[RWebb]

The local govt. "permission" is based on the idea that screwing up certain constructions can cause an electrical fire that spreads to other people's houses and requires City Fire Dept.; plumbing screw-ups can contaminate everyone's drinking water or cause a nasty flood; & etc.

There are often substantial fines for not getting a required permit. It is a good idea to find out if a permit is required. Here, non-structural work is usually non-permitted, with the obvious exceptions of electrical & plumbing.

Yes, they do look at permits to see if they can raise your property taxes - that's "fair", right? I got hit big time for this - they are required to re-asses on the VALUE of the improvements, but instead they used the COST - which was much greater. I sued & forced them to back off on part of it. For some reason, they don't "like" me anymore...

If you are doing a renovation - say a kitchen, then it is likely legal to just get permits for the required sub-components of the job. The cost shown on the permit would be much less and you might escape a lot of the tax increase. But check to be certain before going ahead - attorneys can help you - they are, in essence, hired guns.