Question about pulling building permit as the homeowner

[Glenn English]

I purchased a single family home in the suburbs just north of Boston- approximately 1300 sq ft/ 3BR,1BA and I'm in the process of gutting it. I went to get a building permit from the town as the "home owner" and they said that since I purchased the home under my LLC, they want me to sign an affidavit stating that I intend to live in the home once the project is complete. They said that if I'm not going to live there, then a contractor must pull the permit. I'm pretty much subbing everything out but it will cost me another $500+ for a contractor to pull the permit. What if I just say I changed my mind and decided to sell it? Has anyone else ever run into this?

[Jim K.]

@Glenn English

Absolutely. This is exactly how it works almost anywhere. You have to be the owner-occupant or a contractor to pull permits almost anywhere. You need to ask how long they're insisting you live in the home after the project and fulfill that requirement. This may be the first time you've run into this but it won't be the last. Pay the contractor, especially now that you've made your thoughts on this a matter of public record by publishing them here.