Can I get a building permit after the fact?
April 22nd, 2009
aivi asked:
Torrance, CA. Made a small garage into a room, in addition to putting a wall on the patio. The patio isnt a room, just a giant storage place with a wall instead of an open side. Dad made it 20 years ago and it was only recently reported, maybe by our new neighbors. Dad was told by an La County worker to tear it down, pay a tear down fee, pay a permit fee and rebuild again, but that seems harsh. Can I talk to a supervisor that will give a fine in addition to the permit fee, rather than making us tear it down? My dad’s old now and I dont think he can rebuild anymore. Does anyone know who I can talk to?
The thing is, no experienced person came by to measure it or even look at his plans. 2 came by to just look at the junk my dad had in the yard, and based on what they saw on their computer, they noticed that my dad didnt get a permit for the room. The computer said the house was a 2 bedroom instead of a 3 that it is now. They didnt check if the room was structurally sound. My dad’s an engineer too and was the chief mechanical engineer at his old job in the Philippines. He built our house there. But I guess he didnt know America had tight rules about building or remodeling. In the Philippines, one didnt need to get a permit to remodel or make garages into rooms.
CAMINERO
Torrance, CA. Made a small garage into a room, in addition to putting a wall on the patio. The patio isnt a room, just a giant storage place with a wall instead of an open side. Dad made it 20 years ago and it was only recently reported, maybe by our new neighbors. Dad was told by an La County worker to tear it down, pay a tear down fee, pay a permit fee and rebuild again, but that seems harsh. Can I talk to a supervisor that will give a fine in addition to the permit fee, rather than making us tear it down? My dad’s old now and I dont think he can rebuild anymore. Does anyone know who I can talk to?
The thing is, no experienced person came by to measure it or even look at his plans. 2 came by to just look at the junk my dad had in the yard, and based on what they saw on their computer, they noticed that my dad didnt get a permit for the room. The computer said the house was a 2 bedroom instead of a 3 that it is now. They didnt check if the room was structurally sound. My dad’s an engineer too and was the chief mechanical engineer at his old job in the Philippines. He built our house there. But I guess he didnt know America had tight rules about building or remodeling. In the Philippines, one didnt need to get a permit to remodel or make garages into rooms.
CAMINERO
