The consequences of building without a permit
The Virginia-Pilot has a story about a person who built a 2 story structure without a permit and was finally found out by the building department. Despite the fact that I have written extensively about the negative consequences of building without a permit (see my last book, The Building Process Simplified), I am still amazed at the brazenness of people who think they won’t get caught even though they are building something everyone can see! I suppose they hope they’ll get by with a small fine and an apology but will be allowed to keep the illegal structure. While a few might get a variance or pass inspection, many of these structures have to be torn down. Most people who do this are trying to avoid paying for the permits or the other costs of compliance. I have had many of them argue with me in court when they are prosecuted even though the violation is clear. The costs they incur when they are caught far exceed the cost of the permit.
