I am relocating from eastern wa to western wa some were in pierce county. So what I want to do is build a shop and park my RV in the shop until I build a house. Sp my questions are will pierce county let me live on my shop? What permits do I need for a pole barn or a stick built shop? This will be raw land or land with utilitys. Going from eastern wa were snow load for the roof is 50-60lbs. Can I build a pole barn with poles 14' on center any help would be great in eastern wa permits aren't to strrick but I know pierce county county things are different. Ikniw nothing about permits over there at this point
Pierce county wa permits
- Thread starter 85ray
- Start date
Ray-CA
Well-known member
I sure wouldn't tell the permit dept that you were planning on living in the rv that you will be parking under the pole barn. It's only for "storage."
Ray
Ray
Toomanytools?
Well-known member
Don't know what part of E Wa you are from but codes are pretty much the same. Pacific NW has a few more required that are wet weather related. Anyway get a plan for a shop with power and I'm guessing plumbing to it, if it's on city sewer or septic. You don't need to say your living there just building a shop with plumbing and power.
bazzateer
Well-known member
Your questions are probably better answered by contacting Pierce County itself? I'd agree with the comment about not saying you want to live in the workshop though. you're building the workshop to make the house construction easier.
darkk
Well-known member
NEVER! under any circumstances do you offer any details not specifically asked of you. And then, only give the bare minimum to get by with...
rburke65
Well-known member
Rule #1.......NEVER, ever tell on yourself!
Steevo
Well-known member
Check with the building department about temporary use of trailer/RV for living while building. In many areas it is allowed for a limited amount of time. Place your RV hookups so that they are on the outside wall of the storage barn/shop, and can be accessed from inside.
That way, you can have the building inspected, have the RV outside until they sign it off, then move the RV inside while you work on the house.
That way, you can have the building inspected, have the RV outside until they sign it off, then move the RV inside while you work on the house.
bczygan
Well-known member
Anonymously check the zoning of the property you are interested in. Most jurisdictions have zoning maps and books online. Look at the zoning rules to see what you can and can not do. In my part of the country you can NOT build an accessory building like a garage or shed without also having a main structure (House) either already there or built along with it. Many places allow temporary trailer housing on site during permit period.
Highbeam
Well-known member
I live in Pierce county and finished up a pole barn this year. I already have a house so this was a "storage building".
Poles on 12' center is what I used but it could have been whatever I wanted so long as the engineer signed off. See, the plans had to be engineered if the walls were over 10' tall.
Permits are very very expensive. I spent 1800$ for my 1800 SF pole barn. That did not include and critical areas permits since I was able to convince them that I had no wetlands.
I've spent the night in my RV in my pole barn. I did it for the AC when it was really hot in the house. There are issues such as fumes from the holding tanks and exhaust from burning LP. An RV in the pole barn can stink if your tanks aren't empty and clean.
They don't need to know what you'll be doing in the barn. Storage is the key word.
My snow load was only 25 psf but the wind load was horrible at 115 mph.
Poles on 12' center is what I used but it could have been whatever I wanted so long as the engineer signed off. See, the plans had to be engineered if the walls were over 10' tall.
Permits are very very expensive. I spent 1800$ for my 1800 SF pole barn. That did not include and critical areas permits since I was able to convince them that I had no wetlands.
I've spent the night in my RV in my pole barn. I did it for the AC when it was really hot in the house. There are issues such as fumes from the holding tanks and exhaust from burning LP. An RV in the pole barn can stink if your tanks aren't empty and clean.
They don't need to know what you'll be doing in the barn. Storage is the key word.
My snow load was only 25 psf but the wind load was horrible at 115 mph.
nonhog
Well-known member
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/pals/palshome.htm
Good luck!
Varies from place to place within the county. I think they get to asking questions when you add plumbing.
Your as built will tell you how many bedrooms the lot is approved for.
That is if its septic.
Get use to being on hold, fumbling through the online info, and waiting in line.
Again GOOD LUCK!
Good luck!
Varies from place to place within the county. I think they get to asking questions when you add plumbing.
Your as built will tell you how many bedrooms the lot is approved for.
That is if its septic.
Get use to being on hold, fumbling through the online info, and waiting in line.
Again GOOD LUCK!
Highbeam
Well-known member
I really didn't have all that bad of an experience with customer service. I showed up to the counter and they didn't jerk me around much. The worst part was the cost and the waiting. I was chomping at the bit to get building.
The trick is zoning - if it is a residential zoning you are going to have to build a "house"
You can do the shop and house on one permit where the shop gets built first but reading your note you sound like you are on a 5yr plan not 2yrs that is typically allowed for a permit and extension.
Cost and timing were a PITA for me in King County but rules/codes are basically the same. Snow load is similar except for if you are at east end of county and into higher elevations then you can see 100psf roof requirements.
It is far easier to find a shitbox house, add a shop and then "remodel" the house it than it is to start from scratch in many cases. Just remember Location Location Location - the rest you can change.
You can do the shop and house on one permit where the shop gets built first but reading your note you sound like you are on a 5yr plan not 2yrs that is typically allowed for a permit and extension.
Cost and timing were a PITA for me in King County but rules/codes are basically the same. Snow load is similar except for if you are at east end of county and into higher elevations then you can see 100psf roof requirements.
It is far easier to find a shitbox house, add a shop and then "remodel" the house it than it is to start from scratch in many cases. Just remember Location Location Location - the rest you can change.
jabberwoki
Well-known member
Stay in eastern WA Peirce county are pricks and the weather sux!
rockchucker
Well-known member
LOL! ^ They are the worst!
I would be more worried about what your neighbors are going to do about you living in your RV in your Barn. I swear some of the **** rules around here. I can't even have more than 1 ladder and it has to be locked up when not in use. No more than 3 cars on my property, can't even open your hood of ANY car on the street. Of course these are just the rules but if your neighbor complains they will come. They don't want to either, but they will come. Of course this is in King and in town so it does not apply...
Good luck with your endeavor! I wish you all the best. Get away with all you can!
I would be more worried about what your neighbors are going to do about you living in your RV in your Barn. I swear some of the **** rules around here. I can't even have more than 1 ladder and it has to be locked up when not in use. No more than 3 cars on my property, can't even open your hood of ANY car on the street. Of course these are just the rules but if your neighbor complains they will come. They don't want to either, but they will come. Of course this is in King and in town so it does not apply...
Good luck with your endeavor! I wish you all the best. Get away with all you can!