I am in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Outside of the city limits. In Natchitoches Parish. I started digging my IG pool Monday. On 3/5/12, I obtained a building permit from our parish zoning office. I had to write on my application all sorts of stuff including the estimated cost of construction ($26,000). Today, as we are about to complete the excavation and start the smoothing out process, the parish inspector came out and told us we had to stop progress because our friend (who offered to help since he has experience with Bobcats) didn't have a DIY permit!!!!! I asked the inspector why did he need that, he isn't being paid, just lending a hand. He told us any improvements from $0-$7500 were not a problem. Improvements from $7,500-$75,000 require a DIY permit from the state. Improvements above $75,000 require a General Contractor's license. What the heck???? He didn't tell me that when I was applying for the permit!!!! He says it is a simple on-line form to fill out and costs $75. As soon as we get notification of the permit, we could start up again. Great.

We go on line to do this "simple form". It looks very simple except for at the bottom, it says that you must have Workers' Comp insurance for projects above $7,500 and you must have a license. We are simple homeowners trying to improve our backyard with a swimming pool. ***I will tell you that a PB that gave us an outrageous quote was seen 3-4 times in our neighborhood, and he is not working on any pools here right now*******

Now, what do I do? I have an 18 x 36 foot, 6 foot deep hole in my backyard. I can't leave it there for weeks, while I straighten this out. What are my options.

I'm very upset, as I went to the planning and zoning department like I was supposed to and he gave me the go ahead!!! He said as long as I was using a licensed plumber and electrician, I would be OK.