This Girl’s House

This episode is all about permits.  I’ll talk about why you want to obtain a permit for most work done on our home or property.  I won’t discuss here in this episode how you obtain a specific permit or the costs associated with hiring or obtaining professional help, but I will tell you how much individual permits costs AT THE COUNTY, when I built my house, I’ll speak to the general permitting process then and now, and I’ll talk about my specific experiences recently, as I work to obtain a permit to build a garage. Length: 27:40. Published 05/19/08. Podcast

If someone had told me how difficult it would be to navigate the permitting process, I might have never built my home.  Even now, after years of handling the permit process, it still turns my stomach, stirs my bowels, and takes all my will to begin and finish the job.   Maybe 10 years from now, I’ll handle the process like a pro.  Maybe.  I’d rather do any other job necessary to build the house, then go through the permitting process, and many people feel like I do.  I’ve read a lot of books on how to build a home, but none of the books I’ve read touch on the toughness and work that one needs to bring into play to get the permitting job done right.

Why do you need a permit?  With neighbors, satellite and the cell phone, there’s no where in this country that you can clear, build or renovate without someone noticing.  Maybe they won’t see the damage right away, or while  you’re doing it.  But someone will see  it.  Depending on the extent of the work, and your relationship with your neighbors, you may get away with for a while or not.  But eventually, the bill comes due. 

How to conduct a visit to the county for the purpose of obtaining a permit:

• Be prepared and organized.
• Use file folders, binder clips, tabs, plastic protectors, binders and clipboards.
• Make sure you have enough copies.  It is unlikely there will be a copy machine for you to use in the lobby.
• Make sure you have the right plans and paperwork.
• If you have too much stuff to carry reasonably, bring one of those suitcases on rollers.
• Bring something to keep you occupied, perhaps a good book, your knitting and ipod.
• If you’re bringing children, bring something to occupy them as well.
• Expect a long long wait (there is no such thing as a quick drop off), and if you don’t have one you won’t be disappointed.
• Be prepared for many many such trips.
• Be courteous and respectful.  Make a point to get to know the people you’re working with.  This will be a long relationship.
• Bring refreshments.
• Bring a cell phone.
• Don’t leave your pet or children in the car.

How much were the permits to build my home in 2003:

• Wetlands Permit: $1500
• Site Development (includes Floodplain Determination, Storm Drainage Inspection, Site Development Evaluation and Erosion Control Inspection): $389.55
• Burn Permit: $50
• Driveway approach or egress into the property: $60
• Septic and Well: As-built $175, Well site reinspection fee of $105,
• Building Permit (includes Plan check fee $150, peninsula school district impact $1675, Parks impact $294, plat admin impact fee $50, New Whole House Mechanical 430, New Whole House Plumbing $85): $3250.50
• Fire and Safety Permit: $50 and $50
• Residential Alarm Permit: $135
• Electrical Permit (Underground, temporary, permanent and house): This permit is obtained from Dept of Labor and Industries.  $45, $100
• Title Notification Fees:  $200
• Total Costs for Permits (not including professional work):  $5510

Related Links:

Pierce County Planning and Land Services – http://www.piercecountywa.org/pc/services/home/property/pals/palsmain.htm
International Code Council – http://www.iccsafe.org/safety/safety.html
Owner Builder – http://www.ownerbuilder.com/permits.shtml
How to Fix Building Construction Buerocacy – http://www.mattmcalister.com/blog/2007/05/31/178/how-to-fix-building-construction-bureaucracy/
The Dirt on Buying Land – http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/2003/10/01/350569/index.htm