Building permit self-certification program

[Cass]

The disastrous fires in California have decimated our housing stock. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes months to receive the proper building permit in order to rebuild. That timeline is bound to lag behind even more, since so many new applications are pouring in. In order to address this issue, the city council in Los Angeles voted to consider a self-certification program, which would allow industry professionals to certify their own plans and begin construction immediately. The city will still inspect the structure during the building process and after it's completed. It sounds great, right? Well, naturally, there are risks involved. For instance, the owner must make corrections if the building isn't up to code, which can become costly.

What do you think about their idea? If you were going to be the homeowner, would you accept the risks?

 

[Fenix]

I don't believe I'd want to do that, unless the builder guaranteed that the designs and the work met the city's standards. I know they still inspect the work, so imagine how problematic it would be to get to the end, only to learn that the wrong materials were used or something was off by an inch, and the whole structure needed redone. I bet they have earthquake and fire codes to meet as well, so it's not so simple.

 

[alishna]

The self-certification program sounds like a great way to speed up rebuilding, especially given the urgent housing crisis after the fires. However, the risks are real and if a structure isn’t up to code, the homeowner could face expensive corrections down the line. It depends on the level of accountability built into the program. If strict inspections still happen during and after construction, it could strike a good balance between speed and safety. I would love to hear others' thoughts!

 

[Kimberly L]

When wildfires swept thru Southern Oregon in 2023, numerous local jurisdictions volunteered and assisted with inspections and plan review which greatly reduced the overall time frame. There are also third-party plan review and inspection companies that they should be able to hire to assist. I would not want the liability of rebuilding without approved plans. Even if you rebuild in the same location and/or like for like, what if the structure no longer meets current setbacks, exceeds lot coverage, current height restrictions and the list goes on.

 

[Overtime]

I would not want the liability of rebuilding without approved plans.

I think this is where I stand, too. I'd take the gamble if the developer, builder, or other professional remained liable for the outcome, but no way would I risk it when liability rests on the homeowner's shoulders. Just imagine how much it would cost to start all over because of a tiny error. It's not worth it. I wonder if it's a popular option in cities that have faced catastrophes, or if they're cautious as well.