Will I get fined for adding a room to my house without a building permit?

Question

If so, how steep is the fine, what's the inspection process like and will the addition of the room be automatically added to my blueprints?

Answer 1

Depending on what state you live in, although I imagine most have similar laws, you definitely need a building permit. During construction it will need to be inspected at certain points and signed off prior to being able to complete it. The pros to getting the correct permits is that it will raise the value of your home because it adds to the overall square footage. The cons are that permits cost money and typically your property taxes will go up as those too are based on square footage. You can try building without a permit, however if you go to sell your home and it's found out then you may have to remove it or face penalties and fines. The government doesn't really like it when people are not paying the correct amount of property taxes and they may come after you for back taxes among other things. Also, in order to properly insure your home you would need to have a permit for the addition or your homeowners policy may become null and void at least for the addition itself. Play it safe and check into whether you need a permit, in the long run you will be glad you did.

Answer 2

State, county, city laws all come into play. Basically they want to be able to tax you more for the improvement. Depending on the amount tho, you should be able to claim it on your federal return for a tax break. You can always plead ignorance and the inspector might let you off with warning and just make you go get permit. Just be really cool to them, assholes = fines. Also, if there are any building restrictions in your hood might be good to know or someone could sue you for building against home owner society regulations on houses and subdivisions.

Answer 3

Yes, Industry-Kitty is absolutely correct. When you come to sell the house thats when you will have big problems.
Also and importantly, your household insurance won't be responsible for any accident/incident that may occur in or to the extension, particularly bodily injury or death. You may be leaving yourself open to huge liable if this occurs.
Better to do it properly, cover yourself, a few hundred now may save you everything some day....

Answer 4

Possible if its an addition to the outside of the structure
Interior changes may also need a permit but you need to check with your homeowners association, township, burrough or town zoning dept.

Answer 5

im sure when the tax assessor comes around, your taxes will go up, but i dont thinkl youll get fined. We just built a deck on our house, but it is a FLOATING deck, not attached to the house. Unfortunately, you cant do that good luck

Answer 6

well it all depends on witch country you are in you dident say here in australia you will get fined ime not shure how much but you will I dont know about over countries but I would say it would be the same as australia in america and the UK and over countries but ime not 100%

Answer 7

You need to check with your city hall. They could explaine things for you since each city has different regulations.

Answer 8

probably so. plus you may have to tear down any building done without the proper permits.

Answer 9

you could get fined if you get caught. Amount of fine depends on location.

Answer 10

it depends if you live in a single family home thts not on rent thn u can but im not sure about townhouses/apartments but to be sure you should check online.