Permit (unpermitted triggers for Bldg Dept)

[eigoya]

Looking at a home which has at least two unpermitted baths and a couple of rooms. If we buy and want to build a permitted addition, would it trigger a reexamination of house (ie: we would need to get additions permitted or removed?). Any input appreciated (and yes, we could just build unpermitted but I’m looking at what the cost (emotional, psychic  and financial) for having to do this…

[Puna Grace]

we could just build unpermitted but I’m looking at what the cost (emotional, psychic  and financial) for having to do this… -eigoya


I wonder if there isn't a broader social cost as well...


You would first have to get an "as Built" permit for the existing construction before a permit will be issued for new construction.

[eigoya]

Social cost of unpermitted or social cost of an as-built? Tax dollars, schools, cohesion of neighborhood?

[kalakoa]

Depends on the age of the house and additions, especially if any of the additions were built before December 1996.

In some cases, additions that survive a pre-purchase inspection will magically become permanent despite a lack of permits. I know of some in Hilo. Once property taxes are assessed on the extra square footage, nobody goes back to verify.

County also assesses property taxes on unpermitted buildings, which is a little like having the cake and eating it too.

[Puna Grace]

Social cost of unpermitted or social cost of an as-built? Tax dollars, schools, cohesion of neighborhood? - eigoya

Unpermitted.  The list is long.  Yet, there is also clearly a social cost to the fact that we have all of these rules, statutes, codes, zoning, etc.   

[randomq]

Most of the social costs of unpermitted homes are imposed by others that benefit from permits (mortgage companies, contractors, building supply manufacturers and sellers, their lobbyists, county government, neighbors treating their homes as an investment that must grow).

Most of the social costs of permitted homes are direct costs, in the form of unaffordability that forces people into wage slavery, enriching others via rental, or homelessness.

It should be a human right to build your own shelter as you see fit, as long as it does not cause harm to others.

[kalianna]

Agreed, randomq. What does "social cost" mean, anyway? We all extract a "social cost" by our mere existence. So should we all kill ourselves? Should mainlanders stop moving here? Should we all abandon our cars and walk everywhere? Where do you draw the line and who draws it?

[Puna Grace]

Good points randomq.  I agree with you that corruption spoils everything.  Without it we would still be able to build lovely single wall homes.


Still there is that social contract thing to weigh...  


kalianna you also raise good questions. I'm not a huge fan of wikipedia but here is what they say:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_cost

[kalakoa]

Still there is that social contract thing to weigh... 

Say more about this? Is my house also required to be a "job creator"? If I already can't afford to pay licensed tradespeople, then I'm not denying them an income no matter how I build the house. Nor am I evading property taxes -- County already taxes the "vacant" lot at a higher rate, and County is able to assess a valuation of an unpermitted structure.

If the County wants full compliance, maybe they should set reasonable requirements.

[Puna Grace]

Say more about this? - kalakoa

There isn't much to say.  The OP, who appears to be a very insightful person, is weighing a purchase which is the largest that most of us will ever undertake.  The OP has indicated that any input is appreciated.   While I can absolutely understand the passion and defensiveness of folks about their unpermitted homes, that choice is not for everyone.  Apologies if you don't appreciate my input.  I find the libertarian streak of the last few posts very refreshing.

You will have no argument from me either that your home should not be a job creator, nor that the county, and in fact any entity lording over us with force of arms, should be more than reasonable, about all things.