Building a RV / workshop garage in Ont. Canada

[RF_Burns]

I introduced myself last week in the Newby forum with the following:

Hi all.
My wife and I have a conditional offer on a home with 2.5 acres. Our only condition is the Township will allow us to construct a RV garage/ workshop with room also for lawn tractor & equipment etc. We looking at about 1500sq ft which means we will need a variance as it is over 100 sq metres.

I'll be going in Monday to the Building dept so see if I get a warm & fuzzy feeling on whether such a building will get approval. I don't want to sink thousands of $$ into surveys, plans etc if there is no way they will approve it.

We have a nice house now on 0.7 acres, but with 1700 ft of weeping tile and no room for driveway access to the back yard its a no-go here.

Wish me luck!

Just a followup:
The current owner was in construction and knew the Chief Building Official so we arranged to meet him and the Planner at his office. I showed him what and where I wanted to build. He checked for any restrictions on the property said it looked great to him. The Planner agreed and considered it to be minor and he would recommend the variance.

Our closing date is Nov.1 and I'd like to get it up before winter sets in so the Planner had me and the current owner sign a form that allows me to apply for the variance and permit before I own the property.

So with that warm and fuzzy feeling I signed off my conditions, things are coming together and we own a new home.

Now I just got to get our present home sold!

 

[38Chevy454]

Sounds like you are lucky the seller is freindly with the town officials. Good for you to get the variance approved.

Not sure of your winter conditions, but if you close on Nov 1, will that leave enough time to get the bldg foundation completed and concrete setting time? Once you have the slab and footing works completed, get it under roof and enclosed. You can do the rest inside work even if bad weather sets in.

 

[RF_Burns]

I don't have my variance approved yet, just a warm and fuzzy feeling from them that there is no reason why it should not be approved. It needs to goto Council to be approved, then the neighbours get 20 days to object. Since the closest neighbours are several hundred feet away and will not be able to see it for trees, I can't see them objecting.

My only worry now is, am I building it big enough (35'x 40ft deep)! I have a 26ft classic GMC motorhome and a small Kubota diesel with a loader, snow-blower etc to store, plus I want room for a workshop and washroom.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My only worry now is, am I building it big enough (35'x 40ft deep)! I have a 26ft classic GMC motorhome and a small Kubota diesel with a loader, snow-blower etc to store, plus I want room for a workshop and washroom.

I depends on how big you want the workshop to be !

Also, do you want room to work on you other vehicles ? If so, you'll have to move the tractor outside.

P.S. Pics of the motorhome ! I always thought those were so cool !

 

[Thorold]

Where in Ontario ( life-long resident speaking ).

 

[Sureshot]

I would go as big as you can and plan to add when placing plumbing, power, etc. Are you going stick or pole?
You can put plastic down to keep the frost out and extend the season pretty far. I had my pole addition put on just before Christmas and the concrete done in January. I put down plastic over the whole area and square straw bales on the perimeter. Of course once built I opened the wall from the heated section to keep things decent until the plumbing was roughed and the concrete placed.
Sounds like you will be building before unpacking. May just end up being planned for spring. Sometimes waiting and planning is better in the long run. I used my pole building for a year with dirt floors so I could do it right and glad I did.

 

[NitroShark]

Mine is 36X46 (15 foot ceiling) I have a 38 foot Motor Home. Be sure to get high lift doors.

Shawn

 

[RF_Burns]

we have one of these Classic GMC motorhomes.
http://gmcers.org

I don't have any pics of mine on this computer. Its under 10ft high, but I'm putting in a 12ft high door. The ceiling will be 14ft so no problems with lifting it up a bit or service.

 

[Sureshot]

I would rethink and go 14' door. Your next motorhome will be taller than 12'. Don't let this post haunt you. MUHAHAHAH