Q&A for How to Report Illegal Construction

Complaints about completed illegal activity may be filed at any time. The local rules will determine when there is no longer any official action to be taken. Owners of adjacent properties may have a much longer period in which to take their own civil actions, depending upon the violation.

You can file a complaint at any time. As a general rule, the longer you wait, the less that can be done officially.

Your local attorney may research the law and permits for you and send a "cease and desist" order to the company, if the unlawful use is damaging your rights on your own property. You may also file an official complaint with the local regulatory agency that handles zoning or land use, if not also complaints of noise or other nuisances.

Operating a home business may be regulated by municipal or county zoning in your area, if not also requiring state registration for business licenses and taxes. I would start with the zoning board for information about how things are supposed to work.

In most places, yes. A change in use and occupancy would typically require some sort of notice if not permission from the local zoning board, which may then authorize the building officials to accept construction plans for review and issue any necessary permits. In other places, no permits might be necessary, once the change is approved under zoning regulations and by the fire department.

Such rules would vary according to the specific location and circumstances. In most places, putting up a new building is regulated more heavily than making interior changes to an existing building. However, changes that affect the structure or fire safety are a priority for the safety of human life, even if nobody knows how to regulate it properly.

Ask the local building officials (if any) whether they are aware of it. If nothing else, you can contact to the executive board or mayor that oversees your municipality to request status of permits. In my rural town, without any local building officials or enforcement, the fire department might regulate construction over which no other town agency has jurisdiction.