installation of extended driveway without permit

[GON]

Next door neighbor installation of extended driveway without permit or any architecture assessment

Feeling a bit like @Cujet this morning.

The next door neighbor mentioned to me in passing he is extending his driveway to park his MIL fifth wheel trailer. Not thrilled, but such as life.

First flag was the person who was doing the work had very basic tools, not the tools expected for a major concrete job. Tools like installing a concrete pad for a air conditioner.

This morning I saw that no plans were made for changes in grades between the property. A retaining wall is needed to prevent washout of my property which is higher in elevation.

I texted the neighbor, no response. I checked the city ordinance, two things came up. Neighbor is required to get the city to sign off on the job, and further a state permit is required and final approval authority.

Supplemental, neighbor told me later he was not just storing the fifth wheel, but was going to have his MIL live in the fifth wheel. City allows parking of rvs, does not allow living in rvs in residential zones property.

Not thrilled with this, but risk to financial loss and ability to sell is at risk, and best to get on this now before the concrete is poured.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

You tried to be a good neighbor, with no response it's time to move it up the chain. Having a neighbor mad at you is better than an eyesore and potential property damage.

 

[KrisZ]

All the guy has to do is apply and pay for the permits, they will likely get approved if the city already permits such a thing.
I'm sure OP knew about the risks when he bought this property, otherwise he should've bought something in an HOA community.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

All the guy has to do is apply and pay for the permits, they will likely get approved if the city already permits such a thing.
I'm sure OP knew about the risks when he bought this property, otherwise he should've bought something in an HOA community.

The city would take into account the grade and drainage changes. All the guy has to do is make the changes correctly. If it was just a driveway, I would skip the government BS too. He is not doing it correctly and affecting another property owner. That's the issue

 

[GON]

All the guy has to do is apply and pay for the permits, they will likely get approved if the city already permits such a thing.
I'm sure OP knew about the risks when he bought this property, otherwise he should've bought something in an HOA community.

The city has to approve the plan, and then the state has to permit the construction.

Yes, good example of why people buy in HOA. If the neighbor was doing that work to standard, I wouldn't be so alarmed. But when the project is likely going to cause unnecessary property damage to my property, time to act before concrete is poured.

 

[KrisZ]

The city would take into account the grade and drainage changes. All the guy has to do is make the changes correctly. If it was just a driveway, I would skip the government BS too. He is not doing it correctly and affecting another property owner. That's the issue

Sure, but OP will still have an eye sore, that was my point. It will be a properly drained eye sore, but an eye sore non the less.

 

[GON]

Sure, but OP will still have an eye sore, that was my point. It will be a properly drained eye sore, but an eye sore non the less.

Maybe the cost of doing the job properly (maybe $40k usd), instead of $5k USD, and thinking he will be discovered that he can't have a mil live in a RV in violation of city ordinance, will have him take a second look at completing/ not completing the project

 

[KrisZ]

Maybe the cost of doing the job properly (maybe $40k usd), I stead if $5k USD, and thinking he will be discovered that he can't have a mil live in a RV in violation of city ordinance, will have him take a second look at completing/ not completing the project

That may be true. The added cost of doing the job correctly may discourage him from doing it, but it also may just delay the inevitable.
As far as someone living in there, well the intent would be super hard to prove. You would probably need someone living in there for a prolonged period of time to make a complaint.

 

[AZjeff]

Tough spot.

All the guy has to do is apply and pay for the permits, they will likely get approved if the city already permits such a thing.
I'm sure OP knew about the risks when he bought this property, otherwise he should've bought something in an HOA community.

Incorrect. HOAs don't deal with governmental code issues, permits, etc they deal with rules specific to the subdivision. Some rules may overlap but the governmental ordinances take precedence. Go to the HOA with something like this and you get referred to the city or county office.

@GON, tough spot. You have to protect your property and interests but you're going to be the bad guy. You're situation seems to have changed recently, you're posting about hands-on homeowner things lately. Hopefully you'll be around to keep an eye on things if neighbor gets nasty. Better to get ahead of it before something unacceptable gets built.

 

[KrisZ]

Tough spot.


Incorrect. HOAs don't deal with governmental code issues, permits, etc they deal with rules specific to the subdivision. Some rules may overlap but the governmental ordinances take precedence. Go to the HOA with something like this and you get referred to the city or county office.

That's incorrect because an HOA, and most probably already do this, can forbid parking RVs, boats or other large recreation equipment in the driveway. That would override a city ordinance. What HOAs cannot override is federal/state/local safety laws or constitutional rights.

 

[GON]

Tough spot.


Incorrect. HOAs don't deal with governmental code issues, permits, etc they deal with rules specific to the subdivision. Some rules may overlap but the governmental ordinances take precedence. Go to the HOA with something like this and you get referred to the city or county office.

@GON, tough spot. You have to protect your property and interests but you're going to be the bad guy. You're situation seems to have changed recently, you're posting about hands-on homeowner things lately. Hopefully you'll be around to keep an eye on things if neighbor gets nasty. Better to get ahead of it before something unacceptable gets built.

@AZjeff , actually feel relieved. Seeing what was going on, the work was not to minimum standards. Best to get it out in the open now, then after the fact. I will be in Alaska and Washington State next week, so that is a significant concern.

 

[AZjeff]

That's incorrect because an HOA, and most probably already do this, can forbid parking RVs, boats or other large recreation equipment in the driveway. That would override a city ordinance. What HOAs cannot override is federal/state/local safety laws or constitutional rights.

Stand corrected. I was thinking of the construction permits. MIL living in allowed RV is likely lower concern than unpermitted potentially damaging construction.

 

[Pablo]

So you are in city limits?

Lot of times this kind of work doesn't require a permit

That said even most counties don't allow LIVING in an RV in such cases. Before we moved in (thank goodness) one of our neighbors was doing exactly this. Another neighbor ratted him out and sheriff popped the dude. Place has one renter now. In the house.

 

[GON]

So you are in city limits?

Lot of times this kind of work doesn't require a permit

That said even most counties don't allow LIVING in an RV in such cases. Before we moved in (thank goodness) one of our neighbors was doing exactly this. Another neighbor ratted him out and sheriff popped the dude. Place has one renter now. In the house.

Yes, within th city limited. City states it is a state approval for the permit and inspection, only after the city signs off.

I talked to the state and they stated the driveway is not something they get involved in, a city issue. I then spoke about the sewer, water, electric,, and no foundation for the RV parking pad, and the state led me to a website to initiate a investigation.

 

[Pablo]

Just saying a simple pad not going to need a permit. Utilities? For sure.

 

[14Accent]

100% be the "bad guy". What your neighbor is doing is illegal, unsafe, and detrimental to the entire neighborhood. Protect your own interests at all times. If he wants to do it the proper way, more power to him. However, the MIL being a permanent resident in a camper when it's specifically prohibited is a no-go.

 

[QwikKota]

I would definitely be concerned about the sewage on top of the eye sore.

 

[GON]

100% be the "bad guy". What your neighbor is doing is illegal, unsafe, and detrimental to the entire neighborhood. Protect your own interests at all times. If he wants to do it the proper way, more power to him. However, the MIL being a permanent resident in a camper when it's specifically prohibited is a no-go.

Wow, you consolidated the issue in a way I am not fluent in. Thanks for the input.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Not thrilled with this, but risk to financial loss and ability to sell is at risk, and best to get on this now before the concrete is poured.

I agree, I hate to be a rat but this is the only way out and letting the inspectors know Hard part will be him suspecting you did it. Might want to ask the ordinance-guy to have a cover story like, "I was driving by and saw some work". Hopefully he's cool with that.

 

[GON]

Neighbor just responded, and did so civil.

His response was he has a friend who built a drive way a year ago, and he was going to call him to see how he did it.

Not the right answer.

Right answer is to call the city building department, and state building department (state is the actual approval authority).

Only wish I wasn't out of state next week.