Building permit
| It's not just a good idea |
| Random enforcement |
Building permits are certification that a new building, renovation, or addition meets local codes for safety.
It also seems to be a big bugaboo for some cranks (mostly fanatically libertarian) to rant against because it seems to them like more taxes, government getting into their business to tell them what to do, and bankrupting "the little guy," they can do what they want on their property, etc...
Someone must pay for the administrative costs and inspectors, which makes sense to have the people who use the service pay for it. It is also a case of the government telling people what to do, which can be a good thing when you have groups of people who think they can do miracles with a new hammer and some nails. Apparently it is okay if their neighbors build improperly secured roofs that can fly off and hit their house during a wind storm, or catch fire from badly placed venting, or even crush future owners or guests when the badly done addition of the owner falls on them.
[edit] Dinosaur Adventure Land
Before going to jail under multiple counts of tax fraud and evasion, creationist Kent Hovind first ran afoul of the local authorities by refusing to get permits for his creation themed park Dinosaur Adventure Land, which he built in his back yard.
Hovind was charged on September 13, 2002, for failure to observe county zoning regulations with respect to Dinosaur Adventure Land.[1] The Circuit court ruled the Hovinds in contempt of court, and the park's buildings were locked up.
Eventually Hovind pled nolo contendere (no contest) to various charges and was ordered to pay fines.[2] In June 2006, Hovind estimates he spent $40,000 in legal expenses on this case—all to evade a $50 permit fee.
Hovind's was a prominent example of several movements in extreme evangelical circles that attempt to deny the states right to exert any authority on holdings of the church or church members. Building permits are a popular focus for groups to fight against.
[edit] See also
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ Martinez, Greg. A Journey to Hovind's Dinosaur Adventure Land. Skeptical Inquirer. November 2004.
- ↑ Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court Courtviewer Records Search of Kent Hovind