temporary and permanent structures

[TheBlueDhalia]

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluesboy

I have a large lot i recently purchased ( > 10 acres). I will be putting up a temporary structure - a deck, canvas tent, outhouse, solar, etc - to live in for a few years to allow myself time to plan out a permanent living structure, landscape the area and get a construction loan.

Will there be any issues with this temporary structure being around while going through the permitting process for my eventual home? I've been told that i should build the temp structure in a part of the lot that won't be visible from the inspectors when the permanent house is going up. I don't understand how a completely separate structure on your land could have any impact on a permanent dwelling.

---

My dad has a nice shipping container for sale $2,500 you haul! It's a good idea to have one here! Call me if you want to know more. 253-985-5404 Dhalia

[YurtGirl]

Gramps, it's the highest point. If there is a depression in the middle, I doubt they'd consider the bottom of that depression as a starting point, but on the corners and edges, the largest height is what has to comply. Anything under 6' according to the old code, did not need permits. I was always told by our draftsmen and architect to recommend that people do that at half the height, so 36" or less. 24" or less leaves even less potential for them to break out their tape measures.

New codes are still pending for residential. But we do know there's the accessory structure clause now that allows for an unpermitted structure as long as it's under 12' high and, I believe it's less than 600sf. BUT, you have to have an existing, permitted residence on the property for that to be an option. I'm surprised they let that through. Very surprised. But glad!

As for composting toilets being allowed, I want to see some evidence of that. As far as I've seen they are NOT ALLOWED. At all.

When in doubt, just give an anonymous call to the building department. Kona building department answers, in person, almost every time. Plans are routed faster and with way less hassle over there as well. I don't know what Hilo's building department issues are, but they are not NEARLY as together or efficient as the Kona side. You can route plans for Hilo side through on that side. That's a good little tip.

[OpenD]

quote:

---

Originally posted by YurtGirl

As for composting toilets being allowed, I want to see some evidence of that. As far as I've seen they are NOT ALLOWED. At all.

---

When I talked to the Hilo office about this 2 years ago, for a Puna project I later backed off on, they told me they were approving manufactured (not homemade) composting toilets, and in fact recommended them over cesspools because of groundwater issues.

[OpenD]

I almost forgot... the State of Hawai'i has installed hundreds of composting toilets all over the state, in parks and campgrounds and beaches, and they've also sponsored and endorsed various ecological displays and educational programs featuring composting toilets. The Hawai'i County Council hosted a half-hour presentation about composting toilets two years ago, so they're on the page too.

So while it may be a little disconcerting that there's no government web-page you can link to yet that explicitly says "Composting Toilets Are Permitted," they are actually being legally installed and used, yes.

[YurtGirl]

OpenD, thanks for the tip, I called about it and got the scoop, check out the composting toilet thread in the main "general" forum. Aloha!

[bluesboy]

thanks for keeping this thread alive i'm getting closer to getting my place started, and will keep you 'posted'. please feel free to comment applicable info in this thread.

[kiarajeckson]

You are planing for building a temporary structure..But before doing this you should contact with a local government about the permission for temporary living at that place..Because it is not allowed to live without obtaining the permit by the government..
______________________
Sheet Metal Roofing

[kalakoa]

Not to pick nits, but my reading of the code implies that the key to "habitation" is "wastewater disposal" (and possibly "connection to fresh water system", if one is actually available at the site).

So if your structure is placed within all the required setbacks, and it's built to code, and you have an outhouse with a composting toilet of a type County is known to like, future "forgiveness" should be relatively cheap and easy. Keep everything "visually appealing", and the neigbors (if any can even see you) are less likely to complain.

I've seen some projects that are just so beautiful that everyone assumes they're fully permitted; nobody has complained in the years since they were built. (Then again, I've also seen some dogpatch that makes me wonder "how are they still getting away with that?" -- it definitely varies by subdivision and proximity to the pavement.)

[bluesboy]

i tend to be the type of person that makes things look good. i've driven by houses that look like a junkyard and wonder to myself "how can people live like that?"

[YurtGirl]

I wouldn't contact the county to ask permission for anything temporary. You're just asking for issues, they can't condone an easy temporary situation, it goes against their very nature. Kalakoa has it right, build to code. Permit now or design and plan so that you can permit later. The issue in permitting later is that the codes can change in the meantime and it may take a lot to bring it up to standard 5 - 10 years down the line.