Regulations are written in blood.

When you don't get a permit you own ALL the risk of the work. Redoing the facade requires a permit because most brick is structural. You can't simply re-lay brick and expect it to perform. You need to meet modern building code. (Same goes for stucco, siding, etc). If you fail to follow code you could have water and mold, poor workmanship with no recourse, or be fined heavily by the City.

If your home causes damage to anyone and you don't have a permit, you will be screwed if not dead because it killed you.