Wow, $300 for a permit !

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BrotherBart said:
What fascinates me is charging by the sq. ft. for the permit for roofing. Like it costs more to drive out for a few more shingles. I have fifty bucks that says he never even climbs up there.
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When we had our roof redone (bout 10 years back) the inspector came out wearing slacks, dress shirt, tie, and street shoes (i.e., flat leather soles). He was probably in his sixties if not older. He walked up that ladder like it was an indoor stairway and walked all around the roof in progress like he was strolling down the sidewalk. Now, our roof has a purty mild slope (5:12, I think) but the ladder was against the gable end, not the eve. I really don't like ladders on the gable end ... doesn't feel as stable.

Peace,
- Sequoia
 
Ratman said:
Renovations: Shall refer to any modifications made to an existing
structure that are structural, non-structural and cosmetic. For the
purpose of this ordinance renovations in existing structures are
cumulative and once the accumulated are of renovations equals or
exceeds 50% of the structure area the entire building must be brought
into compliance with adopted codes and ordinances to the same level
as a new structure.

huh?
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I believe that states: If you do some remodeling in stages or in full. Every time you complete a % of your total sqft. At the point you remodel more or equal to 50% of your total sqft (past and present get added together) you have to make the un-remodeled part up to all current codes. So basically if you do a large remodel your pretty much forced to bring the old parts up to code for your whole house.

I think.
 
I know it is a bit off topic but it is my favorite inspector story. My first house was built on a VA loan. Custom stained in place ash paneling in the huge family room. One piece of the paneling had an awful looking grain in it. Walking it down with the builder and the VA inspector the inspector looked at that piece of paneling and at me and said "You don't really want that in this house do you?". I replied "No but he, pointed to the builder, won't replace it."

The VA inspector put a size 11 boot right through the paneling and then looked at the builder and said "Any questions?". The builder was in shock but didn't say a word. But steam was coming out his ears.

We took the inspector to dinner and had a great time.
 
BrotherBart said:
I know it is a bit off topic but it is my favorite inspector story. My first house was built on a VA loan. Custom stained in place ash paneling in the huge family room. One piece of the paneling had an awful looking grain in it. Walking it down with the builder and the VA inspector the inspector looked at that piece of paneling and at me and said "You don't really want that in this house do you?". I replied "No but he, pointed to the builder, won't replace it."

The VA inspector put a size 11 boot right through the paneling and then looked at the builder and said "Any questions?". The builder was in shock but didn't say a word. But steam was coming out his ears.

We took the inspector to dinner and had a great time.
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classic!
 
If you choose not to get permit take lots of pictures
 
The only stove I've had inspected was the Napoleon, as it was part of a bigger renovation. Had several different inspectors at different times. One told me to cut a hole in the ceiling above the stove to let the heat up, and not to worry about installing a fire damper. (I had always planned to, and did, install a fire damper.) One inspector actually sat down with the woodstove manual and tried to figure out what she should be checking. The guy that did the actual final review barely even glanced at it. Since the builder was almost completely incompetent the only reason it's a safe install was because I did what I could myself and micromanaged the rest. But now I have a piece of paper for the insurance company.
 
Man, I'm glad I live in IN. IN doesn't require a permit for any work that you're performing on your own property, it doesn't matter what it is, anything from septic work/new install, completely new construction of a home, to minor remodels etc. No permits required (although you can get one if you wish).
 
chad101 said:
Our township requires you to pull a permit to REPLACE a wall outlet... It's all about $$$, and this is why I choose not to pull a permit or have an inspection on my stove. . Yea, it could burn me in the a** someday; accidents do happen...

My install is exceeds all manufacturer, state and local code requirements. It would pass inspection, I'm just not willing to pay for it. Now, if I was "forced" to sell my the house, I'd have the inspection done before it's listed. I don't plan on ever selling though.
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This is the truth. It's merely another way for the government to feed on you. Most of the time I have noticed that when they do go after people for lack of a permit, they only require them to pay the costs.....they never actually send people out to inspect it.....
 
$300 is high. It is a revenue source. If they wanted more people to have inspections done for safety, it would be a lower fee and then people would not mind spending a little more on their installs. If the inspector found something that needed to be changed, it would not hurt the wallet so much. High permit fees lead to cut corners sometimes. Local town assesors office up here use satellite photo software to look in peoples backyards to see who have unpermitted pools, decks and sheds. I agree with taking photos. The install is only as good as the installer and the inspection is only as good as the inspector. C.Y.A.
 
I don't know if it helps but Hampden Township told me if it was under $3,000 I didn't need a permit. I asked the installer to give me three invoices, one for the chimney, one for the chase, and one for the stove with different dates so none equaled more then $3,000 - not sure if I should admit that.
 
n3pro said:
I don't know if it helps but Hampden Township told me if it was under $3,000 I didn't need a permit. I asked the installer to give me three invoices, one for the chimney, one for the chase, and one for the stove with different dates so none equaled more then $3,000 - not sure if I should admit that.
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Same here cept it's $5000 and I'm in the most urban area of the state.

While I agree there's no way the city isn't making money on a $300 permit, no one mentioned the real reason for permits......tax assessment. Permits are records of improvements so the assessors do not need to reinspect a property to increase your assessed value.

I checked with my insurance agent and was told what was needed. Meet manufacturers installation specs, document with pics and you're good.
 
bought my house last year....1989 doublewide on top of block basement with fuel oil heat upstairs and electric down. asked insurance company bout the pellet stove installation....said as long as it's manufacture reccommened install...no permit or raise on insurance....got a englander 55shp-10 last year upstairs..barefoot pellets...kept me at 68 degrees on lower settings....just bought used 25-pdv for the basement, yet to install....happy with everything thus far! north central, pa

btw, burned 2.5 ton last year (was my only heat source)
 
I hadn't even given this any thought. My Morso went in an existing chimney so nothing was needed. I guess I better give them a call tomorrow before I put in the Oslo.
 
groan about it. You probably live near me. Remind them it counts as a mechanical permit in PA.

If you've got to frame in an opening, DON'T TELL THEM. That makes it an alteration. You can frame it in yourself, this isn't a biggie. For the mechanical permit inspection, you only need to show them a mostly completed product.

Also it took me six and a half weeks to get approval in my township.
 
Highbeam said:
"Inspections are not a source of revenue for the county, regardless what anyone might say. They are simply paying someone to drive out to your house, inspect your work, and file some paperwork about it."

This bit is false. They are taking your money, that's revenue. They are spending some of your money on the inspector, that's an expense. Whether or not the revenues exceed the expenses depends on many factors but I can guarantee you that the county is not loosing money on a 300$ permit for a stove.
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I would have to agree with Highbeam . . . there's no way the cost of the inspection (both time and in actual expenses) would cost $300. Inspections may not be the bread that the goverment takes in from tax payers . . . but it is the gravy that goes on the bread.
 
Highbeam said:
If the "law" requires you to pull a permit for the stove and you don't pull the permit then you officially have an illegal installation whether it was done properly or not. To the "man" installing it with proper clearances is just as important as having the permit approved.

I paid around 100$ for my lousy inspection. I knew more about the rules than the pro installer or the inspector. But whatever, it is now legal.

Just think, you would be liable for the family that died in a housefire due to the stove (really a chimney fire from poor maintenance) that you illegally installed. You may have sold the house 20 years ago but you are the bad guy.

You can take risks on the small things like not wearing gloves when you use a chainsaw that have very few consequences, the big things like an illegal stove can ruin you financially.
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The future liability issue is really easy to get around. When you sell the house you simply remove the stove, put it in the basement and nicely plug the cap. Problem solved. Let the new guy put it back in himself. You can even get it in writing all nice and legal like that the stove is removed if it bothers you. You always know you are going to get your pockets dumped when some government gets concerned about your safety. It's funny how throwing $$$$$ at them automatically makes it all hunkey dorey.
 
n3pro said:
I don't know if it helps but Hampden Township told me if it was under $3,000 I didn't need a permit. I asked the installer to give me three invoices, one for the chimney, one for the chase, and one for the stove with different dates so none equaled more then $3,000 - not sure if I should admit that.
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u just did....
 
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