Building Permitting Process

[OnPoint]

[quote=briansd1]To build a garage, my guy is quoting me roughly:

$1,500 for plans to submit (include parcel research, looking up setbacks, buildable area, etc…

$500 if he does the permitting process.

He thinks the city fees will be about $1,200 (up to a max of 5 inspections during the building process).

Of course the cost to build the structure is extra.[/quote]

Sounds low. I was looking into doing a parcel merge. As I recall, City of SD told me that initial feasibility reviews (can the project proceed at all) were ~$600 per discipline (electrical, plumbing, surveying, etc). I would have needed at least two. Then general build plans would need review; then detailed blueprints; then inspections during the build.

I assume your garage would have at least electrical? Water too?

I did not proceed. It’s just so much easier to do nothing 🙂

And you may have heard this before, but when you get a ruling like “yes, we’ll allow this,” get it in writing. Story I was told by neighbors: got stopped mid-project while doing work approved by inspector A. Then inspector B came along and said no way. They were able to prove the work had been officially OK’ed. But that process alone took weeks (i.e., add cost of extra month offsite rental while project is stalled).

[briansd1]

[quote=OnPoint]

I assume your garage would have at least electrical? Water too?

I did not proceed. It’s just so much easier to do nothing 🙂
[/quote]

This is just extension of parking space. From my contractor, I understand that all I need is walls, a roof and a garage door.

For electrical and potential plumbing, I’d just as well go in after the fact and not deal with permitting and inspection.

For a garage, I don’t even think that I need drywall or insulation on the inside.

I’ve done work with my contractor before and I trust him to do good work. He’s a hands-on person and not a marketing/salesman kinda guy. But he doesn’t deal with permitting and referred me to someone else for that.

[briansd1]

[quote=OnPoint]

I assume your garage would have at least electrical? Water too?

I did not proceed. It’s just so much easier to do nothing 🙂
[/quote]

This is just extension of parking space. From my contractor, I understand that all I need is walls, a roof and a garage door.

For electrical and potential plumbing, I’d just as well go in after the fact and not deal with permitting and inspection.

For a garage, I don’t even think that I need drywall or insulation on the inside.

I’ve done work with my contractor before and I trust him to do good work. He’s a hands-on person and not a marketing/salesman kinda guy. But he doesn’t deal with permitting and referred me to someone else for that.

[briansd1]

[quote=OnPoint]

I assume your garage would have at least electrical? Water too?

I did not proceed. It’s just so much easier to do nothing 🙂
[/quote]

This is just extension of parking space. From my contractor, I understand that all I need is walls, a roof and a garage door.

For electrical and potential plumbing, I’d just as well go in after the fact and not deal with permitting and inspection.

For a garage, I don’t even think that I need drywall or insulation on the inside.

I’ve done work with my contractor before and I trust him to do good work. He’s a hands-on person and not a marketing/salesman kinda guy. But he doesn’t deal with permitting and referred me to someone else for that.

[briansd1]

[quote=OnPoint]

I assume your garage would have at least electrical? Water too?

I did not proceed. It’s just so much easier to do nothing 🙂
[/quote]

This is just extension of parking space. From my contractor, I understand that all I need is walls, a roof and a garage door.

For electrical and potential plumbing, I’d just as well go in after the fact and not deal with permitting and inspection.

For a garage, I don’t even think that I need drywall or insulation on the inside.

I’ve done work with my contractor before and I trust him to do good work. He’s a hands-on person and not a marketing/salesman kinda guy. But he doesn’t deal with permitting and referred me to someone else for that.

[briansd1]

[quote=OnPoint]

I assume your garage would have at least electrical? Water too?

I did not proceed. It’s just so much easier to do nothing 🙂
[/quote]

This is just extension of parking space. From my contractor, I understand that all I need is walls, a roof and a garage door.

For electrical and potential plumbing, I’d just as well go in after the fact and not deal with permitting and inspection.

For a garage, I don’t even think that I need drywall or insulation on the inside.

I’ve done work with my contractor before and I trust him to do good work. He’s a hands-on person and not a marketing/salesman kinda guy. But he doesn’t deal with permitting and referred me to someone else for that.

[briansd1]

[quote=davelj] Getting the extra square footage permitted was important to me, and the actual construction costs came in well below my initial estimate, so it all came out in the wash. But… dealing with the City was a major pain in the ass. I had no idea how fucked up it would be.[/quote]

I can see how getting the additional space in the condo permitted was important, especially for resale value.

I know people who built houses designed with the intention of adding living space later ( via loft/second floor, closing in breezeways, etc…). They were maxed out on living space so they just built inside, without permits, after the structures were completed and passed inspection.

There’s nothing wrong or unsafe about not getting a permit, other than the official records don’t show the additional space.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.

[briansd1]

[quote=davelj] Getting the extra square footage permitted was important to me, and the actual construction costs came in well below my initial estimate, so it all came out in the wash. But… dealing with the City was a major pain in the ass. I had no idea how fucked up it would be.[/quote]

I can see how getting the additional space in the condo permitted was important, especially for resale value.

I know people who built houses designed with the intention of adding living space later ( via loft/second floor, closing in breezeways, etc…). They were maxed out on living space so they just built inside, without permits, after the structures were completed and passed inspection.

There’s nothing wrong or unsafe about not getting a permit, other than the official records don’t show the additional space.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.

[briansd1]

[quote=davelj] Getting the extra square footage permitted was important to me, and the actual construction costs came in well below my initial estimate, so it all came out in the wash. But… dealing with the City was a major pain in the ass. I had no idea how fucked up it would be.[/quote]

I can see how getting the additional space in the condo permitted was important, especially for resale value.

I know people who built houses designed with the intention of adding living space later ( via loft/second floor, closing in breezeways, etc…). They were maxed out on living space so they just built inside, without permits, after the structures were completed and passed inspection.

There’s nothing wrong or unsafe about not getting a permit, other than the official records don’t show the additional space.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.

[briansd1]

[quote=davelj] Getting the extra square footage permitted was important to me, and the actual construction costs came in well below my initial estimate, so it all came out in the wash. But… dealing with the City was a major pain in the ass. I had no idea how fucked up it would be.[/quote]

I can see how getting the additional space in the condo permitted was important, especially for resale value.

I know people who built houses designed with the intention of adding living space later ( via loft/second floor, closing in breezeways, etc…). They were maxed out on living space so they just built inside, without permits, after the structures were completed and passed inspection.

There’s nothing wrong or unsafe about not getting a permit, other than the official records don’t show the additional space.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.

[briansd1]

[quote=davelj] Getting the extra square footage permitted was important to me, and the actual construction costs came in well below my initial estimate, so it all came out in the wash. But… dealing with the City was a major pain in the ass. I had no idea how fucked up it would be.[/quote]

I can see how getting the additional space in the condo permitted was important, especially for resale value.

I know people who built houses designed with the intention of adding living space later ( via loft/second floor, closing in breezeways, etc…). They were maxed out on living space so they just built inside, without permits, after the structures were completed and passed inspection.

There’s nothing wrong or unsafe about not getting a permit, other than the official records don’t show the additional space.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]

I know people who built houses designed with the intention of adding living space later ( via loft/second floor, closing in breezeways, etc…). They were maxed out on living space so they just built inside, without permits, after the structures were completed and passed inspection.

There’s nothing wrong or unsafe about not getting a permit, other than the official records don’t show the additional space.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.[/quote]
You are at risk that you will be asked to tear it down.
It happens.

And we were VERY glad we had the permit(s) required… While in the grading phase, an inspector from the engineering department came by and demanded to see the permit. The contractor hadn’t called him… he just saw heavy equipment and he dropped by. He would have shut the job down.

It’s risky to do a visible project without a permit.

Small stuff, like moving an outlet or light fixture… less risky. Big stuff, visible from the street… more risk.

Do you feel lucky, punk? (said in my best Clint voice.)

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]

I know people who built houses designed with the intention of adding living space later ( via loft/second floor, closing in breezeways, etc…). They were maxed out on living space so they just built inside, without permits, after the structures were completed and passed inspection.

There’s nothing wrong or unsafe about not getting a permit, other than the official records don’t show the additional space.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.[/quote]
You are at risk that you will be asked to tear it down.
It happens.

And we were VERY glad we had the permit(s) required… While in the grading phase, an inspector from the engineering department came by and demanded to see the permit. The contractor hadn’t called him… he just saw heavy equipment and he dropped by. He would have shut the job down.

It’s risky to do a visible project without a permit.

Small stuff, like moving an outlet or light fixture… less risky. Big stuff, visible from the street… more risk.

Do you feel lucky, punk? (said in my best Clint voice.)

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]

I know people who built houses designed with the intention of adding living space later ( via loft/second floor, closing in breezeways, etc…). They were maxed out on living space so they just built inside, without permits, after the structures were completed and passed inspection.

There’s nothing wrong or unsafe about not getting a permit, other than the official records don’t show the additional space.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.[/quote]
You are at risk that you will be asked to tear it down.
It happens.

And we were VERY glad we had the permit(s) required… While in the grading phase, an inspector from the engineering department came by and demanded to see the permit. The contractor hadn’t called him… he just saw heavy equipment and he dropped by. He would have shut the job down.

It’s risky to do a visible project without a permit.

Small stuff, like moving an outlet or light fixture… less risky. Big stuff, visible from the street… more risk.

Do you feel lucky, punk? (said in my best Clint voice.)

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]

I know people who built houses designed with the intention of adding living space later ( via loft/second floor, closing in breezeways, etc…). They were maxed out on living space so they just built inside, without permits, after the structures were completed and passed inspection.

There’s nothing wrong or unsafe about not getting a permit, other than the official records don’t show the additional space.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.[/quote]
You are at risk that you will be asked to tear it down.
It happens.

And we were VERY glad we had the permit(s) required… While in the grading phase, an inspector from the engineering department came by and demanded to see the permit. The contractor hadn’t called him… he just saw heavy equipment and he dropped by. He would have shut the job down.

It’s risky to do a visible project without a permit.

Small stuff, like moving an outlet or light fixture… less risky. Big stuff, visible from the street… more risk.

Do you feel lucky, punk? (said in my best Clint voice.)

[Author]

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