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I don't think Tucson believes that's a mistake. Cities would prefer that all buildings are up to code, all the time. Tucson was lenient enough to say that if your friend can afford to keep the building dark for six months, he can afford to bring it up to code. It's entirely likely that if he tried to insure the building, his insurance company would require an inspection and similar work.

Perhaps he needed better inspection before purchase.

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it was my friends mistake - the city code was clear but he was not aware of it. He owns a lot of buildings, so he self insures and has done so for 20+ years. This particular building they were making into a new business headquarters, so it was disconnected just -slightly- too long.

There was nothing wrong with the electrical. He was forced to make the 40 year old building ADA compliant, with handicap bathrooms, parking, etc. and a whole other list of requirements that did not apply when the building was built.

So take it as a lesson, not a complaint about code. Also, never shut off utilities if you can help it :)

I bet people with disabilities who go there will appreciate the ADA compliance, too.

Its a sewage treatment plant. He has not had anyone come to his business in 25 years that needed ADA compliance. It is part of the current building code, so that is that. No ADA, no final approval.

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