Hi everyone! My family just bought a house in California, and we decided to make some updates, including changing the floors and renovating the entire kitchen. Unfortunately, a neighbor reported us, and now we've received a stop-work order from the city. I'm looking for advice or experiences from anyone who has been in a similar situation. How should we handle this? Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
4 Answers
You’re probably going to face some fines and get a closer inspection going forward since you've been caught breaking the rules. Just be prepared for extra scrutiny after this incident. Best of luck!
If you made substantial changes like opening walls or altering electrical work, you’ll need to get in touch with your local city or county office. They might require an inspection of the walls if any changes were made. It’s a hassle, but getting everything code-approved is essential. Good luck navigating this!
California is notorious for strict laws about renovations, so brace yourself. But hey, you could always distribute some cheeky "snitches get stitches" flyers around the neighborhood to lighten the mood! Just kidding—sort of!
From what I've heard, the city typically wants you to get the proper permits retroactively, and you may have to pay for fines as well. It’s best to consult someone experienced with local building codes—maybe a licensed general contractor. They can guide you through the process and ensure everything meets code, or else you might be forced to undo some of the work. As a side note, if you used a realtor, they might help clarify any obligations you have regarding this.