By Catherine Hallberg
Some homeowners don’t think they need a permit to enclose an AZ room, convert a garage or make part of their home a guest quarters. They believe that since they can do the work themselves, why bother?
When they go to sell their home they may have trouble getting the square footage included with the main dwelling. Pima County has all kinds of rules and regulations with regards to conversions or additions. For instance, AZ rooms or garage conversions must have heat and AC to be considered as part of the total home. Attached guest quarters must have an interior door connecting them to the main living area.
Detached guest quarters have a whole different set of rules. Although they may now contain full kitchens, they can’t be on a separate meter, nor can they have their own driveway. Total lot size must be at least 16,000sf and the guest house can’t be more than 45% of the square footage of the main house. There are other rules which may be found in in the Pima County Assessors site: Building Codes section 18.09.020 General Requirements / Exceptions. Section G
Better still, go down to the Assessor’s Office at 240 N Stone Ave, or call 520-724-8630. Don’t risk losing money on the future sale of your home. Get a permit!
