What Subtle Things Might Trigger A Permit In Rehab (L.A., CA)?

[Steven M.]

As a former home builder and land developer in Los Angeles County, I am quite astute to knowing how and where to submit plans and pulling building and land-related permits and all the fees required to do such work. That's all given. I have no questions doing all this. However and ironically, doing an existing home rehab is something new for me (it's easier to start from the ground up with a new house than doing a rehab, IMHO). My question is what kind of subtle or minimal event would trigger the need to pull a permit in a typical rehab other than the obvious? The obvious of course is a new electrical panel box, new home wiring, yard fence higher than 4', new plumbing and HVAC, new room addition, a new roof or a foundation fix....I get/know that much. But I was wondering what less not-so-always obvious and subltle things might trigger the need for a permit that might be easily overlooked when assessing a home rehab? Future projects are in Los Angeles County (not city). Thanks for weighing in.

[Bill Gulley]

Wiring is pretty under the radar if done quietly.

Neighbor's noise complaints

Parking complaints about worker's vehicles

Construction debris in the public eye or roll off dumpsters

Suppliers who might be required to report hot water sales, fireplaces, lots of wiring or plumbing fixtures under ordinances, they are required to get an address of where the items are being used. Sent to building regs usually.

Tenant complaints

Nosey neighbors who like to stir things up

Obvious construction going on, like reroofing with no permit posted, all city employees, water guys, street guys, utility guys and plain old cops all report suspicious activities now, they know if permits are required.

Your enemies or competitors, especially a competitor, they think if they have to get it so should you!

Your insurance agent will have concerns, even your lender, running illegal jobs can be a liability.

Then there` are the workers, the ones you ran off the job, the one who gets hurt, the one who feels the boss isn't paying right, I could go on, they can do stuff and smile. Not rally enemies, just getting even.

Hey, why not pull a permit if one is really required, or do it yourself quietly as long as it doesn't show up as a modification. Here, even painting a room in a commercial building needs a permit.....money hungry little &#$@&&, :)