City wants site plans despite permit not needed

[Jay Y.]

Hi all,

A friend has a house within in the city of Roswell GA and had a couple retaining walls built and concrete poured. Walls under 30 inches doesn't require permitting. City issued a stop work order but later admited no construction, land disturbance, nor storm water permit is needed. However city engineer still wants site plans... Sounds like someone may be on a power trip and just being mean? Just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar before or if this is standard practice?

Thanks!

[Patricia Steiner]

I recommend that your friend actually go to the Building Division and meet with an official there; he should explain that what his understanding of the code was when he started the work and in no means meant to circumvent any regulation or building code.  Have him go in under the guise that he is wanting to understand what was required and how this can be amicably resolved at this time by a property owner.  When he seeks to understand first, the chances of having an official walk it all back is a lot greater than letting an inspector prove that he can own you for life.  Just saying...they got big titles and little paychecks so the payback is hell.  The goal here is to - again - share what he thought the code was when he started (did I misread this?) and how to get this back on track (what can I do to make you feel better about what I'm trying to achieve?).

Hope this helps...