OK my story is kind of long so keep reading if you want, or not.
About a year and half ago the wife and I decided we would build a metal 40'x40' shop on our 1-acre property. I work for a civil engineering firm so I drew up plans for the slab at work and had it approved by our engineer. The slab was actually above and beyond what the county required so I wasn't concerned about that part when moving forward.
I knew I needed a building permits, but after reading the requirements I decided not to get one. The reason being if you build a traditional stick-built structure you can simply state (no drawing req'd) it will be 2x4 stud walls, 2x8 rafters, etc. and get a permit no problem. Apparently any other than stick-built is an "engineered structure", which which requires signed and sealed plans by a licensed mechanical engineer. Said plans were "available" from the building company, but for a $5K addutional fee! Since the building was just over $10K that seemed silly so I decided to press on without a permit.
I hired the concrete contractor, gave him my plans for the slab, and he went to work. I took a bunch of in-process pictures, and over the span of a few days, he had it all done. I decided I would hire an electrical contractor to run the feeder wire from the house to the shop so I went ahead called to get the existing utilities located for him. I'm still not certain, but I think that was my big mistake.
About two days later I cam home to find a big placard "STOP WORK" on my door. It listed the state law I was breaking if I proceeded along with the penalty and who to call with the county. My first thought was "I just spent $7K on a slab on concrete for nothing!".
I called the inspector and he was very combative on the phone, and it was clear he had the code on his side and wouldn't have to give an inch. So I submitted an application for the permit, and waited to hear back. I got a letter a few days later stating verbatim the requirements listed for the permit on their website regarding the engineered plans. I also noticed the building inspector sent a notice to the health department for them to inspect my slab to see if it was in violation of the septic system codes. He had it in for me I was convinced.
Regarding the septic system, we deal with those at work, so I knew what to do/not to do there. I actually did a site plan drawing prior to any work and had our crews stake the slab location for the concrete contractor before he started work. The health department inspector came out, approved my slab location, no problem.
As fate would have it, a co-worker of mine retired from the county and knew the building inspector well. He told me if I went in and told him "My neighbor got by with no plans, why can't I", that was basically saying to him You didn't do your job before". IOW, a slap in the face to him and his position. My co-worker advised me to go meet him in person with 'hat in hand' so to speak, explain my position, and ask the inspector if there is anyway he could help me. IOW, my attitude would probably determine the outcome vs. what the code stated if I played it right.
A couple of days later I showed up to the inspector's office with my paperwork, and attitude in check. When I showed him my technical drawings of the slab along with in-process pictures of the above and beyond slab construction, I could tell his attitude changed towards me and what I was trying to build. I also explained with my budget there was no way I could proceed if he needed a $5K set of plans. I could tell he wanted to help me move forward, but he stated the reason they were cracking down was because lots of these structures were being erected without permits/inspections, and not being anchored properly in most cases. He said due to this fact, he needed a detail drawing from the building company showing the anchor system to be used. He said if I could get that, he would approve the permit.
Having done lots of research before starting this project, I knew the anchor system that would be used, and it was stated on the building companies' website, but there was no "drawing". I've been a draftsman for almost 30 years, so creating what he wanted would be no problem. I asked the building company to be sure which anchors they would use (typical "Red-Hedge" wedge-style, for those familar) to anchor the building to the slab. Once confirmed, I did my own detail showing all the data as provided by the anchor manufacturer showing the dimensions, part numbers, load numbers, etc.
After getting the necessary detail drawing together, I went back for another visit from the inspector and he finally approved my permit. After the building was erected he came out and inspected it and it passed with flying colors.
All my problems were brought on myself, but it all started because I knew with the county's code I couldn't even start because of their engineered plan requirement. Had I known the inspector was there to to work with me, not against me as I thought, it would have gone MUCH more smoothly and would have been completed sooner. I chalk it up to another lesson learned.
Edit: My neighbors could care less. Even if they did, we have no covenants 'out in the sticks' so as long as the county is OK with it, I could give a sh*t less what the neighbors think.
He does remodeling, so it automatically makes him and expert. But all in all, the neighbors are great, and I help most out in one way or another, so they really can't complain as to what we do. Plus the fact that most of what we do is aesthetically pleasing to look at, and not some gaudy slapped together addition or building.
