Frustrating

[Dave from MN]

Just returned from the Dept of development. I decided to build a 12x16 3 sided shed for the cattle, could always add on, and I have most materials on hand with the exception some steel sheets. Well, if it is bigger than 120sq ft, (10x12 or 8x15) I have to have a building permit! Fee $100, for a $300 structure. Fill out the paperwork, take the measurements, bring it back, they'll be out in 6-10 business days to inspect the site, then if approved I can come in , pay the fee, and get the permit. I CAN NOT even put the darn main post's in the ground to get a head start. What a flippin joke. So I think I am just gonna build (2) 10x12 stuctures, that are not connected. I dont know maybe just one for now. I dont have the time to wait for this whole process. Oh, I inquired what the fee would be if I was building a $500,000 home. $100.

 

[M Nut]

Dave,
Might want to check on what the fine is for not having a permit. I had a situation like that and the cost of the fine was less than the permit. Talked to the county comissioner, and was told to "build the d*** shed. Who cares?" Built the size shed I wanted, and never heard from anyone.

 

[NBAllen]

Even for a "farm building"? Ouch!

I thought most counties have an exception for many ag buildings - especially if no water / power is provided to the building.

Growing up, we had a pair of sheds that were eah free-standing lean-to's, but the roof line overlapped - might be a way to follow the letter-of-the-law, but still get the size you need.

Nathaniel

 

[rustyfarmall]

I think I would just lay low for awhile and be quiet. When you are ready, build it the way you want.

 

[neblinc]

Here in SE Nebraska, If you have over 20 acres, no permits are needed.

Randy

 

[Midwest redneck]

What happens if you dont get a permit? Do they send thugs to your house and break your legs?
In 2000 I built my garage, I had a permit for the garage and had the footing depth inspected, but no rough carpentry inspection, no electrical permit pulled no final electrical inspection. My attitude is simple----*uck them. (if it burns down the insurance company pays me not the bozos at the township)

I know how to do residential wiring and a garage framing job is simple, the city inspectors are mostly a parasite.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Build it on skids? That way you could scoot it wherever you want. Could even scoot it into a larger building and close the door if anyone got nosy.

 

[CJ3b_jeep]

I went through the same thing this summer, cost me almost $400 in permits and zoning hearings. I got the whole damn frame up for free! I'd build two o the small buildings side by side, when the smoke clears, I'd connect them.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If it burns down and you didn't have the electricals inspected the insurance WON'T pay. At least they have a valid reason not to if they so choose.

 

[John (C-IL)]

In Ford County, IL there isn't a requirement to have a building permit or inspection for ag structures. The only requirement is that you are 2 feet from the property line.

I agree about putting the structure on skids, then it is a temporary facility.

 

[amertrac]

in our area the permit covers safety inspections .if you do not get it inspected the town can make you tear it down and also pay a fine. when you sell your property after years with a dwelling on itthat was never inspected you can not sellit untill the aditional taxes that the building caused is paid for all the years. i built a 40x 30 garage permit cost 150
also added a small deck on back door 6x8 permit cost 150. bob w.

 

[djfarmer]

I have built a number of large structures on my property over the years got a permit once, never heard a thing. Last year I set some posts to put up a 63x40 pole building, had no intention of getting a permit. With just a few posts in the ground I got a letter stating that I was being fined for not getting a permit. I wanted to tell them that I was only putting up a really tall fence but I thought that they might not believe me and check up on me latter. So I went down to the court house to face the music. Turned out that the fine was that I had to pay double the cost to get the permit $150 instead of $75. Half expected they were going to lock me up. Not that I care all that much about $75, but I figure that I am still way ahead based on all of the permits that I forgot to get in the past.

 

[Midwest redneck]

Hmmm.....I see your point.

 

[rrlund]

Peoples Republic Of Minnesota? When I built my 20x50 across the road for the brood cows over there,I called the guy who issues permits here in the township. He said I didn't need a building permit for a farm building. He was the same jackas* that I backed up to his car with a pitch fork when he drove in here after I built my haybarn,saying that I didn't need a building permit,but I need a zoning permit. When I politely reminded him of that incident,he said "I don't know why you want a zoning permit for that". I said because I'm chairman of township board of review and you know as well as I do the assessor will have a fit if I don't get one. Pains in the as* can't even make up their mind. Course,could just be he didn't want a pitch fork to his throat again if he had to come back here.

 

[Anonymous-0]

No permit since they'll make it up in taxes.

 

[suptscottyb]

This is the best advice...as long as you didn't pi$$ anybody off in the building dept and aren't fighting with a close neighbor..no one will care. The rules just don't apply sometimes. Just my 2 cents from 35 years dealing with county and city building depts...Scottyb

 

[kyplowboy]

This is why I have always said I am glad my county does not have any zone"n laws. My family has built several barns, sheds, shops, and moved in a few mobile homes with out apply"n for nothing. All these city dwellers move to the sticks and start yell"n we don"t want (fill in the blank) in my back yard. Next thing you know every one has to do paper work to put a new pink flimingo in the front yard. Just remember it"s for the better good!!!!!!

 

[paul]

In my county in MN, skids don't help. It's square feet. Double the permit $$$ when you get caught without, and tax inspector visits every 3 years to inspect buildings.

--->Paul

 

[Walt Davies]

Check this one out, in Oregon you don't need a permit to build a barn. But my county just couldn't let that get by so they came up with a permit that shows that you don't need a permit.
Just wait till I build a barn I'll sure let them take that one to court after I built my barn and explain there system to the judge.

got to be just like that tie at the Dallas city council meeting.
They had 3 people running for an office the vote was 4 for 1 2 for 1 and 2 for the other. They called it a tie. 4 to 4 Must be some of that new math.

Walt

 

[Don-Wi]

What if you took a couple 8x16' forage box's, cut the floors off 'em and maybe put a couple posts in the ground to secure them to?

It sure ain't a building in my book, it's an old useless chopper box. We actually sold one to a gal who turned it into a horse shelter. We got it for free and were gonna fix it untill I saw just how bad it was. It was an old wood H&S, got it for free from a pipe yard who bought it for the running gear underneath.

We took the front off and got $50 for scrap (minus the PTO shaft and gear box) and another $50 for the wagon, and $10 gas money for dragging it out to them. All in all it was still a good investment.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[John S-B]

Time to get your congressman and state rep involved. There should not be any building permits needed for an ag building that is just for animal shelter.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Well, just a thought. I don't know how things work in MN, and to be honest I'm not sure on a lot of stuff in IL.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Here in my county in SE Nebraska - if you are building a dog house that is on a permanent foundation you need to get a "zoning permit". A couple of years ago, I built a 13x26 shed from salvaged materials. The BUILDING cost $18 to build, the PERMIT cost $25...... go figure.