What should I do if my contractor did not obtain a permit?

Ultimately, it is the home owner’s or property owner’s responsibility to obtain permits for any work requiring permits. If a contractor does work for you but does not obtain a permit before starting, that is a contract dispute between you and them. The City will not get involved in contract disputes between a home owner and a contractor. The best way to ensure that a permit has been obtained is to ask the contractor to show you the permit or give you the permit number prior to allowing them to start any work on your house. As a home owner or property owner, you are also responsible for any work done by previous owners or contractors without permits. Be sure to check our property file records at City Hall before purchasing any property to know what you are buying. Do not rely on real estate listings, assessment records or other online reporting tools. Only the permit records at City Hall in the Department of Code Enforcement office has the full list of permits that have been issued for a property.

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1. What should I do if my contractor did not obtain a permit?
2. Can I do construction work myself or must I hire a licensed contractor?
3. If I do not need a permit, may I construct my project however I want?
4. Do I need a permit to construct a basement rec-room?
5. Do I need a permit to construct a fence and are there any requirements?
6. Do I need a permit to re-roof my home?
7. Do I need a permit to re-side my home?
8. Do I need a permit to construct a storage shed?
9. Do I need a permit to replace my water heater?
10. Do I need a permit to replace my windows?
11. I want to remodel my kitchen. What permits will I need?
12. I want to replace the light fixtures on the outside of my home. Do I need an electrical permit?
13. My neighbor's yard is a mess. Can the City force them to clean it up?
14. Who is responsible for cleaning snow and ice from fire hydrants?
15. Who is responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks?