[secretagent]

I can't see why they should need a permit to build a house, numbers or not.

If they want to risk it falling down, let them.

[DugwayDuke]

"I can't see why they should need a permit to build a house, numbers or not."

You can build it, but the power company won't hook you up without a final inspection. Without a building permit, you can't get the inspection. Without a house number you can't get a building permit. The families involved consider electricity to be a somewhat necessary convienience.