After 24 years, the city decides to give us notice of violation. They say our property is out of compliance.?

Question

The property has two units and also its two seperate addresses. Now the city says that the back unit doesnt have a permit and that it has to be knock down and rebuild with permits. The front unit has a patio that also has to be knock down. The front unit was build in 1958 and the back unit in 1947 not by us but we purchased it this way. All this has me so confuse because now they need to apply for a certificate of compliance (cost is $1500.00) I have no idea what that is. And submitt a plot plan review ($900.00) what is that? And does anyone know what is the difference between blueprints and a plot plan design? And are blueprints always needed to build or can u use a plot plan design. Please if anyone knows about these things, guide me. Thank you so much!

By the way my house and the property are well maintain not like some neighbors houses that are falling apart but the city inspectors didnt see that. I mean there are houses here that have blue tarps w/bricks on the roof.Nasty homes!!

Answer 1

I had this problem and fought them and won..it is called a "grandfather clause"..simply search on the net "grandfather clause laws for Your town and city"...This link lays it out for you in detail

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-grandf...

Answer 2

You didn't tell us where the property is (country? state? city?) but before you go tearing down anything or paying huge sums to the City, consult an attorney FIRST.

The reason being is that while you technically may be not in compliance, given the age of the structures it's quite possible your property may fall into a non-conforming use... IOW, the property may carry grandfather rights the current city folks may be unaware of because, for instance, they're only looking back 10-20 years in the title search/permit files.

Hope this helps,

    TX Griff

Answer 3

Same thing here as pcbeachr

Answer 4

And, most municipalities have a Zoning Board of Appeals.  It's also possible for your to appeal this decision.