Expert: Dan Griffin - 3/15/2008

Question
Somebody I know has begun an addition without a permit. It is an approx 900 sq foot addition and they receivrd a letter from the local building dept (King county Wa) The addition is basically completely framed and temporarily dried in. The reason for not obtaining a permit in the first place is that the septic system would not pass the review. The system has been functioning fine for many years but the homeowner has reason to beleive it would not be approved for the addition. which brings us to where we are now. The question is what recourse does the county have if they continue construction until the addition is completed? Is it truly better forgiven than forbidden?

Answer
Jared, I don't have any experience with refusal to attempt to comply.  They will usually make you jump through all the hoops for starting without a permit, it upsets them.  It can often be worked out amicably with the appropriate "I'm sorry", "gee, I didn't know", "yes,sir/no,sir".  Sounds like you're looking at something more like "damb the torpedoes, full speed ahead" or the classic "nuts".  If there is electrical involved that will require any work by the electrical utility, it will not happen.  There may or may not be issues with homewoner's insurance.  Licensed subs will not be able to pull permits and should not work on the job - yeah, I know.....