This story reminds me of the building department hassle I had last year here in Florida. When the plans for the new house were submitted for the building permit, they included the spa, electrical permits, even a copy of the owner's manual, which was for a Caldera Geneva. In the end, though, the Caldera did not arrive in time and we substituted the Envoy. Didn't fit the permit. Electrical different. The builder changed the wiring, placed the spa only to learn that the drawing did not reflect another requirement for distance from the next lot or some such. Result was the installed spa, inside a screened patio did not meet the application specifications and was rejected. The town wanted the builder to re-apply for a new building permit to resolve the issue. Fee: $15,000.00. Without compliance, the town threatened to pull the electric meter off the house, which means no occupancy permit, and you have to evacuate the premises immediately. This was finally resolved at the 11th hour fifty ninth minute be a sympathetic clerk at the town building inspector office who went to a supervisor who signed off on the as built drawings. Up to that point, even a couple of high priced lawyers had failed miserably.
Moral: If you treat the ladies (who really run the department anyway) well, it is sometimes possible to move the mountain to Mohammed.
Bill