Building department trouble’s

[Chris Brall]

In lake county Indiana. I rehabbed a home and was caught without building permit I went through the process of getting a permit but my original plan needed a variance after the process and being denied the variance at the board meeting I decided to change the plans to build the structure in the same footprint and received two building permits. One for the house construction and one for the garage. I completed both and received my final inspection off the house but not the garage permit. While under contract to sell the property the buyer went to get a permit for an out building and the building department said I have open permits. I tried to schedule an inspection but the manager said I didn’t complete the variance process and is stating I need to go through the whole process again and won’t inspect the property and give a final approval on the garage permit. This will cost thousands more to complete and loose many potential buyers . i have started the process for a land survey. I have been trying to be as nice as peach pie in order to move the situation along as fast as possible. i was present when my listing broker called the manager to try and get a resolution and the manager lied twice during the conversation and contradicted himself at least twice during that conversation. I am at the mercy of this department and just want to move forward but seem to be going backward. 
Anyone else who has been through this kind of thing?

Any suggestions on what direction to take? 

Thank you.

[Carini Rochester]

In this field, inspectors tend to remember the guy who proceeded with the job but didn't get the building permit. Then it got worse and you proceeded with work that didn't comply with the zoning ordinance! You can never undo that. You are right to be as nice as peach pie . . . now. But, you did violate the building permit process and the zoning ordinances. It even sounds like you blew off the zoning portion twice. Once for the work on the house and second for the garage. Work through the process. Submit whatever they ask for. Stay polite and nice. Don't do any more work in that town for at least a decade.