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Erm, no? Most municipalities require building permits, even for homeowners to do work on their own home, and those permits require work be done to code.
Does that always happen? Of course not. I also went 5-10 over the speed limit on the freeway yesterday, but that doesn't mean traffic regulations are for commercial vehicles only.
There is usually a dollar amount involved for what can be done before a permit is required. You're allowed to make minor changes required in the spirit of maintenance. So something like replacing a refrigerator and the old width being too small. If you cut the countertop to accommodate, no permit is legally required. The same can be said about almost every aspect of the home. That margin of what exactly is considered maintenance versus modification is what varies by area.
The other factor I've heard is that the changes must fall into what's undefined on the blueprints of record. If it is not specified in the blueprints, you are free to make the changes.
Again, I'm no expert here. I really wish I had the option to remove the mod badge when I only wish to post as a user. I could certainly be wrong. This is intended as a helpful but just water cooler talk amongst friends level conversation. When it comes to house mods and permits, this is how everyone I know does things.
Plugging a device into an outlet (be it a refrigerator, phone charger, or even an EV charge cord) does not require a permit. That's normal expected use. Counters are not regulated by code. There is nothing to get a permit for in your example, and not because of the dollar amount.
Adding an outlet to support that device would to ensure proper wire gauge, space covered by the breaker, GFCI protection, and stuff like that is done correctly.
But to say that regulations don't apply to homeowners is wrong. You likely don't need to be a licensed electrician or plumber or whatever to work on your own home, but the regulations of what you do/how you do it almost certainly apply.
These guys seem to imply taking out a non load bearing wall does not require a permit: https://remodelingdoneright.nari.org/homeowner-resources/questions-to-ask/when-do-i-need-a-permit
That implies all the electrical, flooring, ceiling, and attic work is not a factor either. Altering a load bearing wall would require permitting. That is how I've always heard it said too. It is not a great primary source, bit I don't care more than a basic search and first link I see reply either, so it is confirmation biased as such.
Yes, walls (including non-load bearing) still need to be checked for safety. While not as critical as load-bearing, they still need checks for things like proper materials, stud spacing, and that a hallway is wide enough for firefighters to get in with their equipment. Speaking of firefighters, fire blocking is also required.
I dunno what else to say here. I've done plenty of home improvement projects and have had many inspections by my city, including a basement finish (which takes framing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC...). My city even has a workshop to teach homeowners what's needed per code (at a high level) and emphasizes pulling a permit. My dad did plenty of projects in another state growing up, and all that took permits as well. So it's not like my city is just being weird.