To Permit or not to Permit

[Trevor Baker]

When doing a home renovation in L.A. County, when is it required to get permits?  We need to have some plumbing & electrical work done, and install new windows.  Does it depend on the scope of the work?  ...a percentage of the work?  Are permits optional at some point?  If permits are "suggested", what's the risk if we don't get them?  Our concern is the cost and time delays.  

[Karen Margrave]

This is California, you need a permit to get out of bed in the morning. In answer to your question, you need to call the building department, then decide if the work is worth the effort. If a permit is required, don't try to get around it, because if you get caught they'll make you tear it out, and you'll be out time and money. If you do it without permits and a permit was required when you sell, you have to disclose work was done without permits. Be safe.