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I am a Liberty Activist, a lic CA Contractor and a Designer. I am writing a book about the unintended consequnces of zoning and building codes and code violation citations. Essentially, documenting the crimes of Building Departments, Planners and Building Inspectors. The book will be written as an expose' of how the originally well intentioned system has gotten out of hand so bad now that "It's a crime", how these agencies violate person's civil and property rights. I am looking for verifiable events of violations against citizens by planners, code enforcement officers, plan checkers and such. Did the "tent nazis" throw the mother and infant out of the tent and onto the sidewalk? Here are a few samples of what I am looking for, City of San Diego forces pollution by not allowing salvaged trusses to be used. California energy commission so corrupt it didn't give credit for PV solar in energy calcs until 2008!! $400.00 City Fee for a 2 minute plan review for a skylight, then $88.00 to type the permit.
City Engineer planchecker bills $288.00 for 10 minute consult. City charges $289.00 for not checking a storm water plan, there is no stormwater plan to check, so they charge $289.00 to see no plan is there! City charges $1,400.00 for 30 minute OTC plan review. City requires a 3 week and $100.00 Historic Architect review to check a window replacement at back of house. City of San Diego tells entire neighborhoods you are not allowed to remodel the front of your house. You get the idea, "It's a Crime" what has happened to our Communities. I have a big name publisher waiting for this book please contribute *verifiable* graft, cronyism, incompetence and downright theft and extortion under the pretense of public safety
Please email me personally at luvhafiz@yahoo.com
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When you have a few minutes, please email me or call. Thanks.
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The fees here in Hawaii County are quite modest. Hardly something to complain about although I am sure that there are tales of unhappiness with our building department. I expect our tales will all pale in comparison with the woes of California. While you are at it you ought to have a chapter on WHY the permit and fee schedules in California are so high. For your book.... not for Punaweb please.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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[quote]Originally posted by Rob Tucker
I expect our tales will all pale in comparison with the woes of California.
Not really so. I was involved with the San Francisco Building Dept for over 15 years and I thought they were bureaucratic and corrupt until I came to Pahoa and built here. The experiences I have had with this Building Department are far worse than those I had in S.F.
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Amazing what different perceptions there can be of Hawaii County. Can only comment on our experience almost five years ago, but the county permit and inspection process was no problem. Even though we were owner-builder and using nontraditional building materials (Castleblock) we got the permit in just two weeks. While we contracted out the slab, plumbing and electrical, we constructed the shell entirely ourselves with part-time local help. Inspections were prompt, occasionally a little superficial, but never gratuitously hindered us. The final was no problem. The inspectors were cordial and we had a good relationship. What's not to like?
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I have been a contractor in Hawaii for 5 years. Before that I was a contractor in Baltimore. The system here is a bit behind the times, but it moves along well enough. All of the inspectors and reviewers I have encountered here have been fair and conscientious.
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The permit fees in Hawaii are CHEAP. My bitch with the system is the fact that there is a different permit and inspector for Electrical, Plumbing and Building. Why can't one inspector handle all three? It ain't that tough.
The lack of interest in efficiency is boggling. Maybe too many cousins need the work.
Dan
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What? Hawaii is actually fining Hawaiian's with blue tarps and 5 gallon buckets? Never seen that happen. I kinda wonder what the percentage of unpermitted shacks vs. permitted.
I know a lot of people that have a permit, with nothing finial/temp power and been that way for 20+ years with no problems on a small lot with shack practically on the street so it's not like hidden or too obvious on what's going on.
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For a different point of view, I do recommend traveling to and writing a chapter on Haiti, and Houston......the former collapsed because there are no regulations and code enforcement, and the latter is a zoning jumble in search of a city.
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Talking with friends who were contractors in California make me wonder how anyone can afford to build anything there. I don't having to walk the plans through all the different departments (anyone ever here of interoffice mail) but other than that the process was easy and quick for me. Always had pleasant helpful people in all the departments. Inspectors were also reasonable. I have an inspection this week. Hopefully will go smooth as well.
The funk stops here!
