It is my understanding that the get most of their revenue (>95%) from fees charged to larger contractors and developers who all have access to a self serve portal (you just need a contractor license # which is not hard to get). As they build up a history with the city, they do not require as many inspections throughout the construction process (but they are on the hook to fix it if anything is found after the fact). The bare minimum for new construction would be the slab pour or pier/beam foundation setup, electrical, plumbing, framing, and final. For a reno, it’s just final.
For owner-builders there was a series of homeowners insurance claim denials in the 1990s and 2000s because unpermitted work was observed by the adjuster. This resulted in the former occupant simply abandoned the house, leaving a subpar structure, contributing to blight, and lower property values. The city building department made very easy and inexpensive for these people and to get a permit. For minor work, $30 out the door and for major work $87 (assuming you don’t get the discount). This fee includes two free inspections (pre and final) from professionals at the building department, usually same day.
I bought a fixer-upper in 2017, did a full rewire, repiped water supply lines, gas to electric range conversion, trenched 30ft to my detached garage (for 240V/125A power, data, and water), and installed a mini split system. They got to know me well and just instructed me to do a video walk through as they did not have any problems with my work prior. This was only possible because they care more about public safety than fines.
One theory I have is that policy dictates that they cannot issue a fine right away, they must leave a notice of some sort that they owner must respond to (usually by getting a permit, sometimes by arguing it’s not required) or will face a fine. They just cut out the junk in between by helping them the permit right there, which ends up being a good enough experience that most people just get the permit next time.
For owner-builders there was a series of homeowners insurance claim denials in the 1990s and 2000s because unpermitted work was observed by the adjuster. This resulted in the former occupant simply abandoned the house, leaving a subpar structure, contributing to blight, and lower property values. The city building department made very easy and inexpensive for these people and to get a permit. For minor work, $30 out the door and for major work $87 (assuming you don’t get the discount). This fee includes two free inspections (pre and final) from professionals at the building department, usually same day.
I bought a fixer-upper in 2017, did a full rewire, repiped water supply lines, gas to electric range conversion, trenched 30ft to my detached garage (for 240V/125A power, data, and water), and installed a mini split system. They got to know me well and just instructed me to do a video walk through as they did not have any problems with my work prior. This was only possible because they care more about public safety than fines.
One theory I have is that policy dictates that they cannot issue a fine right away, they must leave a notice of some sort that they owner must respond to (usually by getting a permit, sometimes by arguing it’s not required) or will face a fine. They just cut out the junk in between by helping them the permit right there, which ends up being a good enough experience that most people just get the permit next time.