Tulsa Church Fined After Replacing Stolen Air Conditioners

A Tulsa church was fined for repairing the damage done by crooks.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian in Tulsa said air conditioning units were stolen for the copper inside them.

A member of the congregation we spoke with said they were fined $325 for something she didn't even know they needed a permit for.

When we went to St. Andrew's Presbyterian back in June, members of the congregation, like Emile Tucker, were figuring out how they would cover the cost of replacing two air conditioning units.

6/30/2013 Related Story: Copper Thieves Don't Steal Tulsa Congregation's Spirit

"My first thought was, 'Are you kidding me?'" Tucker said. "I know it's been real popular in Tulsa lately and that they are looking for the copper in them."

The church went ahead and bought two new units worth about $5,000. It also installed a fence and a heavy duty lock to keep another theft from happening.

Tucker said the congregation soon found out they missed a step.

"We have a notice on our door that we're being fined," Tucker said.

Many of us are aware that you need permits for things like plumbing and electrical when constructing a home, but as St. Andrew's found out, you need them for much smaller things, like installing an air conditioner, many of which we may not be aware of.

"I feel for them, I'm so sorry that they had their units stolen," said Crystal Keller, with Tulsa's Planning and Economic Development Department.

Keller said the fines are generally three times the cost of the original permit. She said it's a matter of public safety.

"A lot of people just do it on their own, and you never know if it's installed correctly," Keller said.

Keller said, not only are permits required for air conditioning units, you also need them when installing ceiling fans, duct work, or if you remove a wall when remodeling the interior of your home.

"When you hire a contractor, make sure you let them know that a permit is required, and ask them, because they will generally roll it into their cost," Keller said.

She said, while most contractors or plumbers should know what requires a permit, in the end the building owner is responsible.

"How many people know that, until you get caught?" Tucker said.

Leaders in the St Andrew's church chose not to go on camera. They say they'll be dealing with the permit and licensing office in the future.

More information on permits required here