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Our detached garage needs serious work. The entire roof needs to be torn off and rebuilt. We discovered two concrete brick walls need to be repaired. We were concerned about applying for a permit and later being told that we needed to do extensive work to the foundation. The process is you are granted a permit, you do the demo, THEN the inspector comes and approves to go forward and rebuild. We were uncomfortable with starting demo prior to it being seen.
Our township zoning dude was on our street a few weeks ago about something unrelated to our property. I approached him and asked if he could look at our garage. Surprise. Surprise. He tells me that no permits are needed for detached structures under 1,000 sq. ft. Basically, I can do whatever the hell I want to this building. I can tear it down and rebuild it. I could repair it. Anything. And I don't need a permit. He tells me this with disappointment---saying a federal law was passed a few years ago and he wished it were different.
I'm not looking a gifted horse in the mouth. I swear. I'm thrilled to hear this, but I'm curious so I searched for the federal law. I can't find anything. Has anyone heard of this?
I found Pennsylvania law (quoted below). I'm curious about the federal part.
Quote:
(b) Exclusions and exemptions. The Uniform Construction Code does not apply to:
(3) The following structures if the structure has a building area less than 1,000 square feet and is accessory to a detached one-family dwelling except as might be required by an ordinance adopted under section 503 of the act (35 P. S. § 7210.503):
I'm so glad I looked at this! I also discovered we don't need a building permit to build a new cabin at our camp!
Quote:
(11) A recreational cabin if the following conditions are met:
(i) The cabin is equipped with at least one smoke detector, one fire extinguisher and one carbon monoxide detector in both the kitchen and sleeping quarters.
(ii) The owner of the cabin files one of the following with the municipality:
(A) A Department form UCC-13 attesting to the fact that the cabin meets the definition of a ‘‘recreational cabin’’ in § 401.1 (relating to definitions).
(B) A valid proof of insurance for the recreational cabin, written and issued by an insurer authorized to do business in this Commonwealth, stating that the structure meets the definition of a ‘‘recreational cabin.’’
This is not "FEDERAL" law.
It is part of the ICC (International Code Council); which is a conglomerate of builders, inspectors, and other prominent individuals that are involved in the construction industry.
These are "minimal standards". Your particular AHJ could make these codes stricter. In otherwords, they could require a permit for anything over a sq/ft if they wanted- consider yourself "lucky" that they follow the minimum.
Our town requires a building permit for out building in excess of 120 Square feet... Several neighbors have installed sheds and that rule applies to their sheds. Several build sheds at 119 Sq Ft to beat the law...
Building codes are not federal. They are local ordinances from what K'ledge said but adopted by local communities, cities, towns and/or municipalities.
Yes you need a permit for remodeling on your existing structure.
When you are sure of what you are going to do write it up and take it down to your local planning department and see if you can get them to agree it requires no permit.
The statutes you are quoting are of the sort that they may or may not mean what you think. You have to know the context in detail.
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