pole buildings/ code enforcement

[jacobgiles]

i have been trying to get a permit to start building my pole barn. the local code enforcement are not in favor of pole construction. they say all studs need to be on a 16" center, etc. i got some pretty good plans from 84 lumber and now they are saying that its still a no go unless i get a engineer to write them a letter stating that the building will be safe. is this normal? has anyone else had problems similar?

 

[Shadowdog500]

i have been trying to get a permit to start building my pole barn. the local code enforcement are not in favor of pole construction. they say all studs need to be on a 16" center, etc. i got some pretty good plans from 84 lumber and now they are saying that its still a no go unless i get a engineer to write them a letter stating that the building will be safe. is this normal? has anyone else had problems similar?

My township needed thorough engineering drawings for my Morton pole barn that had a raised seal form an Engineer. Each page of the drawings were about 20"X30" and there were about 10 pages in total. These drawings had a ton of detailed information on every part of the construction, including nail placement, wind loading, snow loading, etc, One page was a raised seal certification from the truss manufacturer to show it met spec.

I dont know if everyone wants this type of stuff, but I thought the package looked kind of cool.

Chris

 

[rodnok1]

Are they smoking crack??? Most places require engineer plans for trusses only. Tell them its a Barn not a house...I personally think they're bustin your chops. If you push them they'll give in or make them show you where they forbid pole building specifically. If a building is designed to support the required loads, what say do they have on what lumber sizes you use??

 

[jacobgiles]

i feel like they are giving me a hard time. i am going to try to talk to some of the other people in my area with pole buildings and see what they did to get a permit. a few of them appear to be new so maybe that will get me some good info.

 

[hetkind]

Oh, you are in the Memphis area...earthquake is a big issue there, with the Madrid fault.

I would go down and talk with the town engineer and see what type of construction is permissible and then find a company who will sell you a kit with stamped drawings that meets the requirements.

And remember, a pole barn doesn't even have studs, it has girts...

Howard

 

[jacobgiles]

And remember, a pole barn doesn't even have studs, it has girts...

Howard

i know- thats why i say feel like they are giving me a hard time. they are comparing 2 different types of construction.

 

[Ign]

My first shop was an old steel bldg we moved from one location to another. It had not been permitted when it was first erected in the early '80s, and I couldn't get engineered plans from the manufacturer. I had a local engineer draft a letter stating it was sufficient for snow load, wind load, etc requirements of today for my county. I don't think it cost me anymore than $150 or so.

I'd get the letter. Then your local bldg dept will have a very hard time arguing any other position.

 

[buddyboy]

take the phone number of your building dept and go back to 84 lumber and tell them you sure would like to buy their pole barn package but the building dept won't approve their plans.

they'll make all the calls for you if they want to sell you that package.

 

[jacobgiles]

i talked to a engineer today and she said she would take care of it for a reasonable fee.

 

[kwb]

Most building inspection departments are geared around residential construction when things aren't "engineered" so you can build a house with normal framing practices on your plans and get through without a set of stamped plans. Deviate from the norms and you will be sent out to have your plans stamped before the building department will approve. Truss plans are provided with trusses and stamped taking care of that part of the structure.

Pole building is not normal stick construction, not typical of residential settings so the building department does not have the same tables/charts to work from so to have a safe structure you get to have an expert spec out plans and put a nice little stamp on the plans.

Commercial construction is stamped period.

I are an engineer (with PE) but not right type to stamp my house plans so we had to pay to have our plans stamped because of a few minor abnormalities with the porch on our house.

 

[rancherbill]

A pole barn is a.... ummmm... a barn. It is for hay storage, feed storage, animals etc.

On you application, you probably put down a usage that fell into a higher classification - workshop. It is a higher standard.

 

[checkthisout]

Codes are getting more strict everywhere.

It doesn't matter what you are going to use it for, what matters is that it's not going to blow over or collapse during wind, an earthquake or a heavy snow.

The plans you are looking for can be had for about $400.00 bucks with an engineer stamp.

 

[Rickstir]

Get your local politician involved, that is what they are there for. Let him make a call.

 

[workerbh]

Post-frame construction can be engineered to meet most codes. The National Frame Builders Association advocates for consumers and builders when they run in to "Zone-Out" issues with post-frame. They have a high success rate. You or your builder can contact the NFBA at 800/557-6957 and they can outfit you with literature and advice on how to fight this. I'm with Walters Buildings and we've argued this point in front of various planning committees on behalf of our customers; a couple times with an NFBA representative to help argue the point. I have some documentation from the NFBA on how to fight this. You can email me at [email protected] if you'd like me to send them to you. Best of luck.

 

[jacobgiles]

Post-frame construction can be engineered to meet most codes. The National Frame Builders Association advocates for consumers and builders when they run in to "Zone-Out" issues with post-frame. They have a high success rate. You or your builder can contact the NFBA at 800/557-6957 and they can outfit you with literature and advice on how to fight this. I'm with Walters Buildings and we've argued this point in front of various planning committees on behalf of our customers; a couple times with an NFBA representative to help argue the point. I have some documentation from the NFBA on how to fight this. You can email me at [email protected] if you'd like me to send them to you. Best of luck.

thanks, i sent you a email.

 

[Brad1234]

Ask the inspector how you can get a copy the building codes. They should be available either on the net or for a small fee. I paid $5 for my township regulations.

 

[larry_g]

I bought a kit from a local pole building supplier. Part of the deal was that they would procure the permit and provide the engineered plans. It cost I think $500 for the plans and the permit. Well worth it to me as the permit alone was $480 and $20 for the engineering and footwork was well worth it. I had the approved permit in hand before I paid for t he building materials. This assures that your materials will meet code leaving the supplier on the hook if things do not work out with the building inspectors. This is what I think Buddyboy is also saying.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[haneyrm]

I would say somebody earlier hit the nail on the head. I live in middle Tennessee just a few miles south of Nashville. The deal around here is that if the building is going to be used for agricultural use, no matter the size, no permit is needed. As soon as you mention something like workshop or garage, you need a permit. The only time it's questioned is when somebody wants to build an agricultural building on 1 acre or something like that. For most in this area with Greenbelt exemptions, it is a non-issue and permits are just not required.

Mike

 

[6768rogues]

I am not familiar with Tennessee, but most codes have prescriptive means of construction or anything that is engineered to meet the same loads is ok.

 

[Snap50]

Requiring sealed drawings is not unreasonable. They are not only protecting you, but also the subsequent owners of the property.
If you are not a qualified pole building designer or contractor, why should they believe that you know how to build a safe building?
And how do you know that you are being sold a building that is appropriate for your building zone for wind, snow and seismic loads? Lumber yards are not run by the most qualified people ans be assured that if something goes wrong they won't be there to accept the liability exposure.

 

[timhoops]

When I went to build mine, they said I needed a engineer to review and stamp the plans. So I ask why and they told me up until not to long ago they didn't have set rules for pole barns. And I quote 'we pretty much inspected them like we would a deck. Until someones building fell down and we were in the middle of a law suit.'

 

[nolatoolguy]

ah man there gonna give you a hard time no matter what sometimes they just up the codes to make more moeny ide just get them pro drawn if you need to

thats why i love livin on a farm not many people come by to check up on you we keep to ourselves the sherif an all them keep to therselves