You may need a permit before proceeding

Everybody can use a little help sometimes. In the City of Camarillo, assistance is just a click away.

If you want to hire a contractor, the city’s website has a page for that. Need guidance for a furnace change out in the attic? There’s a page for that. And, if you want to know about permits for a bathroom remodel, electrical panel upgrade or new windows, you’ll find that, too.

All this information and more is found under the Neighborhood Resources tab at ci.camarillo.ca.us.

We were noodling around and found one section to be most interesting. It’s called “When Do I Need a Permit for Home Improvements?”

The information found there is especially telling given home improvement trends.

According to USA Today, the percentage of homeowners who spent $25,000 or more on home renovations was 51% in 2023, a steady increase since 2020. Kitchens, bathrooms, heating and cooling systems, and outdoor security were among the most common renovations in 2023.

As it turns out, many common home renovations require permits, including: •Replacing a furnace or air conditioner: check •Converting a tub to a shower or a shower to a tub: check •Replacing plumbing fixtures (toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, water softeners): check, check, check, check and check

Even replacing a water heater requires a permit.

Some projects also require zone- clearance approval, including arbors and patio covers and enclosures; ground and roof-mounted solar panels; and treehouses and playhouses. All of these have a fee attached.

Free zone-clearance approval is provided for a few things, including utility sheds 120 square feet or less and front yard synthetic/artificial grass.

Doing things right is the right thing to do, even if it seems like there are too many permits. Building or remodeling without one can result in a number of problems for the owner, from fines to work stoppages to the project being scaled back – if the project gets approved at all.

In extreme cases, whatever goes up could be forced down over lack of permit.

Most painful of all, work done without a permit can get in the way of a bank “completion” loan. And just try to refinance real estate that’s been tagged for unpermitted work.

The moral of this story is, don’t try to get away with certain remodeling projects without a permit. If you’re in Camarillo and are unsure whether a permit is required, the best place to start is online.