Amnesty

[Kelena]

For MILLIONS of illegal immigrants? No, just one unpermitted fireplace. Let's say a fireplace has been installed and was installed without a permit (I know, my hypotheticals aren't very hypothetical -- I'm doing the best I can). Would the amnesty program cover that? How does it work?

[jdirgo]

The amnesty program is ending soon, but that's not a big concern. You have always been able to re-permit things "as-built". The amnesty program just eliminated a few hundred dollars in penalties.

John Dirgo, R, ABR, e-PRO
Aloha Coast Realty, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.hawaiirealproperty.com

[Carey]

Glen, There have been a few threads on the amnesty, the shortest & sweetest was:
http://www.punaweb.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2162&FORUM_ID=8&CAT_ID=1&Topic_Title=Permit+Amnesty&Forum_Title=Building+in+Puna
If you want a lot of reading, just do a search on "amnesty"
From what my musty ol' brain remembers from the postings, it can be done, it is not much different than just getting an 'as built', but you do not have a penalty, & some inspectors did not have a 'buy in' on the program.... & the Cat is the person to email for probably the most experience (maybe more than the inspectors....)

[Kelena]

Thanks, John and Thanks, Carey. That's heartening! I will take that little burglar's mask off and quit skulking around.

[Kahunascott]

Even with Cat’s assistance it was nearly impossible to get an amnesty permit. The County continued to ask for additional info and rewrites of the letter and they kept stalling. So we opted for the asbuilt permit route and they processed it right away. I think it cost an additional $400 in penalties and poof we got the permits. (All three)
One requirement is that the architect signs the plans that he/she is responsible for the structure and the foundation. After that the inspection is a breeze.
You will need a set of plans for the entire house including the fireplace and stamped by an architect.
I strongly suggest contracting with Cat for this process if you go it alone it may be a bit hard.
I think to permit a converted lani to a bedroom and a half bath to a full, drafts person, architect, construction manager, electrican, plumber and the permits was around $2,200.00. Not a bad price to add 296 SF to your existing house.