HELP with my stupid Cities Building Codes! California

[Impala_Eddie]

Hello Gentlemen,

I live in Riverside, CA (yeah, we can't even own plastic bags or straws). Anyway, I wanted to have a shop put in my backyard. The city says I can have an accessory building that's no bigger than 750 Square feet.

I planned on getting a full metal building from United carports which was 25x35x12.

I went to the city today and they showed me this, "In the RR, RE and R-1 Zones, all metal accessory structures shall be limited to a maximum total floor area of 120 square feet; all other accessory structures shall be limited to a maximum floor area of 750 square feet."



So the building I wanted to put up was all metal and it's a no go. Anyway around this that you guys have dealt with? Is it possible to make a portion of it with wood siding?

I mean, I can play semantics all day and say that a one portion is wood, therefore its not "all metal". They basically said it couldn't be "all metal" , and asked if I could put wood siding, or stucco it. Now that defeats the purpose of having a metal building at a cheap price.

Thanks fellas!

Eddie

 

[Magnum440d100]

Riverside here too.

Are you city or county?

A friend of mine had a large all metal building built not too long ago (riverside city, but county).

But I suspect that it has to do with lot size. He is on almost an acre iirc.

I’m on a third acre and can build a 25x35x12 with no issue, as long as setbacks are maintained. I used to be county, annexed into city proper.

Riverside makes no sense sometimes.

 

[66Caprice]

Have you thought about having a carport built the size you want? Then panel it in with walls later on? This could help you get past the size limitations as well as spread out the cost of building.

 

[driftpin]

Get it in writing, before you spend any $ on design, about what they will approve. If a facade allows you to build then that seems like a useful way to proceed. May I suggest some-sort of brick? Perhaps a 'skirt' of brick would increase the eye-appeal, along with some landscaping beyond what is the minimum required.

 

[jbwilkins]

I doubt you'd win a '....it's not all metal..' discussion. Once you submit plans for permitting they'd reject them because it doesn't meet the zoning requirements......You only real option is to apply for a variance. If someone in your immediate area has a metal building on their property, you might have a chance, but it may be a long shot......

 

[MFortie]

Might be easier and cheaper in the long run to build a stick building...

BTW, San Diego County made me put fire sprinklers in my metal building. Go figure.

 

[Tinkerman66]

Move

 

[Ilikeike]

If you're not on some acreage but instead on a smaller R-1 residential lot, your neighbor has to have a big tin shed in his face. Now I know they can be real nice, but not everyone builds a nice one.

If you didn't have some rules some neighbor would stack Hi Cube cargo containers all over his yard. that would really help your property value.

Same with parking a RV or boat on the street, not everyone has a nice $800k Prevost
but many have a broke down Wini or bayliner.

 

[wagoncrazy]

I feel your pain Eddie. I just finished a new 1690 sq. ft "accessory garage" on my 1/2 acre lot in City of Santa Clarita. Took a year to get thru all the zoning, ordinance, fire dept requirements. They initially wanted nothing over 1000 sq. ft, and I had to tap dance with the Fire Dept rules to avoid sprinklers in it. Try to avoid that requirement, because it means a larger volume water meter, which carries higher monthly costs...and you have to start getting the system certified every so often, expensive...

Work with your Planning Dept at Bldg and Safety in Riverside to figure out what they WILL permit...

Some initial drawings are helpful so they can see what you have in mind. Not necessarily architect drawn, but clean sketches with measurements that show them the lot size, elevations, building footprint, proposed materials, etc.

Everythings a PITA to build here in CA these days.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Try attaching it to the house if possible. Some times just a breeze way will make it part of the house and sq ft will not apply. Just set backs. I know that’s not a metal building but a way to get a bigger shop.

 

[lakeroadster]

If you're not on some acreage but instead on a smaller R-1 residential lot, your neighbor has to have a big tin shed in his face. Now I know they can be real nice, but not everyone builds a nice one.

I agree with the premise of your post, but the problem is these types of zoning rules are narrow minded. The zoning should be based on the exterior design and appearance, not the fact that it is all metal.

Roof pitch, overhangs, colors, etc. are what make the building look like it belongs, the materials of construction have very little to do with it.

The guy could easily build a stick building that is just as industrial as a metal building....

That being said, if I were the OP... I'd follow Tinkerman66's advice, and move.

 

[joe_padavano]

Is the issue the fact that the building has metal siding? Just use wood siding. Problem solved. The issue for the city is not wanting to have an "industrial" looking building in a residential neighborhood.

 

[Jackfre]

How many people live within a 10 mile radius of Riverside? What is it, 10-12 million? Perhaps that is why these rules were put in place over time. Does it ****? Yes! Is it the way it is? Yes! Do a Hardi panel board and batten (it won't burn). It won't burn that way and will look more...neighborly?

 

[nadogail]

I am a fan of Hardi Plank, built a fence using it just about a year ago.

 

[LXCam]

Im baffled by this restriction. But knowing a bit more detail where you're at would really help. Here's a link that may help you better define your limitations. I started going thru it but ran out of time, maybe latter I can do that. Btw, I'm in woodcrest, howdy neighbor


http://rivcocob.org/agenda/2014/12_02_14_files/16-01.pdf

 

[Impala_Eddie]

Riverside here too.

Are you city or county?

A friend of mine had a large all metal building built not too long ago (riverside city, but county).

But I suspect that it has to do with lot size. He is on almost an acre iirc.

I’m on a third acre and can build a 25x35x12 with no issue, as long as setbacks are maintained. I used to be county, annexed into city proper.

Riverside makes no sense sometimes.

I'm in the city....My area is considered R1, I'm by UCR in the canyon crest area....its mostly residential. Yeah the county area is very accommodating with this stuff...

 

[Impala_Eddie]

Have you thought about having a carport built the size you want? Then panel it in with walls later on? This could help you get past the size limitations as well as spread out the cost of building.

I didn't even consider that, but thats a great idea to consider!

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

You had me at "California"!
There is no "straight-and-to-the-point" answer...

Perhaps things will be clearer when the state divides(?)

 

[Copymutt]

Due to our hobbies and interests it’s to our benefit to live rural.

Codes, politicians, neighbors, tax entities, water, sewer districts etc. can make life miserable. I’ve been threatened to have my well condemned if I didn’t hook up to the new central sewer. This came about because the county waived permits in the area. Now my well is endangered because of the central sewer is allowing huge subdivisions and the ground water is no longer being replenished as the subdivision are no longer irrigated farm land.
I had to sign a statement that my garage would never be a residence before final inspection was approved.

 

[Impala_Eddie]

Get it in writing, before you spend any $ on design, about what they will approve. If a facade allows you to build then that seems like a useful way to proceed. May I suggest some-sort of brick? Perhaps a 'skirt' of brick would increase the eye-appeal, along with some landscaping beyond what is the minimum required.

Thanks for your advice. I will definitely look at that and get it in writing, I saw this on another members posts...i think it would be something to ask and consider.

 

[Impala_Eddie]

If you're not on some acreage but instead on a smaller R-1 residential lot, your neighbor has to have a big tin shed in his face. Now I know they can be real nice, but not everyone builds a nice one.

If you didn't have some rules some neighbor would stack Hi Cube cargo containers all over his yard. that would really help your property value.

Same with parking a RV or boat on the street, not everyone has a nice $800k Prevost
but many have a broke down Wini or bayliner.

Totally understand. Im on a 1/4 acre residential lot with a lot of room. Theres no neighbors to one side of me. The side where the building will be my neighbor actually encouraged me to do it. I have RV parking there now. It would go on the upper right corner of the photo. (the RV in the photo is on my neighbors side. Thanks for your input. I do agree about the Hi cube cargo

 

[Impala_Eddie]

How many people live within a 10 mile radius of Riverside? What is it, 10-12 million? Perhaps that is why these rules were put in place over time. Does it ****? Yes! Is it the way it is? Yes! Do a Hardi panel board and batten (it won't burn). It won't burn that way and will look more...neighborly?

Not quite that many at all. LOL

Im baffled by this restriction. But knowing a bit more detail where you're at would really help. Here's a link that may help you better define your limitations. I started going thru it but ran out of time, maybe latter I can do that. Btw, I'm in woodcrest, howdy neighbor


http://rivcocob.org/agenda/2014/12_02_14_files/16-01.pdf

I'm actually in the City of Riverside, not the unincorporated portion unfortunately. Heres our code for accessory building.

https://library.municode.com/ca/riv...TIICOOR_TIT19ZO_ARTVIISPLAUSPR_CH19.440ACBUST

 

[Git]

This is from their website. Can't you do something like this now, and then later frame out the walls in wood with lap siding or something

I also saw this on their site, that looks pretty nice...

 

[ard]

Do they have the same restriction if the new 'buidling' is acutally an extension to the current home?

Property placement, perhaps a covered/enclosed walkway to connect....

Just thinking out of the box.

 

[Impala_Eddie]

This is from their website. Can't you do something like this now, and then later frame out the walls in wood with lap siding or something

I also saw this on their site, that looks pretty nice...

You’re a genius. That’s a great idea. I’m going to look into that.

 

[musgofasta]

I'm in Ontario CA - San Bernardino County.

Get in writing, or have them give you the city ordinance number, defining "All metal" .

Metal Frame carport as above, but wood/Hardi sided may be one option if Above ordinance allows.

If metal FRAME building over 120sq ft is prohibited, then limited options other than stick build with truss...

 

[Impala_Eddie]

Do they have the same restriction if the new 'buidling' is acutally an extension to the current home?

Property placement, perhaps a covered/enclosed walkway to connect....

Just thinking out of the box.

Good question. I’m not sure. I’m going to ask a few things when i see them again

 

[ZRX61]

They're concerned about a metal building while your neighbors place looks like a landfill with an RV?

 

[Impala_Eddie]

They're concerned about a metal building while your neighbors place looks like a landfill with an RV?

 

[LXCam]

Going back to the RV cover. It used to be you could do a three sides RV shed without any permits at all. But I'm certain they've tightened up the loop holes on this as it's been several years since I built mine. For me I gave the newness a couple years to fad off and then covered the front. Not exactly ideal, but

 

[MTY]

Faced with a similar situation in a different state, I did this. All metal building sitting on a split faced block stem wall. I ordered the building so that the doorways would extend 2 feet below the wall. I then built the split faced block wall, poured it with 7 sack grout, and set the building on it.

The usual method was to set a board within the forms, pour a concrete wall and have the tin wall end in the groove provided by the board on the outer edge of the wall. Instead I set the wall in 1.5", trimmed the interface between tin and block with decorative redwood to close the bottom of the tin.

I bought a wood front door from a recycle business and used it as the shop man door. I used a storm/screen door over that to match the one on the house. With a couple of bushes added, it looked nicer than a few of the neighbor's homes.

It was still a red iron building, but the split faced block and redwood got it past the taboo.

 

[red61cj5]

They're concerned about a metal building while your neighbors place looks like a landfill with an RV?

that's what I thought, too. No wonder his neighbor said go ahead.