Pulling a permit for existing construction

[Ray Harrell]

So I have a dilemma. One of my tenants called the buildings department on me because she was being evicted. They came and found 12 items, mostly small things like broken floor tile, bathroom mildew, a hole in the wall. The last item was "no permit or drawings on file to duplex first floor to basement". This work was done years before I even purchased the building, but I realize I'm on the hook for it.

At the hearing, they did a "no suit" for all 11 items since they were repaired, and gave me a 150 day extension on the permit part. QUESTION: Can I get a general contractor to draw plans and submit drawings and pull a permit? Do I HAVE to hire a licensed architect. I can't imagine that licensed contractors hire architects just to finish a basement.

Truthfully, I'm not so sure the building wasn't built with the first floor duplexed down because there is only one other exit from the basement and that's to the outside. There is no door or evidence of a previous entrance from the inside common hallway.

Any suggestions?