The INDEPENDENT, August 5, 2004
Page 5
Business Notes
Remodeling to sell your home? Be sure you have needed permits
If you’re thinking of adding a
room, remodeling the bath, or
updating the wiring in your bed-
room, find out whether a build-
ing permit is required. Not only
does the permitting process en-
sure that the installation is safe
for present and future occu-
pants, the Building Codes Divi-
sion of the Department of Con-
sumer and Business Services
is reminding Oregonians that a
new law makes it difficult to sell
a house for which proper per-
mits were not secured.
As of July 1, Senate Bill 515,
passed in 2003, requires home
sellers to disclose to prospec-
tive buyers any remodeling
done to the house and whether
permits were obtained for the
work. So, if you’re thinking
about adding a room or updat-
ing wiring, call the building de-
partment that has jurisdiction in
your area.
“So many people are finding
that they need permits to sell
their houses that we now have
a “Get Legal” program de-
signed to provide permits and
inspections for work done with-
out a permit,” says Jackie
Phillips, City of Portland.
Other building departments
are following suit and respond-
ing to the new demand for per-
mits.
“it’s easier and less expen-
sive – and much less a
headache – to secure permits
at the beginning of the project,”
said Scott Caufield, building of-
ficial for Clackamas County. “A
home is usually a family’s
biggest financial asset and it’s
worth the investment to ensure
that the work is performed to
Re-opening of Oak Ranch Quarry
makes rock available locally, again
The Oak Ranch Quarry, on
Apiary Road, has new opera-
tors and is once again open to
the public.
The only public quarry in the
area, it is now being operated
by Heilmann Land Services of
Oregon, Inc., a company
owned by April and Bob Wood
and Bud and Dodi Heilmann,
all of Birkenfeld.
Re-opened on July 1 to the
public, the quarry offers 3/4 mi-
nus, 2” minus and pit run (ap-
proximately 6” minus) rock for
pickup or delivery. Just re-
member, if you pick it up, it
means you shovel it there and
then shovel it at home. The
quarry will have about 20,000
yards of each size available per
year.
The goal is “to provide rea-
sonable, local rock year round,”
Bob Wood said. With over 40
years of experience in gravel,
Heilmann Land Services will
have no trouble becoming a re-
liable source for all rock users.
Located on Apiary Road at
Milepost 15.5, which is 3.5
miles east of Hwy 47, the quar-
ry is open Monday through Fri-
day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Special arrangements for other
hours or special delivery needs
can be accommodated with
one to two days advance no-
tice. Said April Wood, “Give us
a call, we are happy to help. It’s
important to us to be part of the
community.” For special ar-
rangements or more informa-
tion call 503-755-0400 or e-
mail the quarry at <oakranchqu
arry@dialoregon.net>.
Unfortunately, if you were
using the lack of local rock as
an excuse to put off that drive-
way or other project – sorry
about that – time’s up. Oak
Ranch Quarry is now open for
all those gravel “honey-do’s.”
structural and safety stan-
dards.”
To find out more about per-
mits and when and whether
they are necessary, those with
remodeling ideas should con-
sult <www.permitsprotect.info>
a Web site that provides infor-
mation on types of permits,
where to apply for them, where
to find a licensed contractor,
links to contractor license
checks, and how to find the
building department in your
area.
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