Unpermitted Cabin on Big Island? (real estate, rent, house)

[Flame Angel]

Originally Posted by PacificFlights

I dont understand why people feel they SHOULD be allowed to build unpermitted when they come to Hawaii? The rules are to have a permit and coming into someone elses place of living and deciding you don;t want top play by the rules is down right unneighborly.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by PacificFlights

I dont understand why people feel they SHOULD be allowed to build unpermitted when they come to Hawaii? The rules are to have a permit and coming into someone elses place of living and deciding you don;t want top play by the rules is down right unneighborly.

While I appreciate the spirit of what you say -- and in which you say it -- there are actually a hell of a lot of really great reasons why the limitations of the building codes and zoning regulations are unfair ... downright insane, in some ways. There are many ways to build many alternate kinds of living spaces that are far more sensible, more environmentally sound, and less expensive and complex that what prescriptive codes demand. America is a free country in theory only.

I do not advocate for "anything goes". I do advocate for creative and alternative lifestyle consideration by government. And no, by "alternative lifestyle" consideration, I do not mean it should be okay to endanger or offend one's neighbors.

Basically, the kinds of structures we force ourselves to live in are not very sensible at all ... they are prescribed based almost entirely on traditions, the origins of which have long ago been obscured -- and which origins re-examined would be found ridiculous.

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by PacificFlights

I dont understand why people feel they SHOULD be allowed to build unpermitted when they come to Hawaii? The rules are to have a permit and coming into someone elses place of living and deciding you don;t want top play by the rules is down right unneighborly.

Absolutely!

They don't do it in the their current neighborhoods - why do they think it is OK to do so here?

[Flame Angel]

Originally Posted by nullgeo

While I appreciate the spirit of what you say -- and in which you say it -- there are actually a hell of a lot of really great reasons why the limitations of the building codes and zoning regulations are unfair ... downright insane, in some ways. There are many ways to build many alternate kinds of living spaces that are far more sensible, more environmentally sound, and less expensive and complex that what prescriptive codes demand. America is a free country in theory only.

I do not advocate for "anything goes". I do advocate for creative and alternative lifestyle consideration by government. And no, by "alternative lifestyle" consideration, I do not mean it should be okay to endanger or offend one's neighbors.

Basically, the kinds of structures we force ourselves to live in are not very sensible at all ... they are prescribed based almost entirely on traditions, the origins of which have long ago been obscured -- and which origins re-examined would be found ridiculous.

You are entitled to your opinion, of course, but I think the vast majority of people appreciate the sanity, orderliness etc., that such laws bring to a community. Most people neither want to live in, or have their neighborhood deteriorated by non-standard structures such as geodesic domes. They are a novelty, but not a solution.

Do you have any examples of how our contemporary housing is "not very sensible" or "ridiculous"?

[whtviper1]

I think it is irresponsible for anyone to suggest people should knowingly break the law and do things are illegal - it is the path to least resitance to suggest breaking the law when you don't have to suffer the potential consequences.

Get the permits. Build to code. If you can't afford to do it the right way - then one needs to rethink why they are in Hawaii.

And if you disagree with the laws and building codes in place - then talk to your representative - do a petition - elect representatives that are more aligned with your thinking.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Nullgeo, if you don't like the laws in Hawaii, then go somewhere that has laws that let you do what you want to do. Otherwise, if you are living in Hawaii, then it is your responsibility to abide by the laws in Hawaii.

You complain about the fact that structures are built a certain way based on "ridiculous traditions", but that is the way of life in Hawaii. Honoring the traditions of the past is a big part of many facets of everyday living. That's something that so many people who want to move here don't understand. It's one reason that living in Hawaii is WAY different than just about any other state.

By your way of thinking, if you don't like the speed limit on a certain road -- it's not sensible -- then you can go whatever speed you think would be ok?

[hotzcatz]

Overall, the building codes aren't as restrictive as many folks think. There are some restrictions in them, though, that I wouldn't mind seeing done differently and you can always apply for a variance if there is something in the code which doesn't agree with you. That, of course, isn't the least expensive option, but if expense was your only concern at this point in time you'd be buying an already built structure since it's cheaper.

What I find more restrictive and extremely foolish are the ZONING codes. True, nobody wants a pig farm next to a lot of houses or a school, but the zoning codes don't allow for a walkable village. They zone big tracts of land as all one type of zone and don't allow for houses, shops, small farms and other mixed uses within easy walking distance. What with the price of transportation these days, wouldn' it be nice to have a viable corner store again? Small mainstreets with sidewalks, shops and parks within walking distance of houses? The only true walkable towns we have were laid out before they zoned things.

Which is an un-noticed expense when living in those un-permitted cabins off in the back of nowhere. It is really expensive to drive to town to get supplies. What you may initially save in buying or building something off away from everything will nibble at you forever after with fuel expenses to get supplies and face time with friends.

[terracore]

Originally Posted by PacificFlights

I dont understand why people feel they SHOULD be allowed to build unpermitted when they come to Hawaii? The rules are to have a permit and coming into someone elses place of living and deciding you don;t want top play by the rules is down right unneighborly.

Probably because like somebody already pointed out, there are over a thousand unpermitted homes in Puna. If you like gambling, you move to Vegas. That's where the gambling is. If you like unpermitted structures, you move to Puna. That's where the unpermitted homes are. I don't agree with this line of thinking, but I understand it. It especially doesn't make any sense right now, since you can buy a fully permitted home on acreage for less money than you could buy just the building supplies for an unpermitted home.

[ponopony]

PacificF & FLAME, really?? This isn't Maui. HALF OF THE BIG ISLAND has something unpermitted! --Anything over 6 feet? No permit? It's illegal. --Get real. (I'm sure you're the perfect neighbors & stewards of the land... /sarcasm)

To the rest of you, MAHALO for your good suggestions!!

[hotzcatz]

Also, "pono" is doing what's right and if you are planning on building an unpermitted structure, then you'll probably need a new username. Kalohepony perhaps.