Building without permits is problem

Problem builders are often laid off from their regular job.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County's chief building official says he's seen an alarming increase in the number of building projects being done in the county without building permits.
David Zofko believes it may be time to increase fines to deal with the problem.
"It's getting out of hand right now," Zofko said. "It's not fair to the guy who's coming here, getting the permit and bidding against the guy who doesn't come in and get a permit."
Zofko said he believes the majority of builders responsible for the problem are people who are laid off from their jobs or otherwise underemployed and trying to make money through construction of decks, barns and the like.
He said most reputable contractors are members of the Home Builders/Remodelers Association of Mahoning Valley and take out permits -- in part because they are better educated on what the requirements are.
Zofko said one woman from Lordstown called him recently complaining that her roof has a serious leak caused, she believes, by work done three years ago by a contractor who did not take out a permit.
Reason for permits
Zofko said the permitting process is protection for both the contractor and the consumer because at the end of the construction, an inspector looks at the work, and problems can be detected if they exist.
The only leverage the Trumbull County Building Inspection Department now has over contractors who fail to take out permits is to charge them double the permit fee -- if the illegal job is detected. Zofko said he would like to see sanctions increase to deal with the problem and has talked with county commissioners about it.
The woman also wondered why the contractor didn't have to have a license to carry out the remodeling at her house. Zofko explained that the Ohio Legislature has considered requiring licenses for general contractors for several years but has backed away from the idea.
Nonetheless, Zofko said within three to five years he expects licensing to become law. Nearly half of the states already have such licensing.
Codes in effect
Meanwhile, Ohio's statewide residential building codes went into effect last week. One of the changes coming about because of them is that occupancy permits will be required on residential construction projects, Zofko said.
He added that many banks also are requiring occupancy permits before they will release loan money for such projects. Occupancy permits allow the owner to take occupancy after the construction is inspected.
In the past, permits were required for occupancy of commercial buildings only.
Zofko said it will become increasingly important for the county to follow such rules because the Ohio Board of Building Standards will be looking over the building department's shoulder to see that such procedures are followed.
Terry Abrams, executive officer of the Home Builders/Remodelers Association of Mahoning Valley, said his organization requires someone to be in business at least two years and carry liability insurance before they are allowed to join the organization. Members can be expelled from the organization for violating standards such as taking out building permits.
runyan@vindy.com