How can I add a closet to a room without a permit?

[Luz Pagan]

Hi BP,

Last week my contractor informed me that he has requested to enlarge one of the rooms in the house, but explained to me that if I add a closet I will end up expending more money than intended.  Here is the situation: When I originally hired him I inform him that I want to enlarge the room, to make it a 3 beds home. He informed me that He will have to hire someone to inspect the septic and pay if need to improve its capacity. This means that I cannot sell the house a 3 beds home. Basically, I am enlarging the room for no reason. The following were some ideas and recommendations I have received:

1. Place a wardrobe instead of a closet.

2. Add a pole and a couple of shelves

Any other ideas?

[Kevin Martin]

Are you wanting to go from a 2 bedroom to a 3 bedroom? If so, and they pull a permit for the work then the septic system will more than likely need to be upgraded(or not) depending on the requirements for your city/state. Obviously you are not adding a bath or kitchen so it will more than likely be ok but I know here in my area the health department goes by the number of bedrooms. 

If you are just adding a closet then I don't understand what the problem is. Is it because now it's a conforming bedroom with the new closet? According to the building code a bedroom needs to have a minimum size, min. ceiling height, ,means of egress, a light, and minimum outlets. It Doesn't mention anything about a closet....but I'm sure there is some other code, law, statue ect. that gives a definition of a bedroom which appraisers hang their hat on.