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Okaloosa County Property Appraisers
If you’re buying a pre-occupied home and you suspect that the previous residents have constructed an addition to the home, it is essential ensure that proper building permits are on file at the city prior to purchasing the property.
An unpermitted home addition, if not corrected before you buy the property, could cost you hundreds of dollars or more, as you must correct the missing permits with the city or county.
In some cases, the local government agency may refuse to issue a permit even if you’re willing to pay the permit fee. This situation may occur if an existing garage was converted to living space by the previous owner, no covered parking is provided for vehicles, and the zoning code requires covered parking. A permit may be denied until a replacement garage or carport is constructed—entailing additional costs from your pocket. In a worse case, the city may require additional work to upgrade a substandard addition to building code standard. Thus, a lack of proper permits may hit a new buyer’s bank account at least twice: the required fee to correct the paperwork deficiency, and the cost to construct any required structure or to cure any substandard work.