Unpermitted work getting p

[Dan H.]

San Diego flood victims are being provided permit amnesty so that previously unpermitted work can be rebuilt.

It is interesting that if your property has unpermitted work, the city is providing amnesty so that the property can be rebuilt as it was prior to the flood. This will result in a substantial benefit to those that had unpermitted work. They will now have permitted work without having paid permit fees for the work. It also seems to imply that certain rules like setback are waived if they were not in compliance prior to the flood. It also seems to imply that illegal units will get amnesty (note an ADU law providing fed a 5 year amnesty on unpermitted units, but this seems to be a perpetual amnesty).

Thoughts?

My view is there is risk in unpermitted work including getting caught and having to come compliant and/or not being able to rebuild if something happens.  A amnesty for unpermitted work can be a financial gold mine for some of these owners.