Want to build a utility room extension to house. Parents are adamant we don't get a permit or get the county involved. Thoughts?

[fuzzmunky415]

Pizza Hut personal pan size, so a DIY Pizza Hut! Brilliant!

 

[bolhuijo]

Again, it depends wha you are going to do:
View attachment 269692

I see the door has an ADA compliant handle. Passed.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Get a shipping container? Considered non permanent I believe. Really effective at keeping rodents out.

 

[Brett V]

I’m sure glad I live where I do!

 

[sunsurfer]

How about a shed vs adding on? Most jurisdictions allow for non-permited sheds. There are rules but no permits.

 

[robbob2112]

How about a shed vs adding on? Most jurisdictions allow for non-permited sheds. There are rules but no permits.

Here in Colorado a shed can be done... floor no higher than 18" above ground and total space under 120sqft. Must be located outside any easments and 4 ft from lot lines. But here is the catch, if you wire it for power in any way that is an electrical permit. To do it legal the rules just skip the building permit. There are also height restrictions on the roof and rules for wind load it must stand up to...

This varies by county but the rules are clearly posted on the county website.

 

[doing it different]

If its finished from the outside.
And done by the time long weekend is over. Your ok.

 

[Skypower]

A friend has land that’s so dense with trees that unless the satellites are using radar, they are only going to be able to see glimpses from the sky. He has hydro power. At the electric gate that’s got a fence zapper to keep the hoppers off it, there are the normal no trespassing signs. Further down the road a sign; “Are your affairs in order? If not, this is your last chance to turn around.” Next bend “Too late!”

 

[Bluedog225]

Half serious. First, it’s all been as it’s been “for as long as anyone remembers.” Full stop.

Second, maybe build a roof extension open deck area. See if they notice. Then close it in.

 

[vibeslayer]

Grew up off grid. House is a converted two story three bed barn that is quite nice, but my parents claim much or the work was done after permits were issued in the late 80s. They added additional windows as well, the house had a lot of windows, some or which were not permitted.

So we want to extend the tiny utility room to make more room for solar equipment and take it out of the main living area (currently in the 'pantry' and make it a bit safer (much more spacing, more conduit, concrete board etc).

Parents are adamant we can't get the county involved to get a permit as they have these fears in order of importance:

1. They'll ding us for unrelated items like windows, a shed we built, decks and existing electrical. This could, they say, and I have also heard, end with the loss of our family home.
2. It will increase property taxes.
3. Maybe this should be first, the general complete distrust of 'the county'.

Now I pretty much agree，they are my parents and I share they're concerns. But I'd also like to look into this a bit and see how much we could do it by the books or what it would take to get things ok. But I certainly don't want to be responsible for 'repairs' to the house we can't afford.

Does anyone have experience with this? For reference we are in a rural area down a long dirt road and off grid. County is Mendocino, California and the house or property is K class.

I don't know a lot about these things but if I were you I would consider this:

If you "do the right thing" and try to get permits at this point, they could assess the non-permitted work on inspection if applicable, and make you get permits and worse, make you get a permit to tear out the old work and repair it to the original or pay for new permits and construction to just redo the stuff that's already built. It's not crazy to think that could happen.

Also, at some point if the house gets sold, you will have to make all this right as there should be inspections involved. Probably also if you want to take a loan out on the property there could be an inspection and who knows if it would come up then. Maybe also with insurance, maybe not. Like someone else said, there is a lot of variance amongst cities, counties and between inspectors.

 

[skyking1]

I don't know a lot about these things but if I were you I would consider this:

If you "do the right thing" and try to get permits at this point, they could assess the non-permitted work on inspection if applicable, and make you get permits and worse, make you get a permit to tear out the old work and repair it to the original or pay for new permits and construction to just redo the stuff that's already built. It's not crazy to think that could happen.

Also, at some point if the house gets sold, you will have to make all this right as there should be inspections involved. Probably also if you want to take a loan out on the property there could be an inspection and who knows if it would come up then. Maybe also with insurance, maybe not. Like someone else said, there is a lot of variance amongst cities, counties and between inspectors.

Was this worth bumping a 2 1/2 month dead thread that was a single post drive by from the OP? Seriously, a journeyman at crypto would know the answer.

 

[vibeslayer]

Was this worth bumping a 2 1/2 month dead thread that was a single post drive by from the OP? Seriously, a journeyman at crypto would know the answer.

What are you even talking about?

It came up in my thread. I didn't look at dates and why do you care?

 

[Tulex]

Was this worth bumping a 2 1/2 month dead thread that was a single post drive by from the OP? Seriously, a journeyman at crypto would know the answer.

Just so that I don't bump an old thread, what is the official cut off?

 

[Quattrohead]

Just so that I don't bump an old thread, what is the official cut off?

When the street lights turn on.

 

[skyking1]

What are you even talking about?

It came up in my thread. I didn't look at dates and why do you c

It's the kind of thing a bot does, not look at dates or context.

 

[vibeslayer]

It's the kind of thing a bot does, not look at dates or context.

Great now I'll do it with purpose. And yes, totally worth it...

 

[J.H.]

Grew up off grid. House is a converted two story three bed barn that is quite nice, but my parents claim much or the work was done after permits were issued in the late 80s. They added additional windows as well, the house had a lot of windows, some or which were not permitted.

So we want to extend the tiny utility room to make more room for solar equipment and take it out of the main living area (currently in the 'pantry' and make it a bit safer (much more spacing, more conduit, concrete board etc).

Parents are adamant we can't get the county involved to get a permit as they have these fears in order of importance:

1. They'll ding us for unrelated items like windows, a shed we built, decks and existing electrical. This could, they say, and I have also heard, end with the loss of our family home.
2. It will increase property taxes.
3. Maybe this should be first, the general complete distrust of 'the county'.

Now I pretty much agree，they are my parents and I share they're concerns. But I'd also like to look into this a bit and see how much we could do it by the books or what it would take to get things ok. But I certainly don't want to be responsible for 'repairs' to the house we can't afford.

Does anyone have experience with this? For reference we are in a rural area down a long dirt road and off grid. County is Mendocino, California and the house or property is K class.

I would be very carefull about risking my parents home and security they have owned for many decades by asking officials a-bunch of questions..you could open a box of problems you don’t want…
If your not on their radar then DONT purposely put yourself on their radar..

Especially in a place like California ..

If yer folks are getting up in age , this could result in a terrible thing for them….and your future relationship with them if things go south ..

But then if all of y’all are financially loaded, then go for it..!

 

[Norwasian]

I didn't see this thread until now, but have an interesting situation myself that is related to this. We want to rebuild the roof of the school. We went to the local municipality and inquired as to what we must do. They said if all we did was replace the metal roofing, we needed to do nothing. But to change the roof style (I want to change it from a gable roof to a monoslope to accommodate solar, and we'll be building new trusses to support the additional weight), we needed to submit an engineer's signed plans. ... But then they said: "If you just go ahead and do it yourself, we don't know about it!" (In other words, the officials are prepared to look the other way.)

Welcome to Thailand!


On the flip side, if something collapses, I'll be the scapegoat.

I went to the only engineer I know in town, only to find him unwilling to prepare official papers--he just wanted to give a little advice and leave us to ourselves on it. So I'm engineering now.

Any engineers here willing to assess the risks of what I've designed?

 

[Norwasian]

I would be very carefull about risking my parents home and security they have owned for many decades by asking officials a-bunch of questions..you could open a box of problems you don’t want…
If your not on their radar then DONT purposely put yourself on their radar..

Especially in a place like California ..

If yer folks are getting up in age , this could result in a terrible thing for them….and your future relationship with them if things go south ..

But then if all of y’all are financially loaded, then go for it..!

Agreed. "Honor thy father and thy mother...," is the commandment that comes with a promise of longevity. Sometimes parents have wisdom that their children cannot fathom. Sometimes they may be just stubborn and unwilling to change or adapt: but it takes some audacity to deliberately go against them, and often does not end well.

 

[Tulex]

It's the kind of thing a bot does, not look at dates or context.

Um, get real. Old threads come back to life on here often. We don't need thread or bot police. I believe they have mods for that.

 

[skyking1]

Chalk it up to old man yells at clouds.

 

[Jr233]

Grew up off grid. House is a converted two story three bed barn that is quite nice, but my parents claim much or the work was done after permits were issued in the late 80s. They added additional windows as well, the house had a lot of windows, some or which were not permitted.

So we want to extend the tiny utility room to make more room for solar equipment and take it out of the main living area (currently in the 'pantry' and make it a bit safer (much more spacing, more conduit, concrete board etc).

Parents are adamant we can't get the county involved to get a permit as they have these fears in order of importance:

1. They'll ding us for unrelated items like windows, a shed we built, decks and existing electrical. This could, they say, and I have also heard, end with the loss of our family home.
2. It will increase property taxes.
3. Maybe this should be first, the general complete distrust of 'the county'.

Now I pretty much agree they are my parents and I share they're concerns. But I'd also like to look into this a bit and see how much we could do it by the books or what it would take to get things ok. But I certainly don't want to be responsible for 'repairs' to the house we can't afford.

Does anyone have experience with this? For reference we are in a rural area down a long dirt road and off grid. County is Mendocino, California and the house or property is K class.

every town or county use different codes and rules you need to find what your area does . where i lived in PA roofing ,siding fences and sheds up to 110 sq ft were no permits . they do have few things inspected when homes sold i had to put eGFI and ground rod on panel since house grounded through copper water . all theses need permits in city of fl . supposably no permits fine 3x permit cost . if done properly
so several things your town or county rules. also code in effect when works done . extra lining space will result in higher assessment . building and windows are minor actually don't understand why permits for replacing windows . but you mentioned electrical hares the problem your house insurance if a fire and comes to show improper uninspected caused fire they will refuse to pay and will drop your insurance most likely even if house is fixed by you. so be extremely careful with electric . as for new work if this is a long time very likely if it looks proper they will just be concerned with new . but some places are worst than others also there are some statutes of limits on fining . but a violation can be required to be fixed if zoning that's a whole separate problem and expensive since existing needs a variance . your talking solar and electrical either consider if allowed a free standing shed but connecting to house your looking at electric permits and insurance problems . perhaps have a licensed electrician check system i think you got more of insurance problem than gov permit problems

 

[Jr233]

Perfect synopsis. I'd just add in 'pennywise, pound foolish'.
Indeed, I would leverage a local institution, perhaps can get a lead on an experienced electrician to help suggest DIY fixes to meet compliance before setting about permits.

Real Goods - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

there is ongoing lawsuits over drone, air and sat used for code enforcement at least 10 yrs ago a ny town or county were using plain or sat pic to see who put pools in i don't have details but they either got stopped or quit after residents objected . drones are fairly new and law has not caught up yet. some towns strict code is when towns taxed and still overspend so they use code and police not for good of town but revenue gov has long run out of other peoples money legit ways so they start fining high daily for nonsense violations

 

[OM617YOTA]

Hate this kind of thing.

Around here I've heard it go both ways, if the code inspector you get is genuinely interested in safety and wanting to help, it can be a reasonable and easy process to get code compliance done. On the flip side, some inspectors only became inspectors to satisfy their power tripping desires and be able to legally cause all kinds of hell for other people with zero repercussions on themselves. If you get one of those, be prepared for hell.

Overall not worth the gamble. If you can fly under the radar, do so.

 

[Norwasian]

Hate this kind of thing.

Around here I've heard it go both ways, if the code inspector you get is genuinely interested in safety and wanting to help, it can be a reasonable and easy process to get code compliance done. On the flip side, some inspectors only became inspectors to satisfy their power tripping desires and be able to legally cause all kinds of hell for other people with zero repercussions on themselves. If you get one of those, be prepared for hell.

Overall not worth the gamble. If you can fly under the radar, do so.

With power-tripper inspectors, a strategy that sometimes works well is to leave something inexpensive to fix done the wrong way. This kind of inspector will find something to carp about and require a change--so give him something that can be easily identified and adjusted. Once he has found a problem, hopefully he is satisfied that he has done his duty and ceases digging deeper for worse issues. Far better to swap that AC-rated breaker for a DC breaker than to have to remount all of your panels because of some supposed flaw with the roof.

NOTE: I have never had issues with solar system inspectors. My experience comes from other general construction, etc. Years ago, crossing borders we would leave an apple on the dash of the car...declare that item of fruit at the border and let them take it away to dispose of it. Once their power-trip instincts were satisfied, we were free to proceed without a full vehicle inspection.