Amnesty given on building permits

Dan Kulin

Monday, Nov. 4, 2002 | 9:35 a.m.

An amnesty program offered by the North Las Vegas building department brought in 50 residents to get permits and official authorization for work already done.

While 20 homeowners were able to pick up permits without any penalties, city inspectors found problems with work done by or for the other 30 residents, said Phil Coggins, who heads the city building safety division.

At least 12 homeowners had to tear down small structures, such as lean-tos, because they were either too close to the property line, or not enough building materials were used. Others had more work to do before the city would permit the construction, Coggins said.

Coggins said he considers the program a success, and will present a report on the program to the City Council at an upcoming meeting. Another amnesty program could be held if the council supports it, he said.

The amnesty program kicked off on July 27 with two seminars, one in English and one in Spanish.

Coggins said the permit-less situations would "never have to come to the city's attention" unless the homeowners had come in for the amnesty program.

The city issued about 5,000 building permits in 2001, said Tony Vibabul, city permit application center supervisor.

Homeowners who participated in the program still had to pay for the permits, which generally cost $50 to $150, depending on the size of the construction project. But participants did not have their permit fees doubled, the regular penalty for getting permits late, Coggins said.

The amnesty ended Oct. 27.