As an architect, it upsets me to no end to see these developers, realtors, general contractors, and home flippers - remodel, build additions, or build a building from the ground up without a building permit. By my preception, these people do not value architects, architecture, and the City of Phoenix Planning and Zoning Department. I would love to see much more sustainable homes and commercial project, but until there are more teeth availble to punish these folks who build projects with no fear of punishment - the quality of homes and commercial project will continue to be sub par well into future.
The City of Phoenix could do a lot better in enforcing the "stop contruction notices" on those construction sites that ignores a Building Inspectors' citation.