Green Living. What Would Happen If I Built An Unconventional House That Did Not Meet The Building Codes?

Green Living : What Would Happen If I Built An Unconventional House That Did Not Meet The Building Codes

I am interested in a building a house using non-traditional and unconventional building methods. This house probably would not meet the local building codes. I already understand that securing any necessary financing to build the house would be difficult and that it would also be more difficult to insure the house once built. What I am not sure of is how the local government would react if I built a house without any effort to satisfy the building codes. Would there be any legal action taken against me? Would they try to prevent me from occupying my own home? ~~~ Unorthodox ~~~

Best Answer To Green Living Question

Before you even START building, youll have to get a building permit from the city or local government. To do this, youll have to provide them with architectural renderings (blueprints) that show every aspect of the house: dimensions, building materials to be used, electrical and plumbing schematics, and what the exterior will be made of, as well as other things. Some localities dictate what the exterior must look like. For example, in our city, the exterior of the house MUST BE at least 70% brick. If there is nothing adherently dangerous about how youre building the house--such as building a "hay bale" house--its possible you could argue your case before the citys board of adjustments to get a variance. (BTW--hay bale houses are supposed to be VERY save, VERY easy to build, and VERY energy efficient. Those would be good arguing points if thats what you are trying to build.) If they give you a variance, there are various times throughout the building process youll have to have inspectors come out and inspect the work that has been completed. (Electrical when the electrial work is finished to make sure its up to code, same thing for plumbing, insulation, framing, etc.) No matter what, it would be unadvisable to start building without the proper building permits. Not only can the city come in and tear down what youve already done, but you can be subject to fines and even jail time.

All Answer To Green Living Questions

Answer 1

Dont do it. They can do all kinds of bad things, including bull-dozing it if you dont cooperate. They would not just try to prevent you from occupying it, they would prevail. Meet with the planning department and go over the plans and see if they have suggestions for meeting code you can live with. They will probably be very helpful and you will win in the long run because you could actually sell your property with a house on it. Otherwise, you might be stuck until you bull-doze the house if you ever wanted to sell and were able to somehow to occupy the house without the proper inspections and meeting code.

Answer 2

All building without exception must meet building regs. You certainly wont be able to sell or insure the house under any circumstances. Even if you intend to live there yourself they are still likely to evict you and bulldoze it. You might have built it and it may be on private property but it will still be considered dangerous. Yes they can and will prevent you living there you will not only loose the house but a lot of money if you decide to fight the case in court. You can have an edgy or unusually designed house using unconventional materials and techniques and still meet building regulations. I really would recommend you do, it will only lead to a lot of problems if you dont. For a start you wont get planning permission in the first place. If you dont have planning permission they can simply knock anything you build straight back down again. Good luck

Answer 3

Most building codes are in place for safety, I cant imagine which codes you would want to ignore. There are cases where a city can allow you to do things in a different way if you can prove it would be safe. Depending on where you live the city or county would probably be within its rights to condemn the building if it was proven to be unsafe. It is possible in some areas to build a home that doesnt follow conventional guidelines, but still has to follow safe guidlines for structural integrity, electrical and plumbin. There is a community of Earth Ships is Arizona you may want to check out.

Answer 4

Funny, I just read an article about this very subject in the latest Countryside amp; Small Stock Journal. Two ladies built a cob house themselves, with no permits. They ended up being arrested and going to jail. Heres a link to the article. You can read all about what these two young ladies went throught: Basically you dont want to do it. ~Garnet Permaculture homesteading/farming over 20 years Who will be building a straw bale home, shop and barn.

Answer 5

They might make you tear it down. That would suck; and if you ever wanted to sell it you wouldnt be able to.

Answer 6

They would not approve it. And if they did approve it they would be completely irresponsible and incompetent. Get a structural engineer who is qualified to approve building designs. You may not need to get a whole lot of changes done to the design so it can meet code - he may bump up some of the sizes of some of the structural elements. building codes are there for your protection and the safety of your occupants, especially if you live in an area where theres wild weather.

Answer 7

Opinion is overwhelmingly negative for your idea. Let me offer a contrasting view. I an not from the building industry, Im in aircraft certification. The regulations assume a conventional design. However, means exist for novel or unusual design. The challenge to you is to assert that you are designing an unconventional dwelling that does not meet code, but presents a comparable level of safety. This is not easy and may be fool hardy, but this is the challenge to the innovator. Selling the idea to the regulator authority may be he greater challenge then the genius ot the concept. Best of luck to you.

Answer 8

Before you even START building, youll have to get a building permit from the city or local government. To do this, youll have to provide them with architectural renderings (blueprints) that show every aspect of the house: dimensions, building materials to be used, electrical and plumbing schematics, and what the exterior will be made of, as well as other things. Some localities dictate what the exterior must look like. For example, in our city, the exterior of the house MUST BE at least 70% brick. If there is nothing adherently dangerous about how youre building the house--such as building a "hay bale" house--its possible you could argue your case before the citys board of adjustments to get a variance. (BTW--hay bale houses are supposed to be VERY save, VERY easy to build, and VERY energy efficient. Those would be good arguing points if thats what you are trying to build.) If they give you a variance, there are various times throughout the building process youll have to have inspectors come out and inspect the work that has been completed. (Electrical when the electrial work is finished to make sure its up to code, same thing for plumbing, insulation, framing, etc.) No matter what, it would be unadvisable to start building without the proper building permits. Not only can the city come in and tear down what youve already done, but you can be subject to fines and even jail time.