A site I found on the net stated that most states have an exception to the building code that will allow you to build a "cabin" of 10' x 12' without a permit. It also could not have plumbing. Does anyone know if this is true? And does anyone know if Norch Carolina in particular offers this exception to the code? Thanks, Jack

-- jack (atl.jack@mailexcite.com), March 02, 2001

Answers

I live in NC and looked into this about 4 years ago.

There was an exception of either 12x12 or 16x16. Don't know for sure which. But this was for utility buildings, not for residence. The fact that you are building a residence adds a whole new set of restrictions. You really need to call your county officials and find out more about your local restrictions. Also check the deed restrictions and covenants for your land (this is more common in North Carolina than zoning restrictions in many areas). You may find you have a deed restriction for a minimum square footage or construction type.

There is a mailing list for NC homesteaders, BTW. Go to http://yonderway.com to learn more (it would be under Interactive resources).

Chris

-- Chris Hedemark (chris@yonderway.com), March 02, 2001.

I know in MICH,, you can build a 10 by 12,, with no plumping/elecric and it must not have a concrete foundaion,, basiclly a shed

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), March 02, 2001.

Where I am in MA all you can build without a permit is a 6'x8' shed. Anything bigger requires zoning/building permits.

-- Bob Johnson (Backwoods_Bob@excite.com), March 02, 2001.

Depends on where you are and what kind of land you own.... For example:

Idaho has the exemption, except for if you have a mining claim. Nothing is supposed to go up on those - even an outhouse.

Boise County has no building codes at all, but they enforce the electrical and plumbing Fed codes. So, in effect, you could build a castle out here - just don't have electric or a toilet.

In IL - no exemtions.

Also - if you live on the outskirts of a town - even if you are unincorporated... their rules can over rule the exemption.

So - have someone write or call and ask for the written code for you. That way, they won't know its you, and if you decide to go another route, who would be the wiser?

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 02, 2001.

I do know that you have to call a building like that a "storage building" or outbuilding. And do not ever tell a official type that you want to sleep in it. I have done it and have seen others do it too. Once you put the thing up, you have the right to use it any way you want. They might have a problem later if they think you are living on your property in sub standard conditions if your area is really strict-they mostly worry about the sanitation problem. Once you have built the thing, the only reason most folks might have a problem is if the picky neighbors call the county and complain,but that takes a while, and only if they know what your doing up there! If you are remote enough, then it could take years for them to find you and you dont even need to ask. Are you doing this just until you are ready to build a "real" house??

-- maureenb (firegirl102@hotmail.com), March 02, 2001.

Sue has the right idea. Research it under someone else name & address then decide what you'll do. DW

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), March 04, 2001.

Hi - the UBC has a 120 square foot exception, the 120 sf is ROOF area, not internal or wall dimensions.

-- Guy Winton (guyiii@home.com), March 06, 2001.

It completely depends on your local county planning or building department codes. You should be able to anonymously get a copy of the applicable code from you county planning department or off the web if they are that advanced. Some rural counties here in the west have no required permits for even homes! In my county there is an "eave line" square footage that is the criteria for outbuildings that can be built without a permit. (48 square feet???) Also, you may not need a permit if it is a "temporary" or "portable" structure. Sometimes permits are not required if it is open, as in a riding arena.

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), March 06, 2001.

Jack, here's a simple answer....you can build anything you want, plumbing or no plumbing, as long as you... DONT GET CAUGHT! my advice though is to keep things simple and always talk to the appropriate officials with a smile on your face and follow everything with a bucket load of thank you's Erik

-- Erik Miller (enricoestabar@yahoo.com), March 08, 2001.

We get questions like this a lot. In our work/craft the log buildings don't generally ever need a permit when we build the "shell" as we pre assemble them on a temporary site first, then number all the logs according to the plan, disassemble, move and then re-assemble onto the foundation. The preassembly can take a while but the disassembly is only a day or so and so is the re-assembly. The process keeps you from paying interest on a loan, spending money on the foundation before it is needed and allows you to take the time needed without the permit. A "shell" can then be looked over by a code inspector and he can make his "recomendations". It is a very good idea to hold the guy's hand, his coffee cup, walk his dog, baby sit so his wife and he can go out to dinner - even if he's an idiot. Smile, its temporary! ALWAYS CHECK WITH THE LOCAL OFFICE of the building inspector about your plans before you begin. Have never heard of anyone having a problem with pre-assembly of a log building.

This may be of interest to you too - We recieved an e-mail stating there was much interest about our school and hands-on classes in the traditional craft of building with logs; We go where ever arrangements are made by someone wanting to build a handcrafted log home from scratch and conduct an intense 14 day hands-on course where the students are not only learning to do for their own, but the project is for a worthy cause and helping, generally, a family to get a big start on building theior own log home or log cabin. This is our schedule this far !

A 320 acre Camp located just to the NW of Fort Collins, Colorado is hosting a class in which some participants will enroll for the two weeks and others for the four week hands-on training in log home building! The Camp is providing lodging and meals to the students without charge. The camp, as our host, recieve a log building to house staff out of the class! See below!

We are doing a two week and a four week class in the Rockies in Fort Collins

area of Colorado at the "Buck Horn Camp" ......... we will build a cabin for

staff lodging there, the "shell" in its entirety!

www.buckhorncamp.org. Buck Horn Camp Web Site buckhorncamp@juno.com Gregg Kernes, Camp Manager

Meals and lodging will be provided free for all the students participating

by the host!

The best way to learn this is to single out someone that knows the craft and

bird-dog him. Probably the fastest way to learn too. You will be lodging, eating and working with me for four weeks with Sundays off. You will be exhausted and ready to go home, but a proficient log builder, ready to build

yourself a project!

As a member of the Great Lakes Logcrafters Association and the Canadian Log Builders Association, I know many of the builders in the US, or know of them. We get requests for trained entry-level log builders from these Professional Custom builders .......so, if employment is a goal we can help you with that too!

You will need to be willing to relocate for the duration of your employment and they will likely ask for a one year commitment. The reason for that is they don't want to lose good help in the middle of the jobs they have planned. A trained log builder at the "entry" level is in high demand and enough are'nt available to go around! Entry Level because they will have a few things they want to be able to teach you them selves and Trained because you will have shown and invested yourself in learning the craft. Being paid $14.00 to 17.00/ hr is not uncommon with your abilities demonstrated.

The month long class is going to be coming up in June .........You can do the first two weeks at the two week tuition rate, or the four week class and see the project through to a completed "shell"!

We are being "Hosted" and going to Vermont in August (5th-19th), Tennessee in September (8th-22) and Georgia in October (6th-20th). We may be going to Arizona in November and plans are being made now for a tentative two week class in Anchorage, Alaska in June 2002!

You need to decide if this is a career or the opportunity to learn to build a log home from scratch for yourself! .......it gets in your blood ! After you see it and do it, you won't look at it like its "work" ...... I have'nt for 18 years!

So, . . . what are you doing this summer?

All the best!

Bill & Amy

Hope to see you there!

This is the William M. Lasko School of Log Building @ LogSmithy@AOL.com Log Building School URL: http://www.wmmLaskologschool.homestead.com/laskoschooloflogbuilding.ht ml

The Vermont class is a two week class in which we will build a 1500 square foot log "shell" with 12 coners in the plan. The host resides in Burlington, VT. John Rowell, 5 Knoll Circle So. Burlington, VT 05403 E-mail; jsk5k@together.net and phone is ; 802 864-5430

-- William M. Lasko (LogHomeRaisings@AOL.com), March 09, 2001.