Cabin without need for building permit? (house, camping, square footage)

[Tac-Sea]

Anyone know the square footage footprint size that doesn't require a permit to build or put a cabin on a lot? Specifically looking at King and Pierce Counties. The cabin would be off grid, meaning it's own electricity via solar, etc.

I looked at the county regulations, lot's of dry reading. Figured someone here knows of a more friendly resource to find this stuff out.

[lady fern]

You might be able to get away with no permit if it is under 200 square feet, but I have a feeling that either county will try to get their cut. I lived in Thurston county and watched 2 guys spend nearly an hour in the permit office, with plenty of paperwork in hand, just to build a pole barn in a rural area.

[Granny Fats]

Call up the county zoning and use office and ask - call twice, because you can get two opposite opinions sometimes -

[Tac-Sea]

Originally Posted by Granny Fats

Call up the county zoning and use office and ask - call twice, because you can get two opposite opinions sometimes -

That's actually a good idea, thanks! I'll also ask them to point me to the written code online.

[Hemlock140]

I'm sure you will find that the lack of permit only applies to outbuildings, and not for occupancy as a cabin regardless of the size. It's not only the permit fees, but the property tax increase to pay for the fire/police/road services for people living there as opposed to using it for storage, and of course, safety
of occupants.

[Haakon]

You can build a shed 200 sq feet or less without a permit, so you might want to build a "shed" instead of a "cabin".
Is a permit required

I'd be surprised if King County let you build anything with living space without a permit. You definitely will need one for any kind of septic system.

[CSD610]

Originally Posted by Tac-Sea

Anyone know the square footage footprint size that doesn't require a permit to build or put a cabin on a lot? Specifically looking at King and Pierce Counties. The cabin would be off grid, meaning it's own electricity via solar, etc.

I looked at the county regulations, lot's of dry reading. Figured someone here knows of a more friendly resource to find this stuff out.

Have you considered a Tiny House on wheels?
Is this for camping or full time living?
The Tiny House is small however, there are many sizes available but a maximum size for it to be considered a Tiny House. I don't remember specifics however, there are many floor plans and sizes to be found online. Some cost some don't.

[Cinebar]

I don't know if it varies from county to county, but I know here in Lewis County, as long as you stay 200 s.f. or less, you're good.

A friend of mine and her husband live in what they call a "hut" on her father's property - there are a couple of these 10'X20' huts (one is her father's - although her father no longer lives there), connected by a roof/breezeway type of set-up, with what could be called a "communal" kitchen in the breezeway.

They use a port-a-potty and bathe outside in an old bathtub.

My son wants to move me onto his place eventually and we're looking at doing something similar for me - just a 200 s.f."cabin" (except with indoor plumbing).

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by Cinebar

I don't know if it varies from county to county, but I know here in Lewis County, as long as you stay 200 s.f. or less, you're good.

It does. Here in Clallam County a permit is not required for a detached structure less than 400 sq. ft.

[Cinebar]

Originally Posted by Dendrite

It does. Here in Clallam County a permit is not required for a detached structure less than 400 sq. ft.

Wow! Even better!