Residential Laws, What Is Needed?

[hadishon]

I'm going to go out and do some residential work until I can save up enough money to buy better equipment.

My question is, do I need special permits? I'm thinking of trying to get some house, gutter, and deck cleaning work. I'm also thinking of getting into deck restoration (been reading past threads). I have stripped and stained one house in the past. Do I need to be concerned about waste water? I'm hoping I can just leave the waste water be or direct it towards a storm drain. Can I do this? Also, is there a differance if I do work in the town of Columbia (100,000 Population) or places in the county?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Larry L.]

Check with your city as to what permits you may need,some cities you do not need permits.Usually out in the county you can do as you please(usually).The water plant would be a good start to find out if you need permits or extra tools for the trade.

 

[Mike Hughes]

Originally posted by hadishon
Do I need to be concerned about waste water? I'm hoping I can just leave the waste water be or direct it towards a storm drain.

Well, you never want to actually "direct" the water towards a storm drain................you want to prevent it from going into a storm drain.

For the most part, waste water is not a concern in residential work, unless it is heading directly for a storm drain..........


Contact your state about your other questions..............the state should put out publications about running businesses in your state...........

 

[Walt Graner]

Here in Austin they get cute in this area. You call ask for info, they say sure we'll mail it to you. Couple of days you get certified package, and "WHALLA" you have now been legally notified and are in their data bank as such.

 

[Doug Dean]

databank of warned people?

are you saying that they add you to a list of people that should know better. lol. this is funny. This way they can write you a citation, correct?

 

[Walt Graner]

"Yup Er!"
You be legally notified and everything.

 

[oneness]

typically, they don't have to warn you at all. Not knowing what the laws and regulations are doesn't excuse you for breaking them, and doesn't always give you a break on your first violation.

 

[Walt Graner]

True, the big difference would be that of “Negligenceâ€￾ and “Gross negligenceâ€￾
ie.
“Gee I didn’t know, I will never do it again.â€￾
And, I was legally notified knew everything and I did it anyway, &*^%% you!

These two situations are treated much differently.

 

[oneness]

I agree that they are typically treated differently...However, having had to deal with government agencies on a regular basis as a part of my day job, I was simply pointing out that they don't have to, and don't always, give you a break just because you didn't know the rules. Fortunately, not all government employees are crazed, by-the-book robots!

If a person starts a business in a particular industry, whether it is pressure washing or any other trade, it is that person's responsibility to find out what the laws and regulations are that govern that trade. That's one of many things that make these boards such a good thing, they help all of us learn what we need to know.