5 ms·

I am planning on building what is essentially a tiny house for my shoffice. Basically I want something that also includes a bed and a shower/bathroom. My bigges

I am planning on building what is essentially a tiny house for my shoffice. Basically I want something that also includes a bed and a shower/bathroom. My biggest concern is whether I will need to pull permits for this project and/or if I need a foundation or if I can get away with a gravel pad + railroad ties as the base. Tying into house plumbing and power is going to be the trick I guess.

jefftk 5y ago
I think it's very likely that the OP was supposed to pull a permit and get zoning permission, but if you are going to be including plumbing and sleeping, you almost certainly need to.
2ICofafireteam 5y ago
Some bylaw research is always in order because it can get sticky. Where I happen to be, I can build what I like without a permit as long as it's under 100 sq ft, doesn't tie in to plumbing or electrical, isn't in lot setback areas, and it doesn't push the lot coverage over the limit but if I were to park a trailer on the property for any other reason than to store it, I'm in trouble. Never assume. I knew someone in the situation of being on a road that was a zone boundary. Research revealed they couldn't do what they wanted just because the guy across the street was doing it too. Another angle to look into: Have you considered just buying a travel trailer or pre-built shed to use as an office? More than once I have personally fallen into the trap of spending $100 in materials and $1000 of my time to avoid a $500 expense when my time would have been better spent getting back to work to pay for a bought solution.
- IgorPartola 5y ago
  I definitely am considering getting a camper as well. That seems like a more straightforward solution, just potentially a more expensive one in the long run. I’ll definitely do my research and see what I can come up with.
alistairSH 5y ago
At minimum, you should swing by (virtually these days, but in past years, you could go in person) your local building enforcement office. I suspect that as soon as you add electrical or plumbing, you need permits and inspections, as it’s no longer a shed.

jefftk 5y ago

I think it's very likely that the OP was supposed to pull a permit and get zoning permission, but if you are going to be including plumbing and sleeping, you almost certainly need to.

2ICofafireteam 5y ago

Some bylaw research is always in order because it can get sticky. Where I happen to be, I can build what I like without a permit as long as it's under 100 sq ft, doesn't tie in to plumbing or electrical, isn't in lot setback areas, and it doesn't push the lot coverage over the limit but if I were to park a trailer on the property for any other reason than to store it, I'm in trouble. Never assume. I knew someone in the situation of being on a road that was a zone boundary. Research revealed they couldn't do what they wanted just because the guy across the street was doing it too. Another angle to look into: Have you considered just buying a travel trailer or pre-built shed to use as an office? More than once I have personally fallen into the trap of spending $100 in materials and $1000 of my time to avoid a $500 expense when my time would have been better spent getting back to work to pay for a bought solution.

IgorPartola 5y ago
I definitely am considering getting a camper as well. That seems like a more straightforward solution, just potentially a more expensive one in the long run. I’ll definitely do my research and see what I can come up with.

alistairSH 5y ago

At minimum, you should swing by (virtually these days, but in past years, you could go in person) your local building enforcement office. I suspect that as soon as you add electrical or plumbing, you need permits and inspections, as it’s no longer a shed.