Building Permit for a remodel in So Cal?

Question

Hi Guys,

Here is the story. I bought a 40 year old house in LA County and got everything remodeled. However, I only have a building permit for the kitchen, Heating and Air and the windows. A couple of things:

1. I didn't know I need to have things checkout during the remodel. (i did not do that)

2. Also because I only have a permit for the kitchen, what should I do when I am asked about the other items? Stairs? Flooring

I know I made a mistake and should have gotten a permit for everything, but what should I do now? Any words on wisdom would be awesome! What is the best way to handle this situation.

I do have a CA licensed contractor working on my house.

Answer 1

at this point all you can do is get the final inpections on the permits you have and be ready for the why didnt you get a permit question to fall on ya

do not volunteer any of the changes you made but be truthful about anything you get asked about

the worst that is going to happen is double fees for the permits you are told to apply for and reinspection will be scheduled after you get em

Answer 2

If you have a licensed contractor doing the work in your house, did he not tell you that you would need building permits for all the work he's doing? If not, he should have his license pulled.

At this point, you have to make a decision: Do you go about having everything permitted correctly or do you take your chances that the inspector won't notice the other improvements.

The problem with the second choice above is that they send inspectors out to building sites when the plans are submitted for them to see the existing condition of the property. And, they usually send out the same guy for the periodic and final inspections. So, there's very little chance that he'll let the other improvements slide. And, they do have the option of levying fines for knowingly building or improving without pulling the required permits.

So, you're probably better off cutting your losses and terminating the other work right now, and then obtaining the proper permits for the project. You might have to have some things torn out, inspected, and then re-done. But, at least you will have everything permitted. Then, if you go to sell or refinance your home, the appraisers can include all the work you did when evaluating the home.

Permits are required by building codes to ensure that the home will be safe after construction. But, the other thing permits do is allow work to be included in an appraisal of a property. Without the permits signed off, an appraiser probably won't (and shouldn't, if they have any integrity) count any of the unpermitted work or added square footage in the evaluation of the property. This would affect the sales price you can ask for a home and how much you can borrow on it.

Answer 3

Why is he not helping you with this? I don't think you need it for flooring but the stairs would depend on if you moved them or such. As in was it cosmetic-for which you don't need a permit, or construction? I would go down to your county offices-the info should be on the permit you have, and ask. You can't sell it if you don't have them-stop now and find out what you need and how you go about getting the inspections. I would question the knowledge of your contractor too

Answer 4

I'm just guessing on this.
Stairs I don't know if you would need a permit or not if they are not part of a load bearing wall.
Floor - Think of it this way. Would you have to get a permit if you pulled out carpet and put down tile ?
I know Calif. has some strange rules, but if they don't ask don't volunteer. If they do ask don't lie.

Answer 5

each and every city, city & village are diverse. working example in my section, one city demands a concrete footing in case you build a 2 motor vehicle storage. yet another will require in basic terms a concrete slab. comparable 2 cities, one demands a enable to place in vinyl siding, the different city would not. .