In article et,
Mike Marlow wrote:
Robert Bonomi wrote:

If things are not consistent with the original permit, and there were
no other subsequent permits issued -- and yes, the city _does_ keep
all that stuff on file, _in_perpetuity_, including the plans that had
to be filed with the permit -- then the 'current owner' *does* have a
problem. EVEN IF the work was done in a 'code compliant manner'.


I don't know about where you live, but where I live add on work, whether
done by the homeowner or by licensed individuals does not require any
additional paperwork or permits as long it does not exceed a certain size or
scope. So, the records in city hall will not reflect a wide spectrum of
work over a period of years.

Some kinds of work require a permit, some don't. running electrical wiring
almost invariably does, while replacing an outlet or fixture almost always
does -not-.

If work is 'discovered' as having been done *without* a permit, and is of
a type _that_requires_a_permit_, the current owner of the property *does*
have a problem on his hands.