Who am I to tell you what YOUR God does and doesn't permit?

First, this is the ONLY town in our nation and perhaps the World whereas you don't need a permit to jump off the IB Perrine Bridge.

Option 2 would involve multiple permits needing to be pulled and building inspector getting involved.

Should I pull permits?

Permits and materials/dumpster.

It also takes longer and is more expensive (permits) so you need to know where the market it heading.

You would never get a permit to re-open a restaurant on that property in this era. 

I have a clause in my lease agreements which is common that states that violence is not permitted on premises and if police have records of violence on premises, then landlord has right to evict.

Basically they said anything after the main meter is the home owners responsibility and that I would need to file permits as per the permitting requirements. 

The land records show only 823 sq feet, but they dug out the basement years back- without permits.