttachmentTable,
+  makeBasicRow,
 } = require("./couchTestUtils");
 const { enrichRows } = require("../../../utilities")
 const env = require("../../../environment")
@@ -30,12 +31,7 @@ describe("/rows", () => {
     app = await createApplication(request)
     appId = app.instance._id
     table = await createTable(request, appId)
-    row = {
-      name: "Test Contact",
-      description: "original description",
-      status: "new",
-      tableId: table._id
-    }
+    row = makeBasicRow(table._id)
   })
 
   const createRow = async r => 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/db/utils.js b/packages/server/src/db/utils.js
index 4045e63313..5e7e74d711 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/db/utils.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/db/utils.js
@@ -170,8 +170,8 @@ exports.getAppParams = (appId = null, otherProps = {}) => {
  * Generates a new role ID.
  * @returns {string} The new role ID which the role doc can be stored under.
  */
-exports.generateRoleID = () => {
-  return `${DocumentTypes.ROLE}${SEPARATOR}${newid()}`
+exports.generateRoleID = id => {
+  return `${DocumentTypes.ROLE}${SEPARATOR}${id || newid()}`
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/packages/server/src/middleware/authorized.js b/packages/server/src/middleware/authorized.js
index ad2c4344fa..7eac602f78 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/middleware/authorized.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/middleware/authorized.js
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 const {
   BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS,
-  getUserPermissionIds,
+  getUserPermissions,
 } = require("../utilities/security/roles")
 const {
   PermissionTypes,
-  doesHavePermission,
+  doesHaveResourcePermission,
+  doesHaveBasePermission,
 } = require("../utilities/security/permissions")
 const env = require("../environment")
 const { isAPIKeyValid } = require("../utilities/security/apikey")
@@ -14,6 +15,10 @@ const ADMIN_ROLES = [BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.ADMIN, BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.BUILDER]
 
 const LOCAL_PASS = new RegExp(["webhooks/trigger", "webhooks/schema"].join("|"))
 
+function hasResource(ctx) {
+  return ctx.resourceId != null
+}
+
 module.exports = (permType, permLevel = null) => async (ctx, next) => {
   // webhooks can pass locally
   if (!env.CLOUD && LOCAL_PASS.test(ctx.request.url)) {
@@ -38,25 +43,39 @@ module.exports = (permType, permLevel = null) => async (ctx, next) => {
   // don't expose builder endpoints in the cloud
   if (env.CLOUD && permType === PermissionTypes.BUILDER) return
 
-  if (!ctx.auth.authenticated) {
-    ctx.throw(403, "Session not authenticated")
-  }
-
   if (!ctx.user) {
-    ctx.throw(403, "User not found")
+    ctx.throw(403, "No user info found")
   }
 
   const role = ctx.user.role
-  const permissions = await getUserPermissionIds(ctx.appId, role._id)
-  if (ADMIN_ROLES.indexOf(role._id) !== -1) {
-    return next()
-  }
+  const { basePermissions, permissions } = await getUserPermissions(
+    ctx.appId,
+    role._id
+  )
+  const isAdmin = ADMIN_ROLES.indexOf(role._id) !== -1
+  const isAuthed = ctx.auth.authenticated
 
-  if (permType === PermissionTypes.BUILDER) {
+  // this may need to change in the future, right now only admins
+  // can have access to builder features, this is hard coded into
+  // our rules
+  if (isAdmin && isAuthed) {
+    return next()
+  } else if (permType === PermissionTypes.BUILDER) {
     ctx.throw(403, "Not Authorized")
   }
 
-  if (!doesHavePermission(permType, permLevel, permissions)) {
+  if (
+    hasResource(ctx) &&
+    doesHaveResourcePermission(permissions, permLevel, ctx)
+  ) {
+    return next()
+  }
+
+  if (!isAuthed) {
+    ctx.throw(403, "Session not authenticated")
+  }
+
+  if (!doesHaveBasePermission(permType, permLevel, basePermissions)) {
     ctx.throw(403, "User does not have permission")
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/middleware/joi-validator.js b/packages/server/src/middleware/joi-validator.js
index 7ded06fe81..1686b0e727 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/middleware/joi-validator.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/middleware/joi-validator.js
@@ -22,3 +22,7 @@ function validate(schema, property) {
 module.exports.body = schema => {
   return validate(schema, "body")
 }
+
+module.exports.params = schema => {
+  return validate(schema, "params")
+}
diff --git a/packages/server/src/middleware/resourceId.js b/packages/server/src/middleware/resourceId.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4351901dad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/server/src/middleware/resourceId.js
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+class ResourceIdGetter {
+  constructor(ctxProperty) {
+    this.parameter = ctxProperty
+    this.main = null
+    this.sub = null
+    return this
+  }
+
+  mainResource(field) {
+    this.main = field
+    return this
+  }
+
+  subResource(field) {
+    this.sub = field
+    return this
+  }
+
+  build() {
+    const parameter = this.parameter,
+      main = this.main,
+      sub = this.sub
+    return (ctx, next) => {
+      const request = ctx.request[parameter] || ctx[parameter]
+      if (request == null) {
+        return next()
+      }
+      if (main != null && request[main]) {
+        ctx.resourceId = request[main]
+      }
+      if (sub != null && request[sub]) {
+        ctx.subResourceId = request[sub]
+      }
+      return next()
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+module.exports.paramResource = main => {
+  return new ResourceIdGetter("params").mainResource(main).build()
+}
+
+module.exports.paramSubResource = (main, sub) => {
+  return new ResourceIdGetter("params")
+    .mainResource(main)
+    .subResource(sub)
+    .build()
+}
+
+module.exports.bodyResource = main => {
+  return new ResourceIdGetter("body").mainResource(main).build()
+}
+
+module.exports.bodySubResource = (main, sub) => {
+  return new ResourceIdGetter("body")
+    .mainResource(main)
+    .subResource(sub)
+    .build()
+}
diff --git a/packages/server/src/utilities/builder/hosting.js b/packages/server/src/utilities/builder/hosting.js
index 3c02410afd..c265c26dd0 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/utilities/builder/hosting.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/utilities/builder/hosting.js
@@ -94,17 +94,22 @@ exports.getDeployedApps = async () => {
   }
   const workerUrl = !env.CLOUD ? await exports.getWorkerUrl() : env.WORKER_URL
   const hostingKey = !env.CLOUD ? hostingInfo.selfHostKey : env.HOSTING_KEY
-  const response = await fetch(`${workerUrl}/api/apps`, {
-    method: "GET",
-    headers: {
-      "x-budibase-auth": hostingKey,
-    },
-  })
-  const json = await response.json()
-  for (let value of Object.values(json)) {
-    if (value.url) {
-      value.url = value.url.toLowerCase()
+  try {
+    const response = await fetch(`${workerUrl}/api/apps`, {
+      method: "GET",
+      headers: {
+        "x-budibase-auth": hostingKey,
+      },
+    })
+    const json = await response.json()
+    for (let value of Object.values(json)) {
+      if (value.url) {
+        value.url = value.url.toLowerCase()
+      }
     }
+    return json
+  } catch (err) {
+    // error, cannot determine deployed apps, don't stop app creation - sort this later
+    return {}
   }
-  return json
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/utilities/security/permissions.js b/packages/server/src/utilities/security/permissions.js
index c00f3ce6c7..c0bc26cb8f 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/utilities/security/permissions.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/utilities/security/permissions.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ const PermissionLevels = {
   ADMIN: "admin",
 }
 
+// these are the global types, that govern the underlying default behaviour
 const PermissionTypes = {
   TABLE: "table",
   USER: "user",
@@ -29,12 +30,11 @@ function Permission(type, level) {
  */
 function getAllowedLevels(userPermLevel) {
   switch (userPermLevel) {
-    case PermissionLevels.READ:
-      return [PermissionLevels.READ]
-    case PermissionLevels.WRITE:
-      return [PermissionLevels.READ, PermissionLevels.WRITE]
     case PermissionLevels.EXECUTE:
       return [PermissionLevels.EXECUTE]
+    case PermissionLevels.READ:
+      return [PermissionLevels.EXECUTE, PermissionLevels.READ]
+    case PermissionLevels.WRITE:
     case PermissionLevels.ADMIN:
       return [
         PermissionLevels.READ,
@@ -97,7 +97,35 @@ exports.BUILTIN_PERMISSIONS = {
   },
 }
 
-exports.doesHavePermission = (permType, permLevel, permissionIds) => {
+exports.doesHaveResourcePermission = (
+  permissions,
+  permLevel,
+  { resourceId, subResourceId }
+) => {
+  // set foundSub to not subResourceId, incase there is no subResource
+  let foundMain = false,
+    foundSub = !subResourceId
+  for (let [resource, level] of Object.entries(permissions)) {
+    const levels = getAllowedLevels(level)
+    if (resource === resourceId && levels.indexOf(permLevel) !== -1) {
+      foundMain = true
+    }
+    if (
+      subResourceId &&
+      resource === subResourceId &&
+      levels.indexOf(permLevel) !== -1
+    ) {
+      foundSub = true
+    }
+    // this will escape if foundMain only when no sub resource
+    if (foundMain && foundSub) {
+      break
+    }
+  }
+  return foundMain && foundSub
+}
+
+exports.doesHaveBasePermission = (permType, permLevel, permissionIds) => {
   const builtins = Object.values(exports.BUILTIN_PERMISSIONS)
   let permissions = flatten(
     builtins
@@ -115,6 +143,25 @@ exports.doesHavePermission = (permType, permLevel, permissionIds) => {
   return false
 }
 
+exports.higherPermission = (perm1, perm2) => {
+  function toNum(perm) {
+    switch (perm) {
+      // not everything has execute privileges
+      case PermissionLevels.EXECUTE:
+        return 0
+      case PermissionLevels.READ:
+        return 1
+      case PermissionLevels.WRITE:
+        return 2
+      case PermissionLevels.ADMIN:
+        return 3
+      default:
+        return -1
+    }
+  }
+  return toNum(perm1) > toNum(perm2) ? perm1 : perm2
+}
+
 // utility as a lot of things need simply the builder permission
 exports.BUILDER = PermissionTypes.BUILDER
 exports.PermissionTypes = PermissionTypes
diff --git a/packages/server/src/utilities/security/roles.js b/packages/server/src/utilities/security/roles.js
index 6b6ec39b24..447c049e1d 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/utilities/security/roles.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/utilities/security/roles.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 const CouchDB = require("../../db")
 const { cloneDeep } = require("lodash/fp")
-const { BUILTIN_PERMISSION_IDS } = require("./permissions")
+const { BUILTIN_PERMISSION_IDS, higherPermission } = require("./permissions")
+const { generateRoleID, DocumentTypes, SEPARATOR } = require("../../db/utils")
 
 const BUILTIN_IDS = {
   ADMIN: "ADMIN",
@@ -44,15 +45,15 @@ exports.BUILTIN_ROLES = {
 }
 
 exports.BUILTIN_ROLE_ID_ARRAY = Object.values(exports.BUILTIN_ROLES).map(
-  level => level._id
+  role => role._id
 )
 
 exports.BUILTIN_ROLE_NAME_ARRAY = Object.values(exports.BUILTIN_ROLES).map(
-  level => level.name
+  role => role.name
 )
 
 function isBuiltin(role) {
-  return exports.BUILTIN_ROLE_ID_ARRAY.indexOf(role) !== -1
+  return exports.BUILTIN_ROLE_ID_ARRAY.some(builtin => role.includes(builtin))
 }
 
 /**
@@ -66,14 +67,25 @@ exports.getRole = async (appId, roleId) => {
   if (!roleId) {
     return null
   }
-  let role
+  let role = {}
+  // built in roles mostly come from the in-code implementation,
+  // but can be extended by a doc stored about them (e.g. permissions)
   if (isBuiltin(roleId)) {
     role = cloneDeep(
       Object.values(exports.BUILTIN_ROLES).find(role => role._id === roleId)
     )
-  } else {
+  }
+  try {
     const db = new CouchDB(appId)
-    role = await db.get(roleId)
+    const dbRole = await db.get(exports.getDBRoleID(roleId))
+    role = Object.assign(role, dbRole)
+    // finalise the ID
+    role._id = exports.getExternalRoleID(role._id)
+  } catch (err) {
+    // only throw an error if there is no role at all
+    if (Object.keys(role).length === 0) {
+      throw err
+    }
   }
   return role
 }
@@ -118,14 +130,26 @@ exports.getUserRoleHierarchy = async (appId, userRoleId) => {
  * Get all of the user permissions which could be found across the role hierarchy
  * @param appId The ID of the application from which roles should be obtained.
  * @param userRoleId The user's role ID, this can be found in their access token.
- * @returns {Promise<string[]>} A list of permission IDs these should all be unique.
+ * @returns {Promise<{basePermissions: string[], permissions: Object}>} the base
+ * permission IDs as well as any custom resource permissions.
  */
-exports.getUserPermissionIds = async (appId, userRoleId) => {
-  return [
-    ...new Set(
-      (await getAllUserRoles(appId, userRoleId)).map(role => role.permissionId)
-    ),
+exports.getUserPermissions = async (appId, userRoleId) => {
+  const rolesHierarchy = await getAllUserRoles(appId, userRoleId)
+  const basePermissions = [
+    ...new Set(rolesHierarchy.map(role => role.permissionId)),
   ]
+  const permissions = {}
+  for (let role of rolesHierarchy) {
+    if (role.permissions) {
+      for (let [resource, level] of Object.entries(role.permissions)) {
+        permissions[resource] = higherPermission(permissions[resource], level)
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return {
+    basePermissions,
+    permissions,
+  }
 }
 
 class AccessController {
@@ -177,6 +201,27 @@ class AccessController {
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Adds the "role_" for builtin role IDs which are to be written to the DB (for permissions).
+ */
+exports.getDBRoleID = roleId => {
+  if (roleId.startsWith(DocumentTypes.ROLE)) {
+    return roleId
+  }
+  return generateRoleID(roleId)
+}
+
+/**
+ * Remove the "role_" from builtin role IDs that have been written to the DB (for permissions).
+ */
+exports.getExternalRoleID = roleId => {
+  // for built in roles we want to remove the DB role ID element (role_)
+  if (roleId.startsWith(DocumentTypes.ROLE) && isBuiltin(roleId)) {
+    return roleId.split(`${DocumentTypes.ROLE}${SEPARATOR}`)[1]
+  }
+  return roleId
+}
+
 exports.AccessController = AccessController
 exports.BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS = BUILTIN_IDS
 exports.isBuiltin = isBuiltin