09-30-2012, 04:45 AM
Yes, a friend of mine went that route, which is why I know that you can have a toilet, shower, and sink. He can come back later and build a regular house.
The code I was looking at at the time called out a minimum of 220 sf for the main living area in an efficiency dwelling. Cooking facilities and a bathroom were also required. They had no minimum sf requirements but there are minimum clearances in front of fixtures so they do take up some room. It is like a puzzle to fit in the minimum sf room, kitchen, and bathroom in the least space. I decided I couldn't do it in a 40' container and have any useful storage space left over so I gave up on permitting the container as a dwelling. I could have moved all the lawnmowers and chainsaws out but that would have meant building something to secure them. No way I can build something more secure than the container, and no way I can build the container to be as comfortable as a small cabin designed for habitation, so I finally came to my senses. The container will be for storage although it will have a few amenities.
The code I was looking at at the time called out a minimum of 220 sf for the main living area in an efficiency dwelling. Cooking facilities and a bathroom were also required. They had no minimum sf requirements but there are minimum clearances in front of fixtures so they do take up some room. It is like a puzzle to fit in the minimum sf room, kitchen, and bathroom in the least space. I decided I couldn't do it in a 40' container and have any useful storage space left over so I gave up on permitting the container as a dwelling. I could have moved all the lawnmowers and chainsaws out but that would have meant building something to secure them. No way I can build something more secure than the container, and no way I can build the container to be as comfortable as a small cabin designed for habitation, so I finally came to my senses. The container will be for storage although it will have a few amenities.