Measure 63: If it sounds too good to be true ...

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Some voters will look at Ballot Measure 63 and think it's a good deal. After all, who wouldn't want to save time and money by avoiding the necessity of getting a building permit on home improvement projects?

Then again, who wouldn't want to be assured that a neighbor's project is not an unsightly eyesore. Who wouldn't want to know that the plumbing has been correctly installed in that home you may buy? Who wouldn't want to be certain that the flooring and ceilings in that add-on room were added on in a safe manner?

Measure 63 is another — sigh — Bill Sizemore measure that is long on promises, short on details and likely filled with unintended negative consequences.

The measure would exempt building permit requirements for residential and farm property projects that do not exceed $35,000. We understand the basic concept: People are frustrated by the bureaucracy they encounter when they need a building permit for a minor project like a fence or a ground-level deck.

But Sizemore's measure does not deal with simple projects — in fact, it's possible someone could rebuild an entire home without a building permit if they played their cards right.

While the measure sets a cap of $35,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) on the exemption, it does not specify what that $35,000 applies to. So someone who wanted to take on their own project could spend $35,000 a year on materials alone. And there's nothing in the measure that would prevent them from spending $35,000 on materials in December and another $35,000 in January.

One opponent of the measure correctly noted, "Thirty-five thousand can buy a whole lot of stupid when it comes to working on houses." Seventy thousand doubles that concern.

The measure requires that electrical work be performed by a licensed electrical contractor or that the work is inspected and approved by a licensed contractor. We wonder how many licensed contractors are ready to put their signature on Joe Homeowner's wiring job?

Beyond that, there are no requirements for inspections or approvals of such things as plumbing, water drainage, heating, air conditioning, concrete work, basic design, weight loads, etc.

Among those opposed to this measure are firefighters (who have good reason to be concerned if a house is not properly constructed), the Oregon Building Officials Association, the Oregon Farm Bureau and the American Insurance Association (and, by the way, good luck on getting insurance for that permit-free addition to your home).

Yes, getting a building permit can be a pain. But it provides assurance that your project meets the law's requirements, is safe to occupy, is built to last and is not a problem for you or a prospective buyer when it comes time to sell your home.

Government regulations can be frustrating. But building permit rules are there for a reason and when it comes to the safety and value of your property, it's no time to take a shortcut.

We recommend a no vote on Ballot Measure 63.

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