Land (money, business, hot water)

[Submariner]

What I bought has 1/4 mile of frontage on paved road with power / phone / DSL at the pavement.

When I was dealing with realtors I was sent out driving long distances looking at properties down 10 miles of dirt roads with no power in sight. But when I finally stopped dealing with realtors, I began looking at properties that were not so remote.

P.S. A DM is on it's way

[ILUVMAINE]

Thanks, I got the DM and will act on it this weekend. You stay warm in the most wonderful place on earth!

[AliceT]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

It isn't just hunting camps. Any permanent structure requires a permit. That includes barns, wood sheds, garages and yes, hunting camps.

According to LURC, a permit is required for a portable garage, too. Although it needs and usually has no foundation, owners rarely move it from location to location. The homeowners usually have one place in mind for it and it stays right there. As far as LURC is concerned, it's a permanent structure.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

According to the Maine DEP a picnic table is a permanent structure.

[AliceT]

So, if you are in the state of Maine, don't sit in one place too long or you might be declared a permanent structure.

[Submariner]

What I have been told by LURC and seen done by my neighbors, verses what I hear here now are in conflict.

[AliceT]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

What I have been told by LURC and seen done by my neighbors, verses what I hear here now are in conflict.

And this surprises you?

I'd like to introduce myself. I'm AliceT. I am forever making the same mistake over and over and over. In an effort to be on the up and up in everything I do, I ASK if (anything I want to do, build or have) is allowed.

Likely your neighbors did not ASK before they bought and erected their portable garage or fence or put their prefab camp in place. I called a couple portable garge places and asked if I needed a permit to get one. They said no, it's not a permanent structure. But since they were trying to sell a product, I took that with a grain of salt and then asked LURC. The nice man at LURC was just as decisive in saying I did, indeed need a permit and it most certainly IS a permanent structure. An outhouse is also a permanent structure.

I know there are a bunch of people taking the chance that nobody will know. Those are people who have not had to deal with Murphy hanging out with them. You know, Murphy's Law always occurs at the worst possible time and place. I do know that if you add something and THEN are found out, the fine for not having a permit and the hassle that will ensue is far worse than doing it the right way from the start.

So yeah, I ask and ask and ask. Can't somebody shut me up?

Wanna know what else I asked? I need permit before I build a chicken coop (regardless of size) or an aviary. I think the chicken tractor might be the only exception because by it's very design, never stays in any one place for long and is portable.

With your wife's permission, I'll let you go with me the next time I go to LURC. I'd love to see if the story changes when I have a man with me.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by AliceT

With your wife's permission, I'll let you go with me the next time I go to LURC. I'd love to see if the story changes when I have a man with me.

I would too.. I hope you report!

I have found that often it makes a difference even if the guy doesn't know the first thing about the subject at hand and never opens his mouth. I have an entire exchanges (in other states) where the official addressed the guy the whole time and I answered the whole time and I left shaking my head.

I also find that having a well-thought out LIST and a clipboard with you, wearing "work clothes" when dealing with building officials or contractors (not a dress, no matter how casual) and being able to speak and understand the lingo helps.

I have been in an arena where I am not an expert today -- doing legwork to help my friend K find a vehicle -- and I have had a far different reception from the sales guys today as I walked around the lot with my clipboard and computer-printed notes.. when I was able to look back and tell them definitively that this vehicle has X cu ft of cargo room and that one has Y... than when I was not armed with facts and figures.

I also found that when I approached building inspectors with a proposed plan -- with drawings -- in Wisconsin, where I was wanting to build a "non-complying structure" AKA a passive solar greenhouse that would help heat my 100 YO home, and asked "is this possible? and if not, what is..." that they were quite willing to discuss options with me.

So I guess my conclusion is " have a token guy" <g> or be able to communicate like one... briefly, with facts and figures. (no offense to the gentle, sensitive guys on the forum, of course.. )

[moughie]

Originally Posted by AliceT

And this surprises you?

I'd like to introduce myself. I'm AliceT. I am forever making the same mistake over and over and over. In an effort to be on the up and up in everything I do, I ASK if (anything I want to do, build or have) is allowed.
So yeah, I ask and ask and ask. Can't somebody shut me up?.

You are a character- in the good sense

I personally appreciate and value honesty in everything I do and all I interact with. So, I will never attempt to shut you up!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by AliceT

... I'll let you go with me the next time I go to LURC. I'd love to see if the story changes when I have a man with me.

I would gladly be your 'beard' [both metaphorically and physically].

On one hand it does bother me that anyone should be treated differently due to their gender;

and yet once a few years ago I was in Egypt on a tour. Among our tour group we noticed that a female on her own was having extreme difficulty when negotiating with vendors. So each time that we went near a street market, the single females in the group had an arrangement with me. If they called out my name, I would then 'act' like their husband. They could come up me, whisper in my ear and I would shake my head 'no'. This would allow 'us' to begin walking away from the vendor's stall, while the vendor would commonly call out lower and lower prices. Until ...

So while it does bother me that our culture is this way, I also recognize that such is the case and we must function within it.

As for my DW's 'permission', I am the head of our household, and I have my wife's permission to say so. She has loaned me out previously, to perform husband duties for other ladies. I doubt that she would have any objections regarding me performing husband-like duties for you.