What happens if I choose not to obtain the required permits?

If the Building Official finds you working without a permit, your work will be stopped immediately, regardless of where in the construction project you are. If the work you have done appears to effect the safety of the structure, you will be required to remove all new work, or completely remove the structure!

At the option of the Building Official, you may be required to seek out the services of and Architect of Engineer and hire a contractor. (NOTE: If you have hired a contractor to do your work without a permit, your contractor will be reported to the County AND State licensing authority and a complaint will be filed against their license.)

ALSO, a Code Compliance officer will issue you an notice for working without permits and you will have to pay the cost of the permit fee PLUS a penalty of two times the permit fee (as well any plan review fees). Additionally, there may be fees for a third party engineering analysis if areas of work are concealed or all work may be required to be removed in order to reveal that work.

If you choose to ignore the notice of the Code Enforcement Officer, you will receive a citation and be brought before the Code Enforcement Board, where you may be fined and/or made to remove the unpermitted work.