Building Permit Problem

[tgalarneau]

I just found out our house never had a rough in or final building inspection back in 1992. It did get a final for the electrical and plumbing.

I was hoping someone might have gone through this problem and could let me know what needs to be done along with a time line and costs.

Tom

[Carey]

We found out the house we bought never had the electrical final recorded for a house addition that he seller had done in 2000. Since it had taken 7 mos. for the building Dept. to get us the records on this house (and it was 5 1/2 mos. after we closed on the house), we were more than a little concerned & perturbed. Went to the Building dept. and the counter lady finally realized she knew the electrictian who pulled the permit, called him & then finaled our records... Although yours is older, I would still advise going to the counter lady, she might know who to call...
Aloha, Carey

[Rob Tucker]

I think that is good advice. The bulding department will be quite helpful in finalizing your permit. There is also, at this time, an amnesty program in place for unpermitted buildings...the penalties are waived.

[Easygoing]

I wonder how long the amnesty program will be in effect?

[jdirgo]

One year, is what I seem to remember when it was announced, but you have additional time to complete the work (I think that time to finish the work is 18 months). As it was working its way through the County Council, those time frames may have changed.

John Dirgo, RA, ABR, e-PRO
Island Trust Properties, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.hawaiirealproperty.com

[John S. Rabi]

There was an article in the WHT the other day, regardless of the amnesty they issued just one(!) building permit for an unpermitted house! Just one! (There were additions, lanais, garages, etc. permitted "after the fact" but only one full house. Hard to believe.)

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
75-5870 Walua Road, Suite 101
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808)327-3185

[Kahunascott]

Amnesty ain’t Amnesty.
We have applied utilizing Kapohocats Company (Thank God) I don’t think you could do it on your own. Even with all her connections and contacts the Building Department has had us jumping through HOOPS. We bought our house with an unpermitted bedroom and converted ½ bath to a full.
So as the good residents we want to get it permitted. (And put it on the tax roll) It ain’t cheep and it ain’t easy.
The DOH has signed off and it’s back in the Building Department for final review.
The construction is to code but it’s been hell. The house was built in 73 so there are no plans. We had to have the house drawn up, stamped by and architect and a letter from him stating that he will be responsible for the existing structure. You need to get a plumber and electrician to pull their permits and the location and size of your cess pool.
Try to get those trades to cooperate.
The only thing the Amnesty program provides is a discount on the price of the permit!
Anyone interested in this process should contact Kapohocat, she knows the ropes.
I’ll let you know how we make out on our final.




Edited by - kahunascott on 03/09/2007 16:33:00

[haoleboy]

I would gladly pay 10x the standard permit fees if I could deal with a human in the building dept who posessed some commom sense, was able to use it, and didn't throw hurdles at me from other beauracracies to jump through.

Aloha
Richwhiteboy

“Bureaucracy is the death of all sound work” -
Albert Einstein

[Hotzcatz]

Next time take in a box of something tasty for the counterfolk next time you visit the Building Department. A dozen malasadas may help expedite your permit processing.

[Kapohocat]

Hotcatz, maybe be true sometimes. But not always.

Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
808 217-7578
http://bluewaterpm.125mb.com/index.html
"We help make building your dream home a reality"