A Denver man’s mistake with a building permit for his property is now snowballing into a much bigger problem — with no signs of stopping.
EJ Braquet built a pergola over his back patio in 2023 without a permit, mistakenly believing that the simple structure would not require permission from the city.
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However, when a neighbor filed a report about the addition, the issue became more than just the pergola. Both his garage and shed were identified as code infringements by the city, and Braquet has now paid nearly $2,000 in fees, not to mention hundreds of hours dealing with the issue, and still hasn’t gotten a resolution.
His story is an example of why it’s so critical to understand your city’s bylaws, including zoning, height limits, and any restrictions your HOA imposes. This can prevent a simple weekend DIY project from becoming a years-long headache.
‘I made a mistake’
Braquet built the pergola over his back patio for his aging mother, who was no longer able to visit the local park but wanted to be able to spend time outdoors…