Permit Dodgers Expose Cities to Seismic Risk and Infrastructure Strain

Compounding the financial motives are the burdensome bureaucratic processes and high official costs associated with obtaining legitimate building permits. The administrative maze of approvals, the lengthy waiting periods, and the substantial fees charged by municipalities create a strong disincentive for compliance, especially for smaller builders or low-income citizens desperate to secure housing. This complex environment inadvertently pushes individuals towards illicit shortcuts to bypass what they perceive as an insurmountable legal and financial barrier.