BajaNomad

building permits

greta-inbaja - 11-17-2007 at 11:11 AM

Hello,
We are now not using our original builder,(too much $$$). Has anyone filed for there own permits?? We have been told it is a nightmare. We have all the necessary paperwork in Spanish. We hope to build 5 miles south of Frailes Bay so I guess the building department is in San Jose or San Lucas? Thanks, Greta

Eli - 11-17-2007 at 11:26 AM

For Fralies, the building department is in San Jose.

I think the Engineer reponsible for the project does the filing and reports due with the building department. You must have an engineer responsible for project, he provides the building department with legal plans, calculas, photos of the different phases of the project and upon completion closes out project with the building department and manifests with Catastro the changes.

In the past if you had all of the above named documents, along with a legal plot plan, proof of ownership, (deed or fidio), water contract. and it has been so long I can't remember what else, (maybe a change of use of land from rustic to urban?), I expect that you could file yourself, but the last time I walked my way thru a pemit was 15 years ago. I believe it is better left in the hands of the Engineer responsible for the project to do the filing.

bajajudy - 11-17-2007 at 11:33 AM

I believe that you would file in San Jose.
Do you have plans....original and a couple of copies(actually making several copies is a good idea so everyone has a copy...mason, carpenter...etc). Take them to Obras Publicas. Their office in room #16 in the semi-round municipal building just up from Dollar car rental(same side of the road on Mex #1) and between the two traffic lights(one on Doblado coming out of town and the other on the two-way Valerio(people here call it the bump street) where the overhead sign says "El Centro". You have to be on the lateral road headed toward Doblado and the road will curve around the building. There are two restaurants before, one a chinese take out and the other a seafood place called Mar something. Ask anyone where Obras Publicas is and they will likely know.
I have never spoken to anyone in there who speaks English well, but that could have changed.

bajajudy - 11-17-2007 at 11:36 AM

Oops, good info from Eli...she is an expert in all things construction in this area.

Eli - 11-17-2007 at 11:43 AM

Thanks for the kudos judy, but I am not an expert anymore, I am sooooooooo retired and rules are always changing.

greta-inbaja - 11-17-2007 at 12:12 PM

Thanks for your help. The builder/architect that we were going to use is in San Jose, he did the plans and arranged for the engineering. The engineers name is on the paper work. I guess we will contact him is neeed. I have many copies of everything . I have learned on the board that in Mexico you can never have too many copies of anything.

Eli - 11-17-2007 at 12:50 PM

You are welcome Greta.

And yes, for sure contact your Engineer, after all he does have to sign the solistitude for the building permit and will be responsible that all structure is reviewed by him and corelates with the engineering that was turned in to the building department in order to obtain the permit.

In the old days, I had a partner who was a draftsman and knew how to do the calculas, so he would just draw the plans, calculate and forge an Engineer's signiture and there were no reports, life was simple, and we could cheat and save the client money.

A few plus years ago my than new partner and now son in law, who is a Civil Engineer came across some old plans in the office that my old partner had signed my Son in Law's name on, ah well. Jejeje, that was fun to explain, glad he was my partner, a good friend and has a sense of humor.