What happens when an inspector finds work without a permit?
Short answer. Expect a stop-work order, double permit fees as a penalty, possible fines, and a possible report to the MHIC. Permit the work immediately; all existing work must be inspected, and some may have to be opened up.
Work it through
You're the contractor. Pick what you'd do, then see how each choice plays out.
Inspector Williams
County building inspector
A county inspector was in the neighborhood checking on another project and noticed construction activity at Sarah's house. He knocks on the door and asks to see the permit.
There is no permit. He writes up a stop-work order on the spot.
- Damage control
You'll pay double permit fees as a penalty, face potential fines, and the MHIC may be notified. But cooperating with the stop-work order and immediately permitting the work is better than the alternative. All existing work must be inspected, and some may need to be opened up for inspection access.
- Worse
Structural modifications and plumbing changes are never exempt. As an MHIC-licensed contractor, claiming ignorance of basic permit requirements makes you look either incompetent or dishonest. The inspector has heard this excuse a thousand times. This will likely be reported to the MHIC.
All 26 permits, inspections & building codes questions
- Who is responsible for permits on a Maryland home improvement job?
- Can you skip permits if the homeowner asks you to?
- How do you build permit costs into a contract?
- Which home projects need a permit in Maryland?
- Do cosmetic bathroom refreshes in rentals need permits?
- What happens when an inspector finds work without a permit?
- What is your liability when unpermitted work fails?
- How should you handle a problem the inspector finds?
- Why do building inspections happen in stages?
- How do you get a building permit approved faster?
- Where is fire blocking required under IRC R302.11?
- When does a basement bedroom need an egress window?
- Where are smoke alarms required after a renovation?
- Can a homeowner refuse GFCI outlets in the kitchen?
- When does a deck stairway need a handrail?
- Does a bathroom need an exhaust fan under the IRC?
- How must a deck ledger be attached to the house?
- How is energy code compliance checked on an addition?
- Does the ADA apply to a single-family bathroom remodel?
- When does a retaining wall need an engineered design?
- What is required before removing a load-bearing wall?
- Can you build a deck over a utility easement?
- When does a patio trigger stormwater management in Maryland?
- Does a building permit override HOA approval?
- How do you take over a job another contractor abandoned?
- How do you assess a homeowner's failed DIY renovation?