I Installed Recessed Lighting Too Close to Plumbing for Code

Remove the Lighting

• If you haven't obtained the requisite municipal permits to make lighting or wiring changes to your home, remove the recessed lighting before any official inspector shows up at your property to review the grounds. This act, while time consuming and expensive, can eliminate any larger headaches resulting from violating local building code. According to Bank Rate's website, centers of government across the country require permits before making home additions to regulate construction and provide a foundation for safety standards. State building code rules also require installation of home additions or improvements by licensed contractors only.

Building Code Violations

• Building code violations vary by city and municipality across the country. For example, according to the Sonoma County Permit and Management Resource Department, fines for building code violations vary between $5 and $500 per day depending on your previous code-violation record. The fine also may be a percentage of a permit's cost if you can correct the issue by purchasing a relevant building permit. Since your recessed lighting is a violation of local code, you'll have to pay the daily fine until you remove the fixture.

Homeowner's Insurance Consequences

• Your homeowner's insurance policy has a clause requiring you to adhere to all local, state and federal ordinances regarding building safety. This includes going through all the legal procedures to obtain necessary permits to make additions or improvements to your home. Installing recessed lighting in violation of any relevant building codes can void your homeowner's insurance. This means your insurance company doesn't have to pay for damages to your property that the company can tie to your recessed lighting, including fire damage from damaged circuits and wiring. Housing units of recessed lighting installed too close to plumbing are at risk for water and heat damage from leaking/sweating pipes or from pipes that routinely carry hot water. Heat damage can burn protective wire coverings and lead to fire just as water exposure can cause electrical shorts.

Selling Your Home

• Selling your home with existing building code violations is difficult. Any prospective buyer has the right to request you fix the problems, including removing recessed lighting too close to plumbing, before the buyer will make a bid on the home. A state-licensed inspector appraising the property also can require you to fix the code violations before selling the house. If an inspector finds the violations, failing to repair them will net you municipal fines until you hire a licensed contractor to bring the property in compliance with local building code.