Owner Builder permit and Certificate of Occupancy issues

[Catherine Wilkins]

I have owned a property in NC for 2 years now. Originally, I was listed as owner-builder on the renovation permit for Mechanical, Plumbing, and Building. I had a Licensed Electrician on my permit for electrical.

After I paid them, they never came back to complete the job so I coukd get my C of O and final inspection. I called and texted all year and finally got a response. They told me they went out of business and moved to the coast and won't be doing anymore electrical work or requesting my final for me. I had to put myself under Electrical once they notified me of no longer being in business.

Because of that, and because it took a year to get a response from them, I have had my house sitting vacant, not generating income, and I want to sell it to buy something closer to my house. The county is telling me I have to wait another year since I'm just now getting my Certificate of Occupancy. 

HELP!!! Is there any other way around waiting a year to sell?

What could happen if I sell anyway?

I'm under contract on a small farm near my home in SC and I don't want to lose it because I can't sell for a year.

[Caroline Gerardo]

@Wayne Brooks I read it wrong I thought the electrician pulled the permit. Get a licensed electrician to go down to planning with you and put permit in his name and pay him to complete. Go in person and ask the planning desk IF they will allow this and make an exception. Ask planning to go inspect what you did (pray you did everything to code, right? if not fix everything perfect now). Go with cookies and a sweet attitude.

Ask for extension on your other house. Where are you living now? 

@Catherine Wilkins you can't advertise the house for sale or lease at the time of the request and for at least one year after completion. 

If you sell the house within 12 months AFTER receiving the CO and it's proven the construction was not intended for your personal use, it can be considered a misrepresentation. The reason is owner builder is going to be sloppy and make mistakes but you have to live in the mess and fix it/ and you saved some time/cut corners for owner occupancy. 

Penalties:

• Misdemeanor of the first degree: This can result in a maximum imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to $1,000.
• Civil penalties: You may also face additional civil penalties depending on the specific circumstances.
• Permitting issues: Local permitting authorities might withhold final approval, revoke the permit, or pursue other actions against you, maybe not give you the CO.