Any Reason Why The County Won't Allow Us To Get Permits

[Chris G.]

Not sure if this is the ideal place to post this question but figured I'd still ask. We have a job at a property that requires a lot of maintenance on an awning that's connected to a building. It's very old so around 70% of the wood would be replaced and most of the sheet metal would be replaced. It would be the same height, width, and appearance just need to replace these to make it safe. The county has told us that they'll only allow a general contractor to pull permits, they won't even allow us to do maintenance without a permit (which we can't get) I've probably called 15 contractors around the area since it's kinda rural and either the job is too small for them so they refuse or they want a ridiculous amount to replace it (our cost would be 1/4 of what their bid is). So we're kinda stuck on what to do and don't really have any options or being forced to pay a high cost just for maintenance. Would there be any reason they'd require that or any suggestions? 

[Carini Rochester]

Sounds a bit odd. Most municipalities have a way for owners to do their own maintenance and upkeep. There might be a concern about structural adequacy. Perhaps a professional drawing of the repair showing lumber sizes and connections (screw sizes, bolt sizes and quantities, spacing, etc.) would help your cause. Workman's comp insurance is usually required for a construction company, but the building owner pulling a permit can get that requirement waived in the towns and city I am familiar with. Perhaps the awning that's there was never permitted, so from the county's perspective you can't repair/maintain an awning that their records says doesn't exist. Perhaps another phone call or visit to the county office. Maybe you get another reviewer who hands you the permit. I find different people in the same office often have different answers.