06-27-2008, 08:01 AM
There's a lot of reasons folks build without permits here. Honestly, many of the non-permitted structures I've seen lately *are* built to code or darn close (built to the LAST version of Hawaii county code-oops) and built by very capable people (or their very capable ohana).
Some people need to build immediately to have a roof over their heads. Waiting a few months for the drafting, another month or two for permits, means these families & pets must rent or camp in a tent for four months before they even break ground. Renting with pets is near impossible...but I could call in my ohana & have a small unpermitted cabin built in a weekend for me and the zoo. I'd do it too, I would if it kept me on my land and out of the Puna rain.
It could be purely financial. Again, drafting for $1-3k, architects fees (maybe another $400), permit costs, cesspool/septic costs + permit, electrician + permit, plumber + permit...it adds up. Around here, a few grand is a LOT of money for many people.
And there's always the contingency who are VERY capable & just don't want the government telling them what to do.
I've seen very fine houses going up unpermitted, but the owner plans to get it permitted *after* the home is built.
Permitted structures also raise your tax bill if I'm understanding the PW tax threads correctly. I've met a few folks who plan to die on their land, so permits for resale/appraisal value don't matter diddly-doo-da to them.
Some folks, like me, want to disassemble their little cabin and take it with them to their next lot. You can't take a permitted structure with ya when you go- unless it's a mobile home or maybe if you get a demolition permit. (???)
I'm not advocating building without permits, especially if anyone at county is reading this [
] I also hope this doesn't come off as pissy, not intended...I just wanted to give a broader view on why this happens. It is a way of life here & you'll sell yourself short if you judge folks or the quality of their homes on a permit application. There's awesome folks behind unpermitted homes - from the shacks to the mansions.
Some people need to build immediately to have a roof over their heads. Waiting a few months for the drafting, another month or two for permits, means these families & pets must rent or camp in a tent for four months before they even break ground. Renting with pets is near impossible...but I could call in my ohana & have a small unpermitted cabin built in a weekend for me and the zoo. I'd do it too, I would if it kept me on my land and out of the Puna rain.
It could be purely financial. Again, drafting for $1-3k, architects fees (maybe another $400), permit costs, cesspool/septic costs + permit, electrician + permit, plumber + permit...it adds up. Around here, a few grand is a LOT of money for many people.
And there's always the contingency who are VERY capable & just don't want the government telling them what to do.
I've seen very fine houses going up unpermitted, but the owner plans to get it permitted *after* the home is built.
Permitted structures also raise your tax bill if I'm understanding the PW tax threads correctly. I've met a few folks who plan to die on their land, so permits for resale/appraisal value don't matter diddly-doo-da to them.
Some folks, like me, want to disassemble their little cabin and take it with them to their next lot. You can't take a permitted structure with ya when you go- unless it's a mobile home or maybe if you get a demolition permit. (???)
I'm not advocating building without permits, especially if anyone at county is reading this [
] I also hope this doesn't come off as pissy, not intended...I just wanted to give a broader view on why this happens. It is a way of life here & you'll sell yourself short if you judge folks or the quality of their homes on a permit application. There's awesome folks behind unpermitted homes - from the shacks to the mansions.
* I'd rather fail at happiness than succeed at misery *