Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a tricky situation. My stepdad built a house on his property (which is now my mom's) without any permits and unfortunately, he passed away without finishing it, leaving just the shell. I'm currently transitioning out of the military and want to finish the inside so I can move in. Rather than finding someone 'cheap' to do it, I hired a professional remodeling company. It's been five years since anything was done, and now I'm worried about the legal side of things. If the city finds out, what could happen? Plus, how do I go about correcting the permit situation now that they might know the house is there? I want to get this sorted out in the next nine months before moving back home. Any advice on how to proceed?
4 Answers
If you don’t get the proper permits, you could run into some serious issues down the road, including hefty fines or even being asked to tear the structure down. It's crucial to sort this out before spending more money. Definitely reach out to the city about getting those permits sorted, even if it feels daunting.
You should definitely call your local city permit office and explain your situation to them. Being upfront might help you out more than you think. They may guide you on what steps to take next without penalizing you too harshly.
Yeah, I agree! It's usually better to approach them yourself first. They'll appreciate your honesty.
I know it sounds scary, but being proactive is key. The county wants things done safely, so going to them might actually work in your favor. Just be prepared for anything they ask or might require you to fix before proceeding.
I think the best move is to treat it as if you're starting fresh. Call the city and pull new permits as if you know nothing about the house's past. They might even be more lenient if you approach it this way. Also, it’s likely you'll need an inspection, so do as much prep work as you can before they come out.
True! And remember, if they assess it and find it's not up to code, you might need to make significant adjustments. Better safe than sorry!