DanG wrote in message
...
A friend who shall remain nameless called. He
lives in the county in a different state. He
launched into a small addition with no permit. He has it
framed and dried in. He received a
letter from the county ordering him to cease
and desist. He called wondering what they can
do to him if he just keeps going. [..]

There are a couple things they _will_ do if he ignores the
notice and continues building, none of them very pleasant; the
worst involves fines and jail-time. They [the country
inspectors' office] could also make him tear it down. This
happened to a neighbor of mine that built an enclosed patio
"extension" when he went to sell his home. All that effort and
money because he also had a
"Permits!-we-don't-need-no-stinking-permits!" attitude.

The cost of a permit is nothing compared to the aggravation
(and increasing frustrations) he's going to be feeling if he
continues to ignore the order.

As others have said, he should visit the county offices with a
humble attitude. A quick purchase of the permit, set up an
appointment to have it inspected, a minor walk-through to let
the inspector point out a few "areas of improvements," and your
friend will get to keep his new structure.

The Ranger