07-24-2007, 02:07 PM
I'm with you. The ordinances are whatever the planning department interprets them to be, unless, of course, there a judicial interpretation. I'm focusing on your sentence regarding appliances that "heat food". This was the sticking point when I was looking in Kaua'i (ah Kauai -- those were the days when my dreams were more grandiose...and the properties I looked at, less so!).
I understand that if it walks like a duck, code enforcement is going to call it a kitchen or "cooking facilities" if there is any means, at the time of permitting, by which to cook the duck.
But if all you can do, at the time of permitting, is RINSE the duck, and make the duck a drink, I'm thinking you might be able to waddle on through the permitting process.
Your last two points are well taken...seems like it may not matter until you are pulling permits for improvements or selling.
It might ALSO matter when there has been an unpermitted improvement, oh, say, a very incongrouous fireplace, installed by the previous owner, that fireplace has EXPLODED, and you are faced, as a new buyer, with dismantling it or repairing it.
Amnesty?
I understand that if it walks like a duck, code enforcement is going to call it a kitchen or "cooking facilities" if there is any means, at the time of permitting, by which to cook the duck.
But if all you can do, at the time of permitting, is RINSE the duck, and make the duck a drink, I'm thinking you might be able to waddle on through the permitting process.
Your last two points are well taken...seems like it may not matter until you are pulling permits for improvements or selling.
It might ALSO matter when there has been an unpermitted improvement, oh, say, a very incongrouous fireplace, installed by the previous owner, that fireplace has EXPLODED, and you are faced, as a new buyer, with dismantling it or repairing it.
Amnesty?