I applied to my Connecticut city’s Building Dept. for a permit to finish my basement, which will not have a bedroom and therefore not require an egress window. In order to issue me a permit, the zoning inspector wants me to sign an affidavit that I will not allow anyone to live (e.g., sleep, cook) in the basement. Is the City’s request legal considering that I am being forced to swear to abide by a law in the future? If so, what prevents the government from requiring all Americans to swear that they will not violate any law, so that the next time they get a parking ticket not only will they have to pay the small fine, but they can be imprisoned for committing perjury?