Your situation in not unique. Any building here requires a permit. In my case, I also needed to petition for a variance first, then the full permit process. I don't know anyone just building without permits. Hire a good architect and the feeling of hell should go away.
Oh, I went through hell, believe me. We are on septic and well water. Before I could dig for the garage extension, I had to have two test pits dug on my front lawn to show that I had a suitable alternative for a septic field should my existing one fail because the foundation for the garage eliminated available space for such an occurance. Here is the kicker: In our town, you cannot position a septic tank closer than 100 feet from a well. This proposed garage site was 45 feet from the well; it would have been illegal to put a septic system there in the first place!!! But the town health department wouldn't hear of it. Two holes 15 feet long and 10 feet deep. Rules are rules.
Is this a business or your private play room?
Its my retirement/hobby shop…
Nice!