Modesto Real Estate – Luz Martinez

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Remember when you made that garage into a family room, without a building permit? Or maybe you converted an attic to your teenager’s bedroom, or closed in a patio for a game room, without the government watching.

You saved a few hundred bucks, but it’s nagged at your conscience because you’re otherwise a decent, hardworking taxpayer.

If it happened in an unincorporated area of Stanislaus County, a new amnesty program could help ease your conscience.

It still will cost you a few hundred bucks, but you’ll escape double-fee penalties, saving a bundle. And you might sleep better at night.

Or maybe you bought a house with an unapproved addition or major remodel. It’s not your fault, but the government doesn’t care when they find out.

Until now.

Having seen successful building permit amnesty programs elsewhere, county building officials took the idea Tuesday to the Board of Supervisors. On a split vote, supervisors agreed to give it a try from July 1 through year’s end, when they’ll evaluate how it worked and consider canceling the program or extending a version to commercial and industrial buildings.

A few rules apply, however.

The stealth improvements must have been done before 2008. They must meet minimum safety codes. And you’ll pay a $200 application fee, plus $105 for an inspection if you decide to pursue it.

Read more: http://www.modbee.com/2010/05/25/1182087/stanislaus-homeowners-offered.html#ixzz0p4HFi7AP