Build a cabin on a trailer??? (fit in, taxes, zoning)

[msina]

"Note to self" "get forest to build my tiny house when I'm able"

[Submariner]

Did I mention that I am building our new house?

I designed it, and other than the foundation contractor and hiring one guy with a crane for three hours; I have built it by myself so far.

[rico304]

Just found this add in a local swap/buy magazine.

""12 x 35 ft. Camper Cabin on Trailer Frame 2x4 Construction w/4x6 floor stringers, Foam insulation in floor and roof, R11 insulation in walls, Novelty pine siding, Interior pine walls. Complete turn key cabin w/4 ft porch full bathroom w/elec hot water heater, Rinnai gas heater, compact ref., dbl bed, futon, and kitchen table \ chairs Easy hook up to utilities. Ready to go Call. Asking $21,900,""

I will try to attach picture.

[msina]

Now that's cool! Put it on a foundation, hook up to water, electric and septic. Perfect for an old Ina

[Zymer]

I've seen some housing built from cargo containers as well.

[Cornerguy1]

""12 x 35 ft. Camper Cabin on Trailer Frame 2x4 Construction w/4x6 floor stringers, Foam insulation in floor and roof, R11 insulation in walls, Novelty pine siding, Interior pine walls. Complete turn key cabin w/4 ft porch full bathroom w/elec hot water heater, Rinnai gas heater, compact ref., dbl bed, futon, and kitchen table \ chairs Easy hook up to utilities. Ready to go Call. Asking $21,900,""

With the unit being 12 feet wide, are you going to be able to legally put a plate on it and tow it? If not, will the local building/zoning officials view the fact it needs a special permit to as a sign of permanence?

For $21 K you could certainly find a nice 35 ft. park model trailer with all the modern cons. Get one with slide out extensions and you'll have at least a 12 foot interior, but still be able to plate it with a normal trailer plate and move it with a pickup truck.

[rico304]

I checked trailers and I believe they were either 12 or 14 feet wide. You can easily get permit, you must mark it as wide load, have a follow vehicle just like the prefab homes you see going down the road. The 11 1/2 wide I spoke of is the generic width that most excavation companies have so they can move their large excavators. They are about 12 feet measurement from outside track to track.
I like the under 11 1/2 measurement because it doesn't have to get special permits. Like you said, much easier to move around and doesn't look permanent due to the "big deal" to get it there. I do like the trailers, but they are so expensive. (to get them in log siding) Over 40 grand, and the inside is wood paneling. I'm thinking if I sell the lot, this is just like a camp on stilts, just mobile. hahaha
I think that is a good deal to get a nicely built cabin on a lake. Land was less expensive due to setback restrictions. Camp is well built (stick built) and it is exactly the same as a camp on posts. I figure it is approx 1/4 the cost. Pretty much the only way I could ever get land on water at this point in life. hahaha (or any point in life hahahaha)

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by msina

Now that's cool! Put it on a foundation, hook up to water, electric and septic. Perfect for an old Ina

That is the issue.

Putting it on a foundation is not possible on many properties. Like on that property where the set-back is 100'. Here the set-back is often 250'.

Plus once it is set on a foundation, the effect on taxes is HUGE.

A small cabin can be made to be pretty, it can set on wheels, or skids, or pontoons. In each case, it be go where no permanent structure can legally go; and it will keep taxes much lower.

[rico304]

[quote=forest beekeeper;1743775]That is the issue.

Putting it on a foundation is not possible on many properties. Like on that property where the set-back is 100'. Here the set-back is often 250'.

Plus once it is set on a foundation, the effect on taxes is HUGE.

A small cabin can be made to be pretty, it can set on wheels, or skids, or pontoons. In each case, it be go where no permanent structure can legally go; and it will keep taxes much lower.[/QUOTE

That is exactly the issue. I do think this is one way around it that satisfies all involved. There are many other good ideas here too, but this was my original thought. The lower taxes are another bonus. Good thought!

[Submariner]

Well around here, you could buy acreage of forest in 'treegrowth', drop a 'portable' cabin on it, and still keep it all in treegrowth.