My entire DIY life is a series of asking for forgiveness instead of permission, so @phoenix_wood30, your friend is my spirit animal. I once built a whole deck and just hoped the city wouldn't notice from the road. The permit process seems like such a pain every single time, all those forms and waiting. Your friend's fine is probably the universe telling me to knock it off before I try a second story addition without telling anyone. That sting from the wallet is a brutal way to learn that lesson, for sure.