You should go find out what the city ordinances are. If they won;t tell you or you get trouble go to court and file a freedom of information act on them. The Judge will be incredulous since ordinances are supposed to be public knowledge. Then when you get the information and find you don;t need a permit go file a complaint and/or a lawsuit against that city. It will take some time but you will have a marvelous sense of satisfaction when it's all over.