Whether or not a permit is needed depends on where you live. Here in sacramento, ca, if it is under 120 sqft, no permit is needed. I concur that you NEVER invite a government offcial to see your coop. That is just asking for trouble. If they decide a permit is/was required, and you have already built it, they will force you to tear it down, file for the permit(s), pay the fees, THEN build. As long as your neighbors are cool with you having chickens, don't get govnmt involved intentionally. Too much hassle and red tape.
