[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by Beeker2211

Are you sure it was done without a permit? I would go through the property records at City Hall to see what assessed plans they have on file, if the addition shows up after the assessment after the renovation you might be OK and they just lost the Certificate of Occupancy. I'm not sure about Norwalk specifically on major additions but for many municipalities there is a grandfather clause in zoning that just requires an inspection and a new CO to be up to code for work that long done. I would check the records first and then call the city's zoning department to inquire about processes.

Good luck.

good point - I sold a house a little over 2 years ago and after the home inspection, the buyer requested an expensive renovation because the inspector felt the garage support beams were not up to code. I went down to the town hall and pulled the records - the previous owner had made renovations to make sure the garage was up to code only about 3 years previously (or about 5 years ago) and the town had all the permits on file. Problem defused. But, when looking at the garage, I might have agreed with the inspector that the support beams looked a little underwhelming.

Not completely analogous, but both were a situation where a permit was thought not to exist.

[Stepfordct]

How much sq ft was added? Building codes have changed some since 83. Looking up records that far back in a lot of towns can be daunting. Might just leave well enough alone and deal with it if it becomes an issue.

[Teacher Terry]

CTartist, I know the house is for sale. We have looked at similar homes and they tell you what isn’t permitted and they don’t count it in the square footage when selling which means that the house sells for less.

[Cambium]

If the home wasnt filed and you finally go to get it done, then you just increased the value of the home by adding the missing square feet onto the listing.. might want to tell your realtor so proper comps are pulled. Not sure how big this addition is though

Problem is the whole can of worms thing. Hopefully its just the permit fee and inspection goes well.

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

CTartist, I know the house is for sale. We have looked at similar homes and they tell you what isn’t permitted and they don’t count it in the square footage when selling which means that the house sells for less.

The discussion isn't about the price, what square footage the house has or what the final selling price will be.

It is about if the addition is legal by town standards and permitted.

I put up that link so they could see what the town hall has in Norwalk for the house in question. They don't even have to go to the town hall if they see the addition on the field card. If the addition was properly permitted the town shows it (and the square footage) on field card.

[Marc Wallace]

Call the Norwalk Building Dept...wait until afternoon. Speak with Lori Lyons (203) 854-7756. Very nice woman, she'll give you the straight story. And no, she doesn't bite! Best of luck.

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by Cambium

If the home wasnt filed and you finally go to get it done, then you just increased the value of the home by adding the missing square feet onto the listing.. might want to tell your realtor so proper comps are pulled. Not sure how big this addition is though

Problem is the whole can of worms thing. Hopefully its just the permit fee and inspection goes well.

Hopefully they just open a can of worms and not Pandora's Box.

Will the town then go after them for 36 years worth of back taxes owed on all that missing square footage?

[El Scorcho]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

Hopefully they just open a can of worms and not Pandora's Box.

Will the town then go after them for 36 years worth of back taxes owed on all that missing square footage?

When we bought our house, it turned out the bonus room was not permitted (plumbing, heating, A/C, wood stove).

We had the town building inspector over and he gave us an OC with no issues at all. We did not have to pay any back taxes and I don't think the seller did either, otherwise we would have heard about it. That was 7 years ago.