Do we need a permit?

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Q. We watch Home and Garden Television almost every night, and they have interesting projects, but we notice that they don’t have architects or building permits, or they don’t really mention that very often. Is it true that we only need an architect or a building permit for things like an addition or something big or noticeable if an inspector drives by? My neighbor told us we don’t need a permit to do work inside and that an engineer costs less to tell us what beams to use. Can you confirm this for us?

A. Ah, TV and your neighbor have something in common. Neither is presenting the truth. I have 500 words each week when it sometimes can take a book to answer questions. Media usually summarize, leaving out details that matter. Your neighbor apparently doesn’t know that all structural work or room addition or reconfiguration requires a permit, indoors or out. Some direct replacements, like a kitchen, may not, but always check with your municipality, not your neighbor. The “simple” things can land you in trouble with violations, penalties, court time, and redoing the work to meet code.

I recently encountered this when dealing with Hurricane Sandy damage repair permits. Bathrooms redone to add a tub/shower, laundry rooms relocated, bedrooms in finished basements (prohibited in most jurisdictions), and second kitchens. The list goes on. All these conditions are illegal without permits. In each case the owner was in denial about needing or wanting a permit, yet the rules require it. After much discussion, the owner finally realizes they aren’t escaping the problem, so floor plans are produced from accurate measuring, drawing with dimensions, details, and notes referring to code compliance, including even seemingly minor location of smoke and monoxide detectors. (This really isn’t so minor when you consider that seven children lost their lives to a fire in Brooklyn that smoke detectors might have prevented.)

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