"Temporary" Garage with Wood Floor

[skcj213]

Hello all! Several years ago, we bought the house next door, which was rental property, and demolished it. We now have a nice sized empty lot. We currently have a very crowded 2-car near our house. The plan was to put a second garage on the lot next door to use as a workshop and possible home for a weekend leisure car. However, being in Illinois, property taxes are horrendous and we are not excited about making our already bloated tax bill go even higher. I haven't inquired with the tax assessor, but, I believe temporary buildings do not impact assessments. So, how crazy of an idea is it to build a 2-car like a temporary building, on skids, that would accommodate housing a vehicle? My thoughts are for a 24 x 24 with 8' ceilings.

 

[Garcky]

Your local building authority can answer your questions. There might well be a lowering of the assessment of the other lot, now that the house has been removed. So, it could be a wash, taxwise. Such a large "temporary building" probably wouldn't be allowed, I'm thinking. Your local authorities will know, though. It won't hurt to inquire, and it won't cost you anything unless you actually build something.

 

[skcj213]

Your local building authority can answer your questions. There might well be a lowering of the assessment of the other lot, now that the house has been removed. So, it could be a wash, taxwise. Such a large "temporary building" probably wouldn't be allowed, I'm thinking. Your local authorities will know, though. It won't hurt to inquire, and it won't cost you anything unless you actually build something.

Garcky,
Thank you for the response. The house was removed several years ago and the assessment has already been adjusted down to reflect the change. I live in a small town, not Chicago, we don't have a building authority. All we have is the County Assessor. My question isn't really about tax law, it is more concerning the feasibility of parking a vehicle in a building with a wood floor. If this is feasible, I will take the tax question up with the tax assessor.

 

[Garcky]

Garcky,
Thank you for the response. The house was removed several years ago and the assessment has already been adjusted down to reflect the change. I live in a small town, not Chicago, we don't have a building authority. All we have is the County Assessor. My question isn't really about tax law, it is more concerning the feasibility of parking a vehicle in a building with a wood floor. If this is feasible, I will take the tax question up with the tax assessor.

So, you don't have to get a building permit to build a structure? I'm guessing that's not the case. Whoever handles those building permits is the building authority. Maybe it's a county function. I don't know, but if you live in a town, you need a building permit to build a structure.

 

[billconner]

Googling I found an article on places with no building codes, so I presume no permits.
"
People also ask

What counties in Illinois have no building codes?

While many of the state's local governments do have building codes, there are several counties in the southern part of Illinois that do not, including Woodford, Pope, Ogle, and Gallatin counties.Oct 3, 2022"

 

[skcj213]

So, you don't have to get a building permit to build a structure? I'm guessing that's not the case. Whoever handles those building permits is the building authority. Maybe it's a county function. I don't know, but if you live in a town, you need a building permit to build a structure.

A building permit must be pulled with the county for a permanent structure. The only purpose the building permit serves is to let the county know someone is making an improvement to their property and they need to be reassessed. There are no required inspections.

 

[skcj213]

Googling I found an article on places with no building codes, so I presume no permits.
"
People also ask

What counties in Illinois have no building codes?

While many of the state's local governments do have building codes, there are several counties in the southern part of Illinois that do not, including Woodford, Pope, Ogle, and Gallatin counties.Oct 3, 2022"

I am not in one of those counties but a couple are in my neighborhood. There may be local codes on the books but they are not enforced because neither the city not county has the resources. For example, there is an ordinance in my town that pole buildings are not allowed within the city limits. If you take a look around, there are many and I have yet to see one removed. That is just one of many examples.

 

[Garcky]

A building permit must be pulled with the county for a permanent structure. The only purpose the building permit serves is to let the county know someone is making an improvement to their property and they need to be reassessed. There are no required inspections.

OK, then you should build whatever you please, I guess. You asked something. I responded.

 

[BombShelter]

Most cities and small governments really frown on any structure like that, at least they used to. They also don't like a garage only added with no home on the lot.

Local governments used to throw around a lot more muscle, up here we've had homes/garages, moved or torn down that didn't meet the code, don't think it will not happen to you.

 

[Garcky]

Most cities and small governments really frown on any structure like that, at least they used to. They also don't like a garage only added with no home on the lot.

Local governments used to throw around a lot more muscle, up here we've had homes/garages, moved or torn down that didn't meet the code, don't think it will not happen to you.

Further, when you sell a property, unpermitted buildings that do not meet building code requirements often slow down or interfere with the issuance of a title insurance policy. I can't imagine a 24' x24' building that could be classified as a "temporary" structure, even if built on "skids." I foresee problems when it comes time to sell the property.

While a city or county might be lax in its enforcement of building rules, that can end at any time, for any reason. It can get awkward, to say the least.

I understand people's desire to do "anything I damn well please," but that often backfires at some point. More research should be done before such a project begins, I'm certain.

 

[billconner]

Do you think a regular garage will really increase your property taxes that much? They don't around here and didn't when I lived in Illinois. (Granted same size house had more than triple the property taxes in Illinois then here in NY - which isn't shy about taxing.)

 

[WisJim]

You should be able to build a wooden floor that you could park a vehicle on, just design it for the appropriate load. Either the decking will be something really substantial or the joists under it will be very close together, or both. (I think that was part of your original question.) Whether it is legal or reasonable is a different question.

 

[skcj213]

Do you think a regular garage will really increase your property taxes that much? They don't around here and didn't when I lived in Illinois. (Granted same size house had more than triple the property taxes in Illinois then here in NY - which isn't shy about taxing.)

Just the empty lot is $300 a year.

 

[billconner]

Would you combine the two parcels into one? (I discovered that is a simple and free administrative task where I live.)

 

[rockettauto]

Would a carport be temporary? What about enclosed?

Wood could be done but I'd maybe lean more towards gravel covered with asphalt millings, smoothed and well impacted or go fully to asphalt.

It's possible you could even do concrete really.

I talked with an inspector who tipped me off to what some people do to get around having to have full footers on a steel building over a certain size. Which was to basically have the building resting on the ground, then pour the concrete inside of it.

Sit an enclosed "carport" over top.

Something along those lines, where you're essentially sitting a steel building over a pad.

 

[CraigStu]

A wood floor will be fine. We worked for a few years in a rented 2nd floor shop. Half of the floor was wood. This was 40 yrs ago and it was an old building then. I never measured but it looked like 2x12 joists on 12" centers w/ 2x10s for the flooring. We made sure not to drain any fluids on the wood floor area for fear of splashes and drips. But otherwise the wood floor was fine. BTW the 2x dimension was actually 2" not 1.5" like a current 2x.

 

[mepstein]

How much will it add to taxes to build what you want.

 

[mepstein]

Just the empty lot is $300 a year.

That seem “dirt cheap”

 

[billconner]

That seem “dirt cheap”

Don't know size but I have 9 acres of rural land with 300' of river front and that's about my taxes - maybe a little more with June's reassessment.

 

[skcj213]

That seem “dirt cheap”

Adding a typical 2 car garage would take it o over $1000.

 

[skcj213]

Would you combine the two parcels into one? (I discovered that is a simple and free administrative task where I live.)

I never thought about it. It there an advantage to combining them?

 

[skcj213]

How much will it add to taxes to build what you want.

Putting a 24x24 garage on a slab would probably add $700 to $800.

 

[billconner]

I never thought about it. It there an advantage to combining them?

I don't know. If as sometimes is the case and as mentioned, you can't build a garage on a lot without a house, then yes. Do you want to be able to sell lot separately in future? I get sense of small rural town, possibly shrinking like so many, and lots not too much in demand.

I also could believe two 1 acre lots appraise for more than one 2 acre lot. I don't know how to find that out.

 

[Renegade1LI]

To answer the ops question, I would place landscape ties at the plywood joints, then backfil with rca and compact. Spread a little fine sand and screed as you place the plywood and fasten to the ties. I would use 6" of rca and 3/4 plywood. That would give a solid clean floor otherwise pour a 5" slab on 6" of rca. Even here in ny I don't need a permit for a grade level slab.

 

[mepstein]

Putting a 24x24 garage on a slab would probably add $700 to $800.

Seems like a no brainer to me. 2 dollars a day to have the garage you want. Our taxes are $7800/year so maybe I’m a bit biased.

 

[billconner]

"Temporary" in codes and I believe laws is usually defined, 180 days in building codes. Your initial premise may not be valid.

 

[rockettauto]

"Temporary" in codes and I believe laws is usually defined, 180 days in building codes. Your initial premise may not be valid.

True, but also some places make a distinction going by different names that basically comes down to could it be habitable.

For instance, related to what I pointed out earlier. A steel building over a parking pad may look like a garage, but not be classed as an improvement that would add any value. While the same building on a slab with footers would.

Sometimes that's called a temporary structure. OP really has to get some clarification from the county.

 

[Cardboard Man]

A couple of decades ago I did exactly what you're asking about except it was a 12x24, so half the size you're proposing. I laid 6x6 pressure treated timbers on the ground around the perimeter as well as several cross-wise in the center. Regular non-treated 3/4 plywood was screwed down to the timbers and became the floor. I then built a traditional stick-framed structure on top of the wood floor just like you'd build on a concrete slab. The building is still in use today and has housed several cars over the years. No problem parking on a plywood floor. I'm sure the usual cast of characters here will come along and say it's wrong for a variety of reasons, but it has been working just fine for me for a long time. Whatever you do or don't do concerning the tax man is your business.

 

[Two Speed]

[deleted]

 

[readhead]

To answer your original question, yes it is very feasible. I delivered a 16x20 a couple of days ago that the fellow is going to park a small tractor in. Most shed builders will go 16’ max on width because of DOT requirements but there are some that will do double wide by attaching two parts on site.
I have sold lots of garages and would suggest that you talk to some local shed builders about what they have to offer.

 

[CraigStu]

One place I worked in built a 2nd floor for storage over part of a shop. The builder asked what we wanted to store up there. We told him car parts including trans and diffs but no engines. He came back next day and said something like span of 16ft instead of 2x10s on 16 centers we need 2x12s on 12 centers and a heavier grade sub flooring. So it is simply a case of weight to store plus span equals XYZ structure. Another option like you originally mentioned would be setting a shed-like garage on a flat surface of gravel. People who do this daily will have ideas on what type gravel etc but that gets you away from the span problem. Our first house I had a pole barn put up planning to pour concrete later. The concrete wasn't going to happen for a while so I built kind of a frame of 2x6s about 12x16 on a thin layer of gravel. Then I filled in up to be flush w/ the top of the 2x6s. Then I laid 3/4 plywood. I didn't park a car on it but I did a lot of work on that corner floor of the pole barn for 4 years. There are a lot of conventions used in building a garage but I think that there are plenty of other ways to get what you want besides the conventional way.

 

[DrinkMan]

I never thought about it. It there an advantage to combining them?

This is a great question. If you have a good tax assessor, they will help you with that one. When we bought our mountain cabin, I also purchased the vacant land on either side. I also had it surveyed to have it combined into one large tract with the house so I would not have to deal with 3 tax bills and any other hassles. When I got my first tax bill, it was for 3 properties. I went to the tax office to ask why I did not get the combined property as we had set up at closing. She explained that for us, the savings was less than $50 per year to have 1 property vs 3 and if we kept it as 3, we could in the future easily sell one of the adjacent lots for someone to build on or even build a separate house ourselves to set up as a rental property. Here it is 21 years later and I wish I had not kept it 3 lots. Not as much for the $50/yr savings ($1,050 total) but because we want to add a garage and because of the location of our house and where we would like to build the garage, it would span 2 properties and be on the same driveway as the house. It is about to get complicated. So, now we may have to re-survey the land, get it combined and then build garage.

In your case, you may save money combining the land and maybe have more flexibility....or maybe not. Get the data first.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Install rodent control (hardware cloth) everywhere that it could possibly be needed first thing in the dirt.

 

[billconner]

Pour a parking pad - no tax liability usually - and then build a "temporary building" on the parking pad. I just don't think any building more than 6 months will be considered temporary. Consider all those pandemic structures on sidewalks and such for restaurants. Many were considered permanent after 6 months and had to meet the building code. There's a bunch of changes in the next edition of the IBC to clarify this. Many or most places even tents left up for more than 6 months are no longer temporary, though probably don't appraise to or much if anything.

 

[cr-garagedoor]

Parking a vehicle in a building with a wood floor is generally not recommended and can pose several feasibility and safety concerns. Wood floors are typically not designed to bear the weight of a vehicle and may not have the necessary structural support to withstand the concentrated load.
Here are some reasons why parking a vehicle on a wood floor is not feasible:
1. Fire hazard
2. Weight and load distribution
3. Structural integrity

So, if you require indoor parking for your vehicle, it is advisable to look for facilities that are specifically designed and equipped for that purpose. These facilities often have reinforced concrete floors, appropriate drainage systems, and fire safety measures in place to ensure the safe storage of vehicles.

 

[readhead]

Need some more explanation. By that reasoning most of the attached or detached garages in the country are unacceptable to park in. In response to the comments, a wood framed garage is also a fire hazard. Wood floors can be designed to meet any structural and load requirements.

 

[billconner]

Farm tractors are often in a barn loft. Certainly a minimum second floor ply on joists may be insufficient but I have no problem with a vehicle on a wood floor.

While codes require a non -combustible garage floor, this seems rooted to when cars routinely leaked fluids. Most don't or rarely do today. May still not avoid the code issue.

 

[CraigStu]

Friends of ours had two waterfront lots. They did a nice attached garage addition that spanned the divider line and then a beautiful above ground pool enclosed in a deck behind the garage also spanned the line. Then the state decided to change rules a little. The new rule said that any building that spans a lot line causes the lot line to disappear. They had always been planning that at some point they might sell the extra lot to help finance retirement. They were 10 yrs from retirement though, and I think I saw tears in his eyes as the jaws of an excavator started demolishing his garage.

 

[billconner]

Friends of ours had two waterfront lots. They did a nice attached garage addition that spanned the divider line and then a beautiful above ground pool enclosed in a deck behind the garage also spanned the line. Then the state decided to change rules a little. The new rule said that any building that spans a lot line causes the lot line to disappear. They had always been planning that at some point they might sell the extra lot to help finance retirement. They were 10 yrs from retirement though, and I think I saw tears in his eyes as the jaws of an excavator started demolishing his garage.

They chose to demolish garage rather than combine lots? Wow.

 

[manwithtools]

Parking a vehicle in a building with a wood floor is generally not recommended and can pose several feasibility and safety concerns. Wood floors are typically not designed to bear the weight of a vehicle and may not have the necessary structural support to withstand the concentrated load.
Here are some reasons why parking a vehicle on a wood floor is not feasible:
1. Fire hazard
2. Weight and load distribution
3. Structural integrity

So, if you require indoor parking for your vehicle, it is advisable to look for facilities that are specifically designed and equipped for that purpose. These facilities often have reinforced concrete floors, appropriate drainage systems, and fire safety measures in place to ensure the safe storage of vehicles.

This seems like an AI crafted response. Can you confirm if that's the case or not?