Sumter county permit questions

[starflyte1]

Do I need a $300+ permit to replace same size sliding door?
If yes, does the permit only the one door, so is it another $300+ for second permit?
Do I need a permit to replace storm door at entry?

Sumter county website has overprinted answers to my questions and I can’t read them.

I thought I read that replacing a window or door that did not change appearance of building didn’t need a permit. There may have been changes since then.

A $300+ permit for a slider doesn’t make becoming more energy efficient very appealing.

[Mortal1]

Perhaps I'm just naive, but why don't you just go down to the town/hall/library in Pinellas shopping center and ask them?

[starflyte1]

I seem to have such questions after hours including week-ends.

[dhsmith]

If it were me and I was going to do the replacement I’d buy the door and install it end of story.

[JohnN]

If it were me and I was going to do the replacement I’d buy the door and install it end of story.

I second that emotion. I put on a storm door without any permit, I don't see why you'd need one for a slider.

[blueash]

So two of you say you'd do it and not bother with a permit which is not what the OP asked. He knows that he could get away with it, most likely, if it is required. But he is honest enough to want to actually follow the law and get a permit if it is required. Some of you have a different honesty self requirement. Thumbs up for Starflyte for wanting to do what is right.

The Sumter website has this information. I don't know what it means as it says no permit needed for Door exterior repair under $1000. That would not seem to include replace in its scope.

[starflyte1]

So two of you say you'd do it and not bother with a permit which is not what the OP asked. He knows that he could get away with it, most likely, if it is required. But he is honest enough to want to actually follow the law and get a permit if it is required. Some of you have a different honesty self requirement. Thumbs up for Starflyte for wanting to do what is right.

The Sumter website has this information. I don't know what it means as it says no permit needed for Door exterior repair under $1000. That would not seem to include replace in its scope.

I could not read the Sumter website. It was print over print.

[starflyte1]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate each one!

[villagetinker]

Starflyte, you can call Sumter County building department to get clarification, and you may be able to send an email, I know i have recieved emails from them, I do not recall if I ever asked a question by email.

[red tail]

Do I need a $300+ permit to replace same size sliding door?
If yes, does the permit only the one door, so is it another $300+ for second permit?
Do I need a permit to replace storm door at entry?

Sumter county website has overprinted answers to my questions and I can’t read them.

I thought I read that replacing a window or door that did not change appearance of building didn’t need a permit. There may have been changes since then.

A $300+ permit for a slider doesn’t make becoming more energy efficient very appealing.

I had one installed ny Lowes and yes a permit was required.

[JohnN]

So two of you say you'd do it and not bother with a permit which is not what the OP asked. He knows that he could get away with it, most likely, if it is required. But he is honest enough to want to actually follow the law and get a permit if it is required. Some of you have a different honesty self requirement. Thumbs up for Starflyte for wanting to do what is right.

The Sumter website has this information. I don't know what it means as it says no permit needed for Door exterior repair under $1000. That would not seem to include replace in its scope.

Nothing to do with "honesty", it's common sense. I'm not going to contact the government to see if I can replace a door that already exists. I'd not ever do that.
When I made landscaping changes, I contacted ARC. I even had a proposed change turned down and I abided by that, so don't lecture me.

Contacting the government to replace something that already exists is beyond foolish.

[juliewna]

I also looked at doors at Lowe’s to replace my sliding glass door. They told me about $300 permit that I would have to purchase when I bought the door from them. I ended up purchasing the glass from Romac and did not have to pay for the permit.

[RICH1]

A permit is always a good idea to get, that way the county will raise your taxes and separate you from your hard earned money!

[blueash]

Nothing to do with "honesty", it's common sense. I'm not going to contact the government to see if I can replace a door that already exists. I'd not ever do that.
When I made landscaping changes, I contacted ARC. I even had a proposed change turned down and I abided by that, so don't lecture me.

Contacting the government to replace something that already exists is beyond foolish.

Two people have posted that a permit was required:
juliewna I also looked at doors at Lowe’s to replace my sliding glass door. They told me about $300 permit that I would have to purchase when I bought the door from them.

redtail I had one installed by Lowes and yes a permit was required.



So despite your protestation that your common sense is the controlling authority in matters of legality, those who actually govern may have a different opinion. You apparently would never contact the government to see what is required because you are going to do it your common sense way, not the required legal way, if the two posts are accurate. Perhaps you are correct that this is not a matter of honesty, I apologize.

The correct answer will come from the OP's call to the building department and hopefully he will relay the actual requirement to this thread.

[MandoMan]

Do I need a $300+ permit to replace same size sliding door?
If yes, does the permit only the one door, so is it another $300+ for second permit?
Do I need a permit to replace storm door at entry?

Sumter county website has overprinted answers to my questions and I can’t read them.

I thought I read that replacing a window or door that did not change appearance of building didn’t need a permit. There may have been changes since then.

A $300+ permit for a slider doesn’t make becoming more energy efficient very appealing.

While I can’t speak for sure for Sumter County, this is how building permits usually work. Most towns require contractors, tradespeople, and homeowners to follow building codes. Usually these are pretty much the same across the country. The codes exist to make sure building is done properly without the corner-cutting that makes builders more money by doing a lousy job. The codes are more advanced than they used to be, which makes our houses safer. For example, hurricane straps are now required, and these keep roofs on houses during storms. Shingles have to be nailed on a certain way. As for sliding doors, they have to have the right sort of safety glass. There has to be adequate support above and below them. There needs to be flashing properly installed that keeps out water during storms and air flow from outside while your heater or air conditioner are running. Why? Not every builder keeps up with the best practices for doing various things, and many homeowners are willing to go with inferior products to save money.

In many or most cases, the building permit fees are meant to cover the cost of running the department. There is a lot of paperwork involved, and a lot of phone calls, emails, and letters. Most important, the fees cover visits by building inspectors to check to make sure the work is correctly done. This is for your safety. For example, up north there are very specific rules about how a deck must be attached to a house, including the right bolts, joist hangers, nails, wood, and spacing. Why? Because people get upset when twenty people are standing on a deck during a BBQ and it pulls away from the house and collapses. Building inspectors usually have worked for years as builders and know how it is done, and they take classes to learn how it should be done, and they study the building codes and memorize a lot of them. They have the power to force a builder to take it apart and do it right. They also check, say, to make sure that new pool or addition is not partly on someone else’s property.

In many cases of home improvement, the building inspector never shows up or isn’t required to, but if you want something inspected, just ask. A visit will be scheduled.

A lot of contractors will do work without filing for a permit if you ask. However, if you sell your house and it catches fire and it turns out that is due to improperly installed wiring done by you or by an electrician without a permit, you can inspect a lawsuit.

[Tmarkwald]

I would interpret repair as including replace

[CFrance]

I would interpret repair as including replace
But apparently Lowe's doesn't...

[DIver0258]

Starflyte, you can call Sumter County building department to get clarification, and you may be able to send an email, I know i have recieved emails from them, I do not recall if I ever asked a question by email.

I called about installing a free standing 10 X 12 pergola the building inspector clearly told me I have to have a building permit. After reading blueash's post, I did a little research, pergolas under 200 sq. ft don't require a permit. I suggest all do a bit of research in addition to a call.

[transplanted]

A permit is always a good idea to get, that way the county will raise your taxes and separate you from your hard earned money!

And if you go to sell your place, you may get to pay for the permit then; choose your poison.:icon_wink:

[PugMom]

very good thread, loaded with quality info...thx for posting the question.

[ImaTravelBug]

If you ask the officials, get their response in writing. Seems to me that it depends on who you ask. That would be your protection against future fines.

[cassjax2]

I replaced all windows and sliders in my home a few years ago and there was no permit needed.

[jimhurtt@twc.com]

Rebels!

[crc19188]

Call Sumter County and see if they will email you a copy of the paper you cannot read.

[Bogie Shooter]

I seem to have such questions after hours including week-ends.

It’s Monday, what did you find out?

[starflyte1]

I called the permit place today. If I do 4 windows and two patio sliders at the same time ONE permit SHOULD cover the entire job.

I plan on doing just that, ASAP.

[John_W]

...