Is an accessory structure required by NEC to have certain electrical features?

[larry4406]

I talked to the city building department today. They said that technically there is a six month limit on how long between any activity on a permit, but that can be waived by the city building official. He said that because the building is 100% finished on the exterior that he would waive the six month limit for me. He would rather see me finish the electrical before summer rather than remove the panel. He said I would need to remove the panel to get the final inspection now since I don't have a signed off electrical permit.

The six month limit on pauses on construction is more for the folks who build a shell with housewrap and then don't ever finish the project for years. There have been plenty of people who stop as soon as the roof is on and the housewrap installed. The sun and wind destroy the housewrap over time, and then rain/snow start to destroy the OSB sheathing. Neighbors start complaining because it is an eyesore, and it drags down property values.

Glad to hear that someone at the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has some compassion and was willing to work with you!

Get well! We want to see you working in this garage!

 

[billconner]

The sun and wind destroy the housewrap over time, and then rain/snow start to destroy the OSB sheathing.

ZipR. Around here many building with ZipR for years. Doesn't look good but not as bad as torn and flapping tyvek.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I talked to the city building department today. They said that technically there is a six month limit on how long between any activity on a permit, but that can be waived by the city building official. He said that because the building is 100% finished on the exterior that he would waive the six month limit for me. He would rather see me finish the electrical before summer rather than remove the panel. He said I would need to remove the panel to get the final inspection now since I don't have a signed off electrical permit.

The six month limit on pauses on construction is more for the folks who build a shell with housewrap and then don't ever finish the project for years. There have been plenty of people who stop as soon as the roof is on and the housewrap installed. The sun and wind destroy the housewrap over time, and then rain/snow start to destroy the OSB sheathing. Neighbors start complaining because it is an eyesore, and it drags down property values.

GREAT NEWS!
I have had projects go on for years and as long as there is some work being done and moving in a positive direction to finish we kept it going…….. Basically the job can’t stop for more than 6 months. I would tell the owner to call for an inspection every four months and we would document the "progress" with pictures for the file. I heard every excuse for not finishing from divorce, bankruptcy, sickness and death.
I would "push" the owner to finish the exterior and make the house/garage weatherproof to preserve the building materials and keep the neighborhood watch out of my office.
I have had a few large homes (35,000+ SF) go on for years and the work never stopped.

BTW! I had one POS contractor take out a permit to build a garage on his property and he used the permit as a "cover" to run a business (park his trucks and back hoe on the property) and NOT to mention he had 10 employees meet at the site every day. After 6 months of no starting the work plus arguing with me and the neighbors constantly complaining I "quietly" revoked his permit without a warning, fined him for false and misleading statements and then the zoning officer had his way with him and it did not work out well for the scammer.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

ZipR. Around here many building with ZipR for years. Doesn't look good but not as bad as torn and flapping tyvek.

TYVEK on the exterior cannot be left exposed longer than 4 months.……. Some folks think this is siding and blue tarps are roofing.

 

[PCustoms]

TYVEK on the exterior cannot be left exposed longer than 4 months.……. Some folks think this is siding and blue tarps are roofing.

I think ZIP is only rated for 6 months....

I wrote this having had tyvek over a section on the garage for several years, recently replaced with ZIP and only half sided...

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I think ZIP is only rated for 6 months....

.

TRUE!

 

[reader2580]

ZipR. Around here many building with ZipR for years. Doesn't look good but not as bad as torn and flapping tyvek.

The folks who start a build, and then don't complete it, are generally not going to spring for Zip sheathing.

My housewrap was exposed for nine or ten months, but it was properly installed and taped so it was still in fine condition when the siding was installed. I just plain ran out of time before Winter 2024 to install all of the siding. The remaining siding got installed in April of this year as we had a pretty mild winter. I had installed all of the panelized wainscoat siding on the bottom before winter so that also helped keep the housewrap on.

 

[billconner]

TYVEK on the exterior cannot be left exposed longer than 4 months.……. Some folks think this is siding and blue tarps are roofing.

I think you mean it's not recommended or the manufacturer doesn't warrant it after 4 months, but it certainly can be and is

 

[billconner]

The folks who start a build, and then don't complete it, are generally not going to spring for Zip sheathing.

May be true but lots of folk around here living in Zip green buildings. We moved here in 2019 and done Zip sided then still are. Huber should use it for research.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I think you mean it's not recommended or the manufacturer doesn't warrant it after 4 months, but it certainly can be and is

This is from the manufacturers installation instructions.

 

[billconner]

This is from the manufacturers installation instructions.

Yes, my point. I never questioned the recommended 4 month limit and agree it's a good recommendation and best practice. But because the manufacturer or the law says don't do it, it still can be done and it is done.