Hey everyone! I'm a bit puzzled about zoning requirements in my county, especially since we're looking to get some work done on our garage. I thought our general contractor would be able to advise us on zoning issues while giving us an estimate. It turns out, he mentioned that most people come to them only after sorting out zoning clearances. Is this how it usually works across the board, or is it just something specific to South Carolina?
3 Answers
Usually, zoning clarification falls under the architect's duties more than the contractor's. However, if your contractor is familiar with your local area, they might still be able to offer some helpful insights. Experience really matters here!
It's the homeowner's responsibility to figure out zoning and permits before any project begins. It's always a good idea for homeowners to call both the Zoning and Permit departments as their first steps. The homeowner ends up bearing the consequences if there are issues with permits, as they could face fines or work stoppages.
Zoning laws can differ quite a bit from one municipality to another, so it's hard for a general contractor to keep track of all those details everywhere they work. Plus, some may want to avoid the risk of misinforming you about what’s permissible and getting into trouble later on. There could be specific easements or restrictions that they just aren’t aware of, after all.
Thanks for the tip! Why should we call the permit department too? What do they provide that zoning can't?