Architectural Designs

What can I expect if I build a house without a building permit and/or not to code?

I intend to buy a 50+/- acre parcel of land in rural Texas (montgomery county) and build a house on in by myself. I know that building codes are designed to keep people safe, and I intend to roughly follow the guidelines for family's safety. I however feel that if I am free to live in a cardboard box that is not built to code, I should be able to live in a home that is not built to code. I also feel that as an American I should be free to build my own house the way that I want to. Granted this is a rural area and the guidelines shouldn't be too strict, I still do not feel compelled to go to the government office and ask permission to build a house on my own property. I also do not feel like being told how I can & can't build my own house. I know that I won't be able to insure my house, & I know it won't be worth anything if I decide to sell it, so what I'm wanting to know is if criminal charges can be filed against me if I do not obtain a building permit & if I refuse to build to code. I would also like to know if my land tax will be less if my house is not built to code, therefore not considered a "house".

Public Comments

1. They can't come on your property without a warrant. But if someone acuses you of something they can get a warrant. Also they take airial pictures for assessment purposes now. You need a lawyer for this one. One that will take your case will be expensive. GOOD LUCK.
2. here in Tn we can build any thing we damn please, with out asking or kissing any ones a** I built mine and its safe, build a pole barn and make a house out of it, most city's & county's don,t have any jurisdiction on agriculture buildings
3. I would check with your local county office. I believe Texas implemented a law that any structures or improvements to a rural home over $20,000, is required to be constructed to code. Building codes are for safety. Is cutting costs to save money worth your family's safety?
4. i know someone that did that same thing and nothing happened to them if your neighbors don't get to nosy and you are in the middle of nowhere than go for it
5. If a permit is required by law, you can expect to TEAR DOWN the house at your expense. PROPERTY taxes are based on the VALUE of the property. I'm not in favor of the government imposing restrictions on use of your own land either, but that is the law as it currently exists.
6. If a guy from the government sees a house being built (as they drive around their areas) he'll know you don't have a permit and come in and shut down construction. If you do happen to get it built you'll never be able to sell it and when they do catch on they can have the place torn down. You'd be taking a huge gamble not getting permits but either way, good luck .
7. I suspect you'd be liable if a family member, house guest, or firefighter was injured or killed in a fire attributable to code non-compliance. Electrical code non-compliance can lead to injury or death of a lineman, too. You'd be liable.
8. You can expect a whole lot of headaches! I wouldn't do it, even though I understand exactly where you are coming from.
9. they can rip down your house at your expense that is what can happen. it doesn't matter a minimum standards must be met. do you know big to make a footing, do you know how to calculate loads and soil capacity? a cardboard box wont sink on the ground.... a card board box wont burn down from faulty wiring. etc. seriously you can't pick and choose what to follow on the ground and trust me building inspectors do have jurisdiction to have your house ripped down.. building permits are posted on the out side of the building, trust me they don't have to be invited in to the building to know there are no permits. that is if they find out or if some one tips them off...
10. It will be a problem you don't want to have. They will make you tear it down. Don't worry about the electrical problems, the electric company will not connect to your house unless the county building inspector has signed off on the panel.
11. bottom line its not worth the few thousand you'll save by not getting the proper permits
12. Do what you want. On fifty acres, you should be able to build it far from the road so it's not in plain site. Now, I'm not in love with having to ask to do what you want, but if you are hiring work done on it, make it up to code for your area. Residential codes are too lax to begin with. Over build it, make it better than their silly codes. For instance, do not put more than six outlets on any one breaker run, though in most places there is no limit in a residence. I like four to a run myself. If I know a particular outlet will see heavy use, I'll put it on it's own breaker. Same goes with piping, use copper, the good stuff, a quarter inch larger than called for then neck it down where it goes to fixtures, this will give you much better flow. Be sure to put in those devices that allow someone else in the house to use the water when you're in the shower, keeping it the same temperature, though the flow might be reduced. Do it right, don't skimp, then you shouldn't have many problems. First off, they have to prove it isn't up to code. Not getting a building permit can be considered a tax matter, not a building matter, since that's really all it is, a tax. Simple way to beat at lot of the problems is like somebody else already said, make it look like a barn then finish it out as a house. I like a barn style, gambrel roofed house anyway.
13. Just go and get the permit. Here in Bandera county Texas it is only $ 25.00. Why take the chance ?. It would keep the tax man off your a**. I'm sure it won't be much different in montgomery county. The have been known to use helicopters to catch people doing just what you want do. I would not take the chance for that small price.The best of luck to you !.