City Building Inspector Duties - Page 2

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Karnerblue There are people who make significant alterations to homes without getting the required building permit. I imagination the inspector was in your area and either heard or saw the activity and was just checking to see if it was something requiring a permit. No he would not need an appointment but he should have shown his ID and explained what he was doing. I doubt I'd make too big a deal about this. It may come back to bite you.

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gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

Part of the job for a building inspector is to monitor building activity in the community. Things like a dumpster, contractor truck parked nearby, lumber delivery, etc., can all indicate unpermitted activity going on. Even the sound of power saw running can indicate something going on. I suspect your flooring contractor had their saw set up outside and the inspector saw it and stopped to see what was going on. It's all part of his/her job.

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drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

Yes, we had the exct same thing happen. We were getting a new kitchen. And the inspector saw the van of the "kitchn guy" in our driveway and stopped. He was checking to see that all the right permits were filed and what exactly was being done.

We were not there. The "kitchen guy" apparently handled it well because there was never any problems.

Maybe the inspetor didn't show ID because he was driving a muncipal truck? The name of the municiality is on the truck? I know in our municipality that is his job - to drive around and see what work people are having done and is the job up to code and were permits filed. We expect it whenever we have work done.

Karnerblue · ‎03-18-2015

I was thinking of calling but I don't know if I should. I just think it's good practice to announce yourself, name and job title, when taking it upon yourself to enter property. The think that irritates me more, is the fact that people that live around us have added on a deck in their back yard, a fire pit that is not within safe distance from their building structure (and yes I checked to see what is considered safe) and no one bothers them and there was never a building permit. I guess if you do your own work you can get away with it. If we needed a building permit, we would have had one and it would have been appropriately viewed for them to see.

It's a very small town, as I explained. Everyone knows everyone (just about) and there is favortism for some because of positions city officials hold. Even the police don't take their job seriously and close their eyes to things they should not.

"Never water yourself down just because someone can't handle you 100% proof."

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Karnerblue There are people who make significant alterations to homes without getting the required building permit. I imagination the inspector was in your area and either heard or saw the activity and was just checking to see if it was something requiring a permit. No he would not need an appointment but he should have shown his ID and explained what he was doing. I doubt I'd make too big a deal about this. It may come back to bite you.

Wow! Based on some of these replies explaining how invasive some communities are about this, I'm glad I live in a rural county that has very little of this required.

We don't need permits for anything we have done, including building decks, sheds, remodeling, windows, doors siding, etc.

We were taking quotes on having a garage built and I'm pretty sure we didn't even need a permit for that. We did need one for the new septic, but I don't think we even needed one for some electrical work we hired done.

I know they are watching for safe and quality work, and it is supposed to be a protection for the consumer and the public, but in reality, I'm sure many of the permits are nothing more than another tax grab, with inspections and approvals given to contractors whether or not the work is up to codes. Corruption funded by the consumer/tax payer once more.

flickerbulb · ‎03-09-2010

I had a new a/c unit installed last summer. I had to have a permit for it and have it inspected twice by the the city. I had to display the permit until it passed inspection.

I also had a new concrete culvert poured and needed an inspection and permit. The company put out a little sign with the permit attached.

You also need permits for sheds, hot water heaters, fences and more in this county.

The inspector makes an appointment if he needs to come inside. I never saw the concrete inspector. They do ride around to see if construction work has permits.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

Our city doesn't have the manpower to have the inspectors drive around looking for things. The only time they would check is if someone turned you in for not having a permit.

I'm not even sure what all we need a permit for. I know we needed one when our house was rewired and we needed one when we added on our deck and built a barn in the back. We also needed one when we took out a picture window and had a sliding glass door installed. We did not have to have one when our a/c was replaced.

I do know here, it is the owner's responsibility to make sure the proper permits are pulled and displayed. Normally the contractor does it and should but if they don't, you as the homeowner will be the one to get fined, if required to have one.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

I'm not doubting you, @Karnerblue, but it sound so weird to me. From my understanding, a permit is needed when making alterations to the actual structure of the dwelling/property - adding a deck, patio, second garage, dormer, sunroom, that sort of thing, but not for making decorative home improvements. And I would think that the filing of those permits is what alerts the building inspector to check things out - certainly not hearing a little hammering or seeing a truck with advertising parked in the driveway. I think your guy was just being nosy. Who knows, maybe he was hoping to catch you doing something that was a violation.