City codes and permits

[Tumbleweed]

Oh I get so irritated at the city government! I'm wanting to convert a window into a door and build a wheelchair ramp from that door that will lead straight to a patio. Trying to find the right number in the phone book to call is frustrating to begin with. I had tried a few weeks ago and finally just gave up! But I'm determined this time and I call the only number that says anything about building permits in the county I live in but of course I have the wrong number.

I finally get the guy who deals with wheelchair ramps. (I guess each person deals with one and one thing only, LOL) I ask him about codes - what kind of footing must I have? He says you can use whatever you want. O.K. So I guess if I burn some pancakes I can use those for footings. ROTFL

I ask, "Do I need a rail if it is a certain height off the ground and is there a code on how far apart the balusters or pickets(spindles) have to be (so little kids don't get their heads stuck) He doesn't know how far apart they have to be and "usually" if the ramp is 30" off the ground it must have a rail. So can I be the "unusual" one???

I ask how much is the permit going to cost. He can't say. He says it depends on how much I am going to spend building this ramp. I tell him my brother and I are going to build it so labor isn't going to cost anything. He says we have to assign a value to our work. I ask him, how do I determine that. He says, "Usually" at least minimum wage times the projected hours we will spend doing it. How the heck am I supposed to know how long it will take??? I say we can build it in exactly 10 minutes!!! Hee hee.

So I tell him my brother purchased a used ramp for $100 that will make most of the run to the patio. So I ask, "Do I have to go price everything I'll need before I buy it because I don't want to purchase material if you all decide you won't give me a permit to build the ramp?" He has no answer to this and just says, "Make a estimate."

I ask, Don't you have anything you can send me that will tell about the codes?" Answer, no. But he directs me to a charity organization that has all the answers to my questions. What? He is the guy doing wheelchair ramp permits. Why doesn't he have the answers. Grrrrrr

I then ask if I need a separate permit to convert a window into a door because that is where it makes the most sense to build the ramp. Oh my gosh. Now that is a whole different department. He tells me he'll transfer me to the department that handles that. And of course I get the wrong guy so they transfer me to the "real" correct number and guess what. I get a dead phone.

Now, I need to scream but I'm afraid I need a permit for that.

[barb]

Want me to go down to city hall with you. I know a way to get answers!

Just kidding. I have never had to deal with a permit but that does sound like a hassel.

Have you considered contacting an organization that helps the disabled or elderly? I bet either one of those would have someone who could advise you.

[Tumbleweed]

Actually the city sent me to an organization that does this kind of thing and that is where I got the specks for the ramp. They actually will build it for you since it is for an elderly person but there is a year waiting list. And I don't want to wait.

My brother brought the door frame up and we may actually install the door tomorrow, permit or not. I don't know....maybe that isn't such a good idea.

[barb]

The fines could be really heavy. It probably isn't a good idea.

Ask the people you got the specs from if there is someone there who can help you do the paperwork for the permits and advise you. They must have to get them so someone there must know how to go about it.

[Tumbleweed]

Yes. your right. I'll get the dumb permits. I think my brother and I can maybe go shopping and get all the extra lumber we need tomorrow. I don't think they'll say I can't put a ramp there. You can pretty much do what you want in your back yard in these older neighborhoods.