Fined For Building A 6x14 Deck $1000 Per Day, What Do I Do?

dabs27

I applyed for a deck on my office in NJ, the denied me saying i needed a sight plan, I waited a few months put on a small porch/deck and just got a fine in the mail and telling me i have to take it down, i built it to be removed from the building any advice? should i get a lawyer? should i pull it from the building and call it teporary? HELP

buildenterprise

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send_it_all

You might be able to permit it after the fact. Have someone do a site plan if you can't do it yourself. It doesn't have to be an intricate architecht-drawn deal. Take some measurements and use a pencile and ruler on a piece of paper. use the measurements to make it as close to scale as possible. Add as many details as you can about the site and the deck such as lumber sizes and fastening schedule.

dabs27

i did draw on at first and found out the wanted the whole process with the $1500+- retainer for the township engineer to review it. I told them I was not changing the foot print of the building and was replacing what was there but they still wanted it. i just didnt have the coin for all that. Im pritty sure they took more then 20 days to get back to me denying my first permit, i think theres a state law regarding that. bottom line is i do a lot of work in the area and dont wanna ruffal any feathers. what do ya think?

AtlanticWBConst

Guess you made a decision, that DID ruffle some feathers.

Good luck sorting that mess out...

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BuiltByMAC

Pay it yesterday, that's the cheapest way right now!

Are you freakin' kidding me? You post that...here?

Tom R

Not sure where you're at in Jersey, - - but most of the time they're not going to hold you to that $1,000/day (well, at least for residential, that is) - - that's just to make sure they get your attention real fast.

Go down and talk to them right away, - - and see where you've got to go from here.

mmike032

i would take it down and save a few bucks... DUHHHHHHH

Cole

I couldnt read a word that he said.

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RobertCDF

Well first of all you broke the rules. So you should have to pay. Its the same reason people get traffic fines and such. The rules are the rules and the fact that you KNEW the rules already makes you an idiot for doing it anyway.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

JonM

I suspect your notice said you could be fined 200-1000 dollars for your violation. If your state is like mine, the building or zoning department can not levy a fine, they have to take you to court and only a judge can issue a fine. I suggest you go down to the tax accessors office, and pull the tax records...they should have a topographical map of your street showing boundaries. Also your zoning and building department (if a commercial building) by law needs to keep all prints and plot plans for the entire existence of the building. They may tell you they had an annual flood in the basement and they were destroyed, but it is worth a shot. Good luck...

Double-A

I do not understand. Are you in the construction business?

This forum is for folks in the construction trades only.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

TimNJ

I believe your post says the deck is outside of your office?
Forget about sketching some little drawing. You need sealed plans. You are only allowed to do the sketch/drawing yourself in NJ if it is for your personal residence that you own. Unless you live in your office you need professional drawings.

concretemasonry

The fact that this a deck off an office and not a residence probably puts it in a different category.

Commercial work must meet all requirements, but often things are not a strict for the homeowner that is not ecpected to know as much as someone running a business. - The fact you went ahead after being denied was just a challenge to their authority, which is well documented.

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

AtlanticWBConst

I wouldn't be surprised if the OP ends up having to just rip the thing down.

It's happened to other lucky lottery winners who try and fight city hall....

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