Rulebook for Enclosing Space under Home?

[jpbdds]

Am considering purchase of a post and pier home but would like to utilize some space underneath it for a small in-law suite in the near future. Another option is perhaps to convert part of a covered workshop (with office) that already has permitted sink and electric. Looking for some info on what the county may allow. Hard to find online. Want to have a better idea should I make an offer. Any recommended sources online or some expert advice? Mahalo.

[punaticbychoice]

If Bill 160 passes, it may be worthwhile asking the County,
otherwise, just assume anything you want to do is just likely to be
made into a polynesian paralysis F/U. As for Government in Hawaii,
just assume the worst, miracles do randomly happen.
The questions you ask, overload the average County bureaucrat though.
Hate to sound negative, but, experience, you know, usually.
Have had a couple of miracles over the years though.
Maybe they'll just ignore you since they are so overworked.

[Seeb]

Last I knew, you can have up to 5 detached / attached bedrooms as long as there is only one kitchen

[Rob Tucker]

jpbdds,

Your existing office with sink would be the most effortless to make use of. I don't think and "office" is legally any different than a "bedroom".

Converting/building the space under the house will require a permit. That will require an architect and engineer and a permitting process that would likely take several months.

[kalakoa]

don't think and "office" is legally any different than a "bedroom"

A "bedroom" must include a "closet", otherwise it cannot be called a "bedroom"; without a closet, it becomes an "office" or "bonus room" or perhaps "den".

Converting/building the space under the house will require a permit.

Most likely, County will require that you "upgrade" the existing construction to "meet current codes": pour some concrete, build some shear walls, maybe even replace an existing cesspool with septic (if you do something to irritate them).

[Carey]

I am not sure asking the county building dept. will get you anywhere... I asked if we could attach a permanent counter, in our dining room, adjacent (no barrier... the other side of the frig) of the kitchen & if we could, would we need the kitchen required power outlets of a kitchen counter...

The answer I got was: submit an engineering drawing, with stamped plans for them to look at....
Ummm .... I really wanted a y/n BEFORE I paid for the drawings!
So no permanent counter, just a long shelf... & did not need to involve building for that!

[Chunkster]

" . . . maybe even replace an existing cesspool with septic (if you do something to irritate them)."

I was told I would have to do this if I converted my current garage to living space and added a carport to replace the garage.

[kalakoa]

Yes -- there are (poorly-defined) "thresholds" (by dollars, square footage, phase of the moon, severity of hangover, etc) which trigger "retrofit" (septic conversion, concrete footings, shear walls, extra power outlets, etc).

...and people wonder why so many homes go unpermitted.

[Hunt Stoddard]

Exactly. They should adopt a realistic attitude. Particularly if it's under an existing roof (not something they can see on Google Earth), if people get a resounding NO they don't just give up their dreams. They just go and do it, perhaps sub-optimally and without the benefit of inspection.

[Hunt Stoddard]

I mean, anyone with reasonable competence can build something residentially that won't fall down. Let's face it, people have been doing it for thousands of years. And suppose you overload a cesspool and it fails. Big Deal. Then dig it out and install a septic system.

Office building, skyscrapers, bridges, yes, add all the red tape you need to make them safe. Houses, meh.