And that was last year before the fires. 

There are few places that I think have a higher fire risk.

Saika  While a permit is a hassle, what happens if there was a fire, it burned down, someone got killed and the fire department was not even aware the unpermitted structure existed.

I am beginning to worry after the recent fires, so I am starting now. 

My suggestions:* Requiring code compliance and safety equipment is absolutely valid and should be part of the regulations* Requiring owners live within 15 miles is not necessary since poor hosts whether they're local or distant will violate the 3-5 warning system and earn a suspension.

He mentioned the distance to the nearest fires (about 20 miles), but the bank isn’t budging.

Quote from @Ana Mills: The high quotes for the electricians will be way cheaper than having your handyman do it and it causing damage, causing a fire, or even worse causing a fire later when someone is living there and that person/persons getting hurt because of the work being done by an unlicensed worker doing the work. 

With the fires, labor and materials are going to be in short supply.

Most other things are worth attempting to resolve yourself after ensuring safety and doing research.

@Jim G.Per the International Residential Code if the glazing is less then 60 inches vertically from a standing or walking surface then yes it’s required to be safety glass as it’s considered a hazardous area.