Carport - who's right ?

[EightFingers]

Thanks, Rob. It seems then the only reason to not get a permit is becuase the project will not be built to code ie: the builder is too cheap/lazy or lacks the knowhow to build it to code.
I don't know what the deal re:Maui. I stayed at a B&B in Lahaina that was just built a couple years ago. She said it took a year (and some palm-greasing!) to get her permit.