Open Permits & Code Violations

[Lesley J.]

I am working on an REO deal that is in need of Rehab, the property has been half rehabbed already and needs more. It appears that the garage has been converted into a master suite.

I am trying to figure out if there have been any code violations or if there are open permits for this work. I have been on the miami dade website and found that there was one violation in 2005 for starting work without a permit but it seems to be related to damage after hurricane Wilma. and appears to be closed.

How can I find out if there are any open permits without knowing the permit numbers?? it's obvious the work already done needed permits but i can't find the records.

thanks

Lesley

[Brian Levredge]

Robert brings up a good point. In most jurisdictions, what the inspector says, goes. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten conflicting info from planning dept officials telling me I didn't have to do something when in reality I did, or vice versa. It is the inspector that has to sign off on the permit card at the end of the day to close the permit so it is always best to check with him/her whenever possible.

It also doesn't hurt to try to gain an understanding of the relevant code section up for inspection as the code can be open to interpretation sometimes. You never know when you could get an inspector (usually a newbie) who is trying to change the world one property at a time.