Not getting a permit can create some serious problems for a property owner:
- Upon notification of the violation, a "Notice of Violation" is sent to the property owner.
- If everything with the project meets requirements, a double fee is charged for an after-the-fact permit.
- If there are problems, a minimal amount of time will be granted for the violation to be corrected. This may include removing what has just been built.
- If cooperation is not forthcoming, a Municipal Citation will be issued which starts the legal procedure in gaining compliance.
- If an owner pleads "guilty" or "no contest", the decision is in favor of the County and a forfeiture is paid by the property owner.
- After paying the fine, the owner still has to bring the property into compliance. It’s not a matter of "just paying the fine" and keeping what you have built or done.
- If an owner pleads, "not guilty", the case is assigned to a judge and a date for the court trial is set. If a jury trial is requested, the owner has to pay a cost for the jury.
- In a trial, if found guilty, a substantial fine is usually imposed. The fine can be assessed for a certain dollar amount for every day the violation has existed or continues to exist.
- Ultimately, if there is no cooperation, an owner could find himself in jail, and fines will be put on the property taxes as a special assessment. And the property will still have to be brought into compliance.
It’s just not worth it.