Need some space for a pole barn after move.. (Sarasota: house, neighborhoods)

[emillika]

We are looking at many areas but it’s clear we will in a more urban/water setting that is not conducive to my automotive hobby and projects. I am looking for an area to build a nice size pole barn within an hour of the southern Sarasota area on a half acre or larger. No house plan really. Must have electric, water and internet.

What area should I be looking at that isn’t over restrictive in zoning and building codes?

Thanks.

[loves2read]

North Port probably

[jean_ji]

Sarasota County changed requirements for outbuilding permits two years ago. They are much more restrictive in the unincorporated areas.

[AaronDavidSchultz]

Try another southern State.

[Sunshine Rules]

Not necessarily another state, perhaps just another part of Florida, there are more rural counties with less restrictions on out buildings.

[jean_ji]

I re-read your post. Sarasota County does not allow stand alone garages to be built on a lot. They can be built on a lot adjacent to a home owners property. You might look for a garage on a lot already built before the restrictions were put into place.

We got got caught up in the new restrictions when we built a stand alone garage. We ended up with a large shed/small garage and that required four inspections: site, drainage (we had to put on gutters for run off), termite and electrical. To build a larger size it had to match our home’s construction. That would be block/stucco like our house which was going to cost north of $70k three years ago. We settled on a metal build, but it had to look like our house in color. I had to submit photos showing our house height for the permit.

A garage/ outbuilding can no longer be taller than the house and no larger than 50% of the house square footage. There were some behemoth metal buildings that belonged more in an industrial park than residential neighborhoods that drove the change for restrictions.