Feasible Cabin for Off Grid Living?

[a7bi]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

The Building Department is still having major issues enforcing their codes. We have a property owner in our neighborhood who started building without permits in April.

I'm curious what is the logic behind reporting someone, who is not even your neighbor, but in your larger neighborhood. Is it somehow affecting your property value or your day-to-day life?

What's the process of reporting or figuring out lack of building permits on someone's construction?

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by a7bi

I'm curious what is the logic behind reporting someone, who is not even your neighbor, but in your larger neighborhood.

Off the top of my head -

Property values

Fire hazard

Potential criminal aspect

Potential drug house

I look at it as - if someone is willingly going to break the law - what else are they willing to do....

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

... But apparently the building department doesn't seem to care about unpermitted structures!

In most cases I feel that's the correct approach, though when someone complains to them they should certainly check up on the place in question.

I'd report someone only under certain circumstances, such as encroaching on someone else's land, obstructing someone's view illegally, or in a manner that clearly presents a safety hazard to neighbors.

Otherwise, builder, buyer and seller beware with off grid homes.

[terracore]

https://modularfarmbuildings.com/

"No Permit Required On Agricultural Zoned Land"

HPM is also selling "sheds" that don't require permits.

Others build tiny homes on a chassis because they are "RVs" and don't require permits.

Some people go these routes to stay on their land while they build their permitted homes.

[hotzcatz]

Originally Posted by terracore

Wood sold at the regular places (like Home Depot) is Hi-Bor. ( https://www.koppersperformancechemicals.com/hi-bor/ )

Despite the claims, it doesn't resist decay very well. For our mini-barn, I treated all the hi-bor lumber that contacts the ground with an additional water repellent. And it's up on a concrete foundation that is protected by the roof overhang from getting wet. Any of the remaining wood that might get damp is painted in high-quality paint. Inside and out.

For the chicken runs, we will apply several coats of quality paint to any wood that contacts the ground, and at least a double coat to everything else. It wont last forever, but I have more days behind me than I have ahead of me. It will last long enough.

Aloha Terracore,


FWIW, wood shouldn't touch the ground at all. Ever. At least, if you want it to last very long. Shouldn't touch concrete, either. Soil and concrete both wick moisture up into the ends of the lumber which then, of course, instantly rots.


Wood can touch metal - which is think is the real reason for 'termite pans' under posts. It can also be on plastic stuff like Trex Decking. Or if nothing else, at least one layer of tarpaper.



Your lumber will last a lot longer if it's not in direct contact with the ground. County likes to see 6" between the ground and wooden structural members.


Sounds like a nice chicken coop, though, if it's been painted. More than ours usually get.


A hui hou

[Hawaii_Bound]

Totally feasible.