When is a permit required

[mezmo]

Mary,

Get around that "4th side" requirement by building it
round or triangular !

[Mary C]

I would and that is a great idea but no horses now on my property and things have changed.

Mary C.

[Hamsterbite]

I was just listening to a Podcast this morning about a guy who moved to Texas in order to build an earthship. Apparently Bastrop County (Near Austin) is attracting a lot of people in the alternative housing movement because of the lack of buiding/planning requirements.

[Hamsterbite]

Since my move is still a few months out and I don't have any specific plans yet, I haven't spoken to the building dept Mgr, who by the way only posts public office hours for one hour per week! I did download the town zoning bylaws though and learned a few things:

The plot is zoned "Green Business"

Accessory Dwelling Units are alowable by special permit and only need be 300 sq/ft or greater

Buildings less than 200 sq/ft with no electric/plumbing do not require a permit

Accessory buildings can not be in the required front yard space of the primary dwelling

Accessory buildings must be 1.5X further away from the primary dwelling than it's height

a detached professional office building is allowed with no more than one FT employee that is not a relative(my wife is going for her CPA!)

accessory dwelling units must not be visible from the plot frontage (not a problem here)

[Mary C]

Sounds like you got it and if the zoning guy only there for an hour a week or day sounds like you got it easy with permits.

Mary C,

[NathanL]

I have never lived anywhere that requied a building permit or an inspection. Texas passed a law that required a total of 3 inspections regarding sewer etc...but my county doesn't have an inspector so they got a waiver. I moved since then and the county here only requires a permit if it is a commercial building. Being in the construction business I have determined that you get a better built house for the most part in areas with no permit requirements as it seems builder in permit areas only build to the code and that is all. I've bought and sold a number of houses in both areas.