Show All Answers

1. What types of things can I, the property owner, do?

You may perform all building repair and maintenance, including those requiring physical installations, modifications, or alterations of electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, or structural elements of the property, as long as the property is not for immediate resale.  You are still required to pull a building permit and get inspections.

2. Can I hire unlicensed help?

You may only hire unlicensed help to perform landscaping and yard maintenance, install or maintain fences, do concrete flatwork, paint, carpet, tiling, trim, hanging doors, etc.  Please contact the Community Development Department to discuss your project prior to starting or spending any money.

3. Can I get a friend to help me?

You can use volunteer labor to perform landscaping and yard maintenance, install or maintain fences, do concrete flatwork, paint, carpet, tiling, trim, hanging doors, etc.  Please contact the Community Development Department to discuss your project prior to starting or spending any money. 

4. When must I, the property owner, hire a licensed contractor?

Most work requires a licensed contractor unless you are doing 100% of the work yourself. If you require or desire help with any work it must be provided by a licensed contractor, whether for pay or not.

5. Do I, the property owner, have to be on the premises while the work is being done?

If the work relates to landscaping and yard maintenance, installing or maintaining fences, doing concrete flatwork, painting, carpeting, tiling, trim, hanging doors, etc, you do not have to be on the premises.

If the work is building repair and maintenance, including those requiring physical installations, modifications, or alterations of electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, or structural elements of the property, you must be on the premises and doing all the work personally, unless you hire a licensed contractor.

6. Can I, as the property owner, build a new structure?

You may build a residence (as long as it will be your primary residence) and accessory structures. Any subcontractors (framers, electricians, plumbers, roofers, heating / cooling contractors, etc.) involved with the construction must be licensed.

7. Do I need a building permit?

Yes.  Many permits will require that plans be submitted before the permit is issued. Check with the Community Development Department for details. Failure to obtain a permit may result in a Stop Work Order and possible citation.

8. Will I be required to call for inspections?

Yes.  Periodic inspections by the building official are necessary for health and safety considerations. Failure to call for timely inspections may result in a Stop Work Order and possible citation. Check with the Community Development Department for details.

9. Is there any reason I, as the property owner, should not perform my own building repairs and maintenance?

Owners and landlords performing their own work are subject to all municipal and state codes. Inadequate or faulty constructions methods can result in significant safety risks to the building occupants with resulting liability concerns. Whether you do work yourself or hire a licensed contractor, safety should be your first concern.