Sheds & Permits

[tomsmith]

Hey,

In my municipality, you can have up to a 10x10 shed without requiring a permit. When you apply for a permit, it automatically kicks off a re-assessment of your house and property which = increased taxes.

Has anyone put 2 or more sheds on their property, maybe even next to each to make one larger shed? Would this be a loophole or would it qualify as one large shed, even though they are 3 separate buildings with a (albeit tiny) gap between them?

 

[Higgins]

Nice Try!

Some local municipalities only allow ONE outbuilding, so you can't do multiple sheds! Ask me how I know!!! - LOL

AL

 

[RCman]

If you are solely worried about the increase in taxes; wouldn't that not matter when they come around every few years to re-assess anyway and find the 3 sheds?

 

[malibu101]

Hey,

In my municipality, you can have up to a 10x10 shed without requiring a permit. When you apply for a permit, it automatically kicks off a re-assessment of your house and property which = increased taxes.

Has anyone put 2 or more sheds on their property, maybe even next to each to make one larger shed? Would this be a loophole or would it qualify as one large shed, even though they are 3 separate buildings with a (albeit tiny) gap between them?

Of course every municipalicty differs, but---
I built an 8X12 shed thsi summer with a permit from my borough. It is classified as an "accessory structure"
I needed to keep a 3' setback from building to property line and a 5' distance from any other building on property. I could have more than 1 (or any size) as long as the ratio of pervious to impervious ground did not exceed X.
A $40 permit and no inspection or tax reassesment. When I asked when I had to call him for inspections, the enigineering guy said he would only come out to look if somebody called to complain and as long as I followed the setback I would be fine.

So, where I live, the idea of connecting sheds probably would not work.

 

[PCO6]

Our Town has a 10'x10' by-law limit on sheds too but the real kicker was that if I wanted to go higher it had to have a set back 25' from any lot line. I filed an application for a variance and was able to build a 10'x16' shed with a 5' setback.

I had the space needed to comply with the setback requirement but I argued that if I had that much space behind my shed I would likely fill it with things my neighbour wouldn't want to look at. I won my argument and learned later that when the Town updated its Town wide by-law it dropped the 25' setback requirement.

Regarding the OP's problem, we didn't see any increase in our assessment.

 

[NHBandit]

Build it 10x10 3 stories high.

 

[KRB52]

Check with your local building officials. Some locations are so tax-happy that they'll tax a dog house.

 

[Kevin54]

In our area, we are allowed up to 200 sq.ft. before you have to start getting permits.

If you are worried about your taxes going up, your insurance will probably go up higher then your taxes. When I inquired about adding on to my garage, the Auditor told me that a 24'x24' addition would raise my taxes approx. $124/year.

A lot of times it's way cheaper to pay the small price than to try and beat the system and something happen, mainly insurance not paying out on certain losses because it was withheld from the Auditor or the Insurance company.

 

[mx842]

If you are solely worried about the increase in taxes; wouldn't that not matter when they come around every few years to re-assess anyway and find the 3 sheds?

Around here it don't take three years for them to catch you. I built a 32x40 with 10' sheds off to each side and the next year the tax man was banging on my door wanting to measure up my new building. They fly airplanes over the area and take pictures. Then they use computers to examine the prints to see what is there now that wasn't there before.

When the guy knocked on the door and asked about the building, I asked.....what building??? Then he pulled out this nice blown up picture of my property with my new building shining like a new penny and so clear I could clearly see the screws in the medal roofing.wned: He even had the estimated size of the building down to the exact foot.

He said that I could let him go measure it or they would put an estimated size on the tax assessment but he also added that I probably wouldn't like what they estimated it at because it will be more than twice what we have on this report. All I said then was if he needed any help holding the tape measure.

He declined but said that since I was so cool about it that he would not look too close. He just measured the main part of the building in the front and marked it up at 32x32 and left off the side sheds and the 20' X 20' foot part I had added since the plane flew over. I had told him it started out being just a 32x40 storage shed and I didn't think I needed a permit. He said that is partly true, then went on to say if it is an open building with no wiring, floor, plumbing, or finish work on the inside. I just said....OH! but when he walked by the big door and looked inside at the nice new cement floor, the fresh new plywood interior walls, the line of ceiling fans through the length of the building and the 5 big hi bay lights hanging out of the ceiling he just shook his head and walked on by. He marked it up at a new storage building with an estimated value at $20,000.00 to be added to my total assessment. Even though I had been busted I felt relieved cause it could have been a lot worst.

 

[cburnscrx]

Permit? What are those?

Built my deck and storage shed without one. Technically the deck didn't require a permit because it was less than three feet off the ground and not attached to the house. Now, I defy you to stick a screwdriver between the house and the deck frame, but it is 100% not attached to the house (I HATE ledger boards).

The shed I just built, and if they want a permit, I have the plans and the drawings for an after the fact scenario. But...and I am almost 100% certain on this, nobody else in my 500+ home community got a permit either.

 

[adam728]

Permit? What are those?

The thing I couldn't get an answer on when doing my shed. Small township, office is open like 3 hrs a day, 2 days a week. Called and emailed for about 6 weeks, no responses. Finally just built, 2 years and a tax assessment later, no problem.

I checked with the neighbors first. They seem puzzled I'd ask, since they have sevetal sheds, dog pen, pool, kick play structure, broken down pickups, etc in their yard. Response was "sure, who cares!"


Sent via morse code

 

[soapii]

In my area I'm limited to 200sft before I need a permit and the height can not exceed **' (I forgot). We are also limited to a total of 1.5% (in sft) of your lot size in total non-liveable area.........so this includes your attached garage, sheds etc. I already poured a 10x20 concrete pad for my shed which I hope to finish next year.

So to answer your question......it depends on the area you live. I can build as many structures as I want that are <200sft as long as the total sft does not exceed 1.5% of the lot size.

--Joe

 

[1/2 Cup]

Build it 10x10 3 stories high.

Tried that one, wont work here!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

IMO 3 10x10 sheds = 300 sq ft.
Wouldn't be an option if you needed a 15 x 20 ft garage or work shop.

Here as far as taxes you can go fairly large if it isn't a permanent structure (No foundation, slab or poles). I considered having a 32'x40' shed brought in on skids.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

One thing I saw done was to have the sheds side by side, on skids (so they qualify as non-permanent / portable structures with the facing interior walls open to create one larger space. The sheds didn't *touch* each other though, and had foam sheeting to act as a gasket between the two. A removable panel that sat on the floor bridged the gap.

Yes, you could readily move either one without any issue, but they happened to line up beside each other to create one larger space.

 

[Nowater]

At the time, I got a "I don't need a permit-permit" for a shed up to 150 S.F. and under $1000 cost. The other option was to have drawings etc. Rules have changed here, and I went over budget by buying nicer lumber. I built it to blend in with the house, and slightly lower. The neighbor lady thought it "Looks so cute." Mission accomplished.

That was almost 20 years ago, and it is still in good shape. All the plywood was back primed with paint to help control moisture, and the T1-11 siding had about five coats of paint on the exposed edges. I experimented with hurricane straps to see how they worked, and to help hold it together. I made crude trusses for the roof, and was up on that roof last weekend to clean it off. Still felt sturdy.

Storage would have been better if I had put the door in the long side of the 10 by 14 walls, but hindsight is always better.

 

[denis4x4]

I have a 105 year old Denver Rio Grand box car that showing the ravages of weather. I decided to build a cover over it and while I was at it, create storage for my 30' Avion trailer. Didn't bother with a permit and was busted big time. Because I'm in the flood plain I had to get an engineer to OK the structure after it was built for a $360 fee. The permit had penalties and cost another $168. Sometimes trying to outsmart the man costs more than it's worth.

 

[NHBandit]

Curious what the rules are for trailers where you are. A former boss of mine in NH had a body shop and also sold off the extra parts left over from rebuilding wrecks from 2-3 cars of similar make & model. Basically he was using the body shop license to run a small salvage yard as well as repairing cars. He had several old tractor trailer bodies on the property for storage and as long as they had wheels on them they didn't count as "buildings". Just a thought.

 

[ADSR]

Buy a shipping container.

 

[Zeke]

Build it 10x10 3 stories high.

There will be a height limit. Generally it's around 13' overall for a single story to eliminate the possibility of a 2nd story. And that makes me wonder why stock sheds are so low.

 

[ozyborn]

MY city has this **** policy "A storage shed, gazebo, or similar structure that is no more than 16 feet in overall height and no larger than 120 square feet may be constructed or placed up to, but not on or over, a side or rear property line. The shed must, however, be located at least 6 feet away from any other structure on the site. A permit is not required for sheds meeting these limitations. A large shed or detached garage may be constructed in the rear yard as long as it is at least 5 feet from the rear property line, at least 3 feet from the side property line, and at least 6 feet from any other structure on the site. Maximum height is 15 feet to the roof midpoint. The structure must also be no more than the coverage of the principal structure or 30% of the rear yard, whichever is less. "

15 years ago I poured a slab and built my 10x14 shed 2feet from my garage. Did not care what they thought. Never a peep. When they came out to inspect my garage they never said a word.

 

[smokem2020]

I wanted to move my house to a new foundation. Zoning guy said no permit was needed. So i moved trees and leveled land. Next year I stopped to ask if I needed permit, same answer, No, as long as you don't move it any closer to the road than your garage. I was going to just move it sideways about 17'. But then thought, OK, I'll square it up with my garage. So now I have my foundation finished, water, sewer, power all unhooked and the house 3' in the air. Up slides the neighbor saying "you cant do this". Funny, he has been driving past real slow for weeks rubber necking. A hour later the zoning guy stops, while the house is half way to the final resting place. He ask me to stop what I'm doing and come see him the next morning. long story short, I needed a permit plus a variance because a non conforming building, if moved, needs to be with in the new guide lines. After signs in the yard and add in the paper, along with members of the zoning board visit. Two weeks later I had my hearing. Won my variance, got my permit. The Zoning fella felt bad and paid for all my expenses including my permit. The neighbors still don't like me for some reason. go figure

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I have a 105 year old Denver Rio Grand box car that showing the ravages of weather.

You have a DRGW exterior brace narrow gauge boxcar? That's awesome! Do you have any photos? What is the car number? I'd love to see photos.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Stock roofs are low for the ease of transport on the back of a flatbed trailer or truck if premade to avoid height restrictions (14' typical for a semi, for example), and that a standard ladder will limit height access for a shed kit.

 

[01ss]

I wanted to move my house to a new foundation. Zoning guy said no permit was needed. So i moved trees and leveled land. Next year I stopped to ask if I needed permit, same answer, No, as long as you don't move it any closer to the road than your garage. I was going to just move it sideways about 17'. But then thought, OK, I'll square it up with my garage. So now I have my foundation finished, water, sewer, power all unhooked and the house 3' in the air. Up slides the neighbor saying "you cant do this". Funny, he has been driving past real slow for weeks rubber necking. A hour later the zoning guy stops, while the house is half way to the final resting place. He ask me to stop what I'm doing and come see him the next morning. long story short, I needed a permit plus a variance because a non conforming building, if moved, needs to be with in the new guide lines. After signs in the yard and add in the paper, along with members of the zoning board visit. Two weeks later I had my hearing. Won my variance, got my permit. The Zoning fella felt bad and paid for all my expenses including my permit. The neighbors still don't like me for some reason. go figure

Bad karma is gonna follow that neighbor around for a long time.

 

[Cyberbear]

I guess I was more trouble than it was worth when my new 30' x 80' shop was being built, and the building inspecter red tagged the job, because I didn't choose to take out a permit. I asked them to show me proof of their jurisdiction over me and my private property, but after being threatened with penalties and fines, the county code enforcement lawyers went silent, and would not reply to the legal questions contained in my certified letters. I invited them to take legal action if they could prove lawful jurisdiction, but the statute of limitations ran out before they acted. It often pays to do all your legal research before bucking city hall and it's not for the faint of heart.

 

[mikegt4]

My son wants to build a shed in his backyard for storage. His garage is the typical "2 car" garage of about 20'x20' so it's really a one car + lawn mower. In his city everything has to have a zoning permit and anything over 50 sq. ft. needs a building permit as well whether on skids or not.

The city checks everyone closely. His neighbors house is a tri-level where the lowest level is 1/2 below grade with the highest level on top of it but the floor is about 3' wider forming an overhang. He had a canoe hanging up under the overhang in the back of his house and the city spotted it in their observation photos (no boat storage allowed).

 

[Pluribus]

Where there's a will, there may be a loophole. To the OP, your questions will depend on your jurisdiction and who complains or notices. I'm assuming a shipping container would count as a shed, but if not, then there's an option.

If I was limited to that small of a building and I needed more, I'd look at buying some sort of car trailer or something else on wheels. You might even be able to pick up a job site trailer or RV trailer for cheap and convert it to a work space for cheap. Get creative! If you care, you could even side it to make it semi-attractive like a real shed. Are there any limitations to what you can park in your driveway/yard?

 

[BearCuda]

Permits are such BS. Is it our property or not? Obviously not.

 

[dbabicky]

Permits are such BS. Is it our property or not? Obviously not.

Yep, I totally agree with you. I own my property free and clear, house, garage, shed, chicken coop, 108 acres, ect.ect.ect. but if I was to refuse to pay my frickin' taxes for a few years in a row, the state of Wisconsin would now own my land. It's all BS. You never really, own your land!!

 

[Moose97]

Permits are such BS. Is it our property or not? Obviously not.

Permits are in place because of the close proximity of the individual properties. When you cram 4 to 8 houses (or more) per acre, what one person does has an immediate effect on the adjacent properties and their value. The easiest way to avoid most of this is to live in an un-incorporated part of a county or parish where generally building and zoning ordinances do not exist. Only setback is if your neighbor decides to start a junk collection you're stuck like chuck.

 

[Twiggss]

One thing I saw done was to have the sheds side by side, on skids (so they qualify as non-permanent / portable structures with the facing interior walls open to create one larger space. The sheds didn't *touch* each other though, and had foam sheeting to act as a gasket between the two. A removable panel that sat on the floor bridged the gap.

Yes, you could readily move either one without any issue, but they happened to line up beside each other to create one larger space.

I have heard of this but not much else. I think there are even a few places around me that sell "sheds" based on this theroy.

Do you really get to skirt the taxes and permits??

 

[junkman104]

Permit? What are those?

I didn't have to have one for my 30 x 50 pole building, I have no idea how some of you live where you do.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

If you have to ask, then you probably know the answer already.

This **** is why I live in Ag zoned property.

When I did live with town covenants governing outbuildings, I just built my shed with a "seam" at the "allowable" size so I could literally break the shed down to the right size if anyone ever questioned it. I did it by doubling up the framing and lining up the seams of all sheet material across the middle of the building. Lived there for 7 years and no one ever questioned it, but I lived on the back edge of the neighborhood, so only the deer and the farmer working the field could really even see the over sized shed. I left it there for the next guy and never heard a word.

 

[BearCuda]

Permits are in place because of the close proximity of the individual properties. When you cram 4 to 8 houses (or more) per acre, what one person does has an immediate effect on the adjacent properties and their value. The easiest way to avoid most of this is to live in an un-incorporated part of a county or parish where generally building and zoning ordinances do not exist. Only setback is if your neighbor decides to start a junk collection you're stuck like chuck.

Actually, I can understand them for quality control purposes such as this. I would actually not care about them if A: they didn't cost you a thing, and B: they didn't cause your taxes to increase. It's actually the unfair taxation of properties that really gets my goat.

 

[PCO6]

Not a shed story but one about a sign without a permit. There was a bad situation close to here several years ago where a business erected a sign without a permit. It was basically a 4'x8' sheet of plywood mounted on two 4"x4" uprights. The top stood at about 12'. It simply sat on the ground on horizontal 4"x4" wood "feet". There was no foundation or even anything to weigh it down.

As you can imagine the wind blew it on to the road one day and it hit a car. A kid in the car was badly hurt. The business owner tried to claim it was an act of God (the wind) but that didn't hold up. It was more of an act of him not understanding how to erect a sign and get a permit for it.

 

[PCO6]

Actually, I can understand them for quality control purposes such as this. I would actually not care about them if A: they didn't cost you a thing, and B: they didn't cause your taxes to increase. It's actually the unfair taxation of properties that really gets my goat.

The argument against that from the municipal side is that those who need permits should pay for the staff time it takes to review applications and approve them. Alternatively all tax payers would share in paying for something they have nothing to do with.

I processed many major land development applications over a 40 year career. It occupied a lot of municipal staff time and it was fair that we paid for that time. Municipalities apply the same principle on small applications (building permits, sheds, etc.).

 

[glider]

Over 14 years of building sheds I have had very few customers get permits. The subject comes up alot. My answer is the same. That would be on you. And you usually does nothing about that. It's more about the associations today. Rule of thumb, whatever the neighborhood has going on. Don't rock the boat!

 

[Kingcreek]

In our county, they don't tax it if it's moveable or "temporary". If you put it on skids and it's not on permanent footings they let us slide. For some weird reason, my greenhouse could be set with concrete set anchor rods and a wood base wall no problem, but if I wanted a concrete rat wall it was gonna bite me.
We get away with a lot being a rural farm based county. No permits required and no zoning or code issues other than septic if we are resident farmer/landowner.

 

[boiler7904]

I have a 10x12 shed that came with the house i bought this fall. It isn't in the greatest shape but keeps my lawn and garden stuff, bikes, and patio furniture out of the weather. It is wired for power with an interior and exterior light but the power feed looks to be an extension cord that was buried about 100 feet across the backyard and plugged into a receptacle on the back porch. We moved in in mid November and didn't ahve a chance to dive into it so I need to investigate that in the spring.

When I started looking at my town's permit website, we are allowed one 10x16 shed up to 14' tall to the ridge. Permit is $35. Add another $35 permit if it is going to have electric run to it which I like the idea of.

The shed shows up on our tax records as an accessory improvement so I'm sure it raises the taxes a little.

Being on a half acre, I'd love to have a 2 car garage sized shop to tinker in but detached garages are banned in town on anything less than 1 acre lots.