Permits, pools, patios, property taxes (Montgomery: loan, how much, house)

[MissDaisy]

In Montgomery County, if you have a pool and patio installed, do you need a permit? How much does the permit cost, and what is the time frame to get the permit prior to the start of the construction? How does the county calculate property taxes on the improvements? And lastly, when they calculate the property taxes, does the 20% homeowner exemption apply?? Thanks!!

[ziembak]

usually the pool company that is installing the pool will take care of all the permits required. The thing that takes the longest is getting the approval from the home owners association and our pool builder also did that for us. Hope this helps.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by MissDaisy

...when they calculate the property taxes, does the 20% homeowner exemption apply?? Thanks!!

I don't think it's always 20%, but it's a good estimate. From what I've seen, if the appraised value is outside of a certain range it can be less than that.

[rmilleta]

I bought my house last November and the assesment was the sold value. No exemption or discount.

[chago]

i;m building a carport, do i need a city permit, thanks

[westres1]

Originally Posted by rmilleta

I bought my house last November and the assesment was the sold value. No exemption or discount.

You have to file the homestead exemption. Go to your appraisal districts website and downloand the form today!

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by chago

i;m building a carport, do i need a city permit, thanks

Within C.O.H. proper (whatever that means) you will generally need a permit for any exterior structure taller than 36" and you can't permit anything that violates deed restrictions (if that applies). You can always waive the permit, but it will suck if you get caught doing a non-permitted improvement. No one will catch you, you say? Inspectors report that a neighbor usually drops a dime on ninja remodelers.

Speaking very generally, if you are replacing something (broken window, broken door frame, broken light switch, broken pipe) you shouldn't need a permit. If you are changing the floor covering you don't need a permit. If you are painting you don't need a permit.

If you are doing anything that changes your wiring, plumbing or HVAC, anything that exposes framing or changes the floorplan you will be expected to permit the work. You can not pull your own electrical, plumbing or HVAC permits; a licensed tradesman needs to do that. You can pull your own structural permits (like for a carport) but will be required to submit a detailed plan with some sort of plan drawings (I have successfully used Google Sketchup) and will be expected to closely follow those plans. Permit fee is usually $45.