Trailer length confusion?

[no704]

So in the final stages of getting permits on my new garage. They keep trying to shrink me down! Last round included measuring from grade instead of finished floor. That costs me 6” of height. I can live with 11’6”height.
But they want (perticular reviewer I think is being a **** as others had said it was fine) an additional 1’ more setback. Making the inside less than 30’ that is a very standard trailer length. A 30,5’ deep bay would allow a 30’ trailer to park. A 29.5’ deep bay would not.

Am I missing something?

 

[no704]

Obviously I would like to have as much depth as possible. But I’m inbetween on one end not building upon The existing sewage line and the existing overhead power lines. Both about the same place. On the other end is my setback required by the city. I have an existing block wall fence that will come down for that portion. And am inside that allready by 9’. This guy wants that to be 10’ don’t sound like much but that’s less than 30’ depth.
I’m on the edge of scraping the whole project.

 

[mike93lx]

Do you own a 30' trailer? If fitting one is a requirement, sure, build around it, but is that a hill to die on?

 

[whateg01]

30' what? Deck length? Fits a 30' boat? 30' GN? 30' TT? A 30' flat bed will be more than 30' long, for example

 

[zkdiesel]

Any trailer is longer by several feet than when it’s listed as it’s “size”. Semi trailers are the only exception

 

[whateg01]

Any trailer is longer by several feet than when it’s listed as it’s “size”. Semi trailers are the only exception

I was thinking that gn travel trailers were in that same boat. I guess that would be 5th wheel. Not sure about gn stock trailers.

 

[Rc_Guy]

To me, a 30’ trailer is about

Any trailer is longer by several feet than when it’s listed as it’s “size”. Semi trailers are the only exception

i agree, a 30’ trailer is about 34’ long

 

[no704]

Ya. Ya I kinda know but there are some that are honestly measured from bumper to ball. I’m just trying to pick a good fight for keeping my 1’ that they allready told me was ok.

 

[no704]

Talking with other reviewers. Thing keeps shrinking. Although I did start asking for the maximum. Expecting it would. I really do want to build this. It would give me a place to be “home”’and not at the bar. My wife would appreciate that. And our carport could become a parking area again instead of a pile of ****! I really wish this can happen.

But what is the minimum sqft that’s worth building? I want a 2 post lift and minisplit in this. It will be a man cave as much as a shop.

Sorry for the rant. I’m just sick of the city coming up with reasons why not. I don’t think I’m really asking for much here. But at the same time I’m fighting for as much as I can have.

 

[no704]

 

[onewheat]

Utilize all available options to maximize all the space you can. You'll never regret more space.

 

[no704]

Utilize all available options to maximize all the space you can. You'll never regret more space.

That’s what I’m saying! I all ready have pretty much the minimum space between the existing house and the new structure at 7’ bearly enough for a car or trailer to get thru and then there is a minimum for a fire break(hopefully meats that?) originally had that 9’ set back at 5’ but was ok with 9’then I can put in a gate to park in that north area.

 

[whateg01]

That’s what I’m saying! I all ready have pretty much the minimum space between the existing house and the new structure at 7’ bearly enough for a car or trailer to get thru and then there is a minimum for a fire break(hopefully meats that?) originally had that 9’ set back at 5’ but was ok with 9’then I can put in a gate to park in that north area.

I guess I'm not understanding that. A 7' wide trailer? There are some custom jobs like that, but most 30' trailers, however you are measuring it, I see are either 8' or 8.5' wide.

 

[no704]

Again sorry for the rant. This has been going on for 2 years now. Hopefully I’ll be pouring concrete in the beautiful AZ winter this year! This project has been on my mind since precovid. I really want to get’er done. I’m sure for probably way over budget but I really don’t care anymore.

Then we can finish off the backyard however the wife sees fit and be happy. I haven’t watered the lawn back here in 2 years. Probably get AstroTurf.

 

[no704]

I guess I'm not understanding that. A 7' wide trailer? There are some custom jobs like that, but most 30' trailers, however you are measuring it, I see are either 8' or 8.5' wide.

I’m talking about the clearance between the house and new construction. A small
4x6 could fit thru to deliver some rock or mulch

Door to the shop will be 16’x10’

 

[finn]

I’ll bet they’re looking for a 26’x30’ footprint to bring the eaves in to closer to 9’.

I always thought you include eaves and gutters when figuring clearance setbavpcks, but I might be wrong.

Anyway, the way it’s dimensioned shouts “cheating the letter of the law”, or in other words, pushing the limits rather than working in good faith to meet the regulations.

That’s a red flag, and obviously hasn’t won you any friends.

 

[southalabama]

Often things including trailers are expressed in nominal sizes as compared to actual size.

Examples.

Lumber.
Boats
Trailers
Mobile homes.

 

[u2slow]

But what is the minimum sqft that’s worth building? I want a 2 post lift and minisplit in this. It will be a man cave as much as a shop.

Sorry for the rant. I’m just sick of the city coming up with reasons why not. I don’t think I’m really asking for much here. But at the same time I’m fighting for as much as I can have.

I built to the max allowed - 754sqft. 20x38' interior and nearly 20' ceiling. Incorporated 2 lean-to's. Holds two vehicles double-deep. (Or one long one). Work space is to the side. Now has a 30'x7' mezzanine above it. My setbacks had to be greater than yours. I felt it cost a fortune, but it was still "worth it". Paid it off promptly enough, and property value exceeds what I spent.

If I wanted to build more sqft, I had to start with a bigger lot. Or apply for a variance, which I'm 98% sure would have been shot down.

A 30' trailer seems a strange cross to die on. Don't buy anything longer than fits (unless you can build a 'bump-out' for a few extra feet later).

 

[racecougar]

Have you formally requested a variance?

 

[u2slow]

Have you formally requested a variance?

I didn't want to 'pre-advertise' to the neighbourhood that a sizable building was coming their way. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I feared it could create opposition to simply getting what the bylaws already allowed me. And, the variance process started with a $2500 application fee.

 

[whateg01]

So, what you're asking for is for us to say yes you should build it the way you want it and ask for forgiveness later. Okay, build it the way you want it and ask for forgiveness later. Do you feel better now?

 

[PCustoms]

Again sorry for the rant. This has been going on for 2 years now.

Sorry, but haven't you started 4-5 threads about the various issues building what you want on this lot?

 

[jack stand]

Talking with other reviewers. Thing keeps shrinking. Although I did start asking for the maximum. Expecting it would. I really do want to build this. It would give me a place to be “home”’and not at the bar. My wife would appreciate that. And our carport could become a parking area again instead of a pile of ****! I really wish this can happen.

But what is the minimum sqft that’s worth building? I want a 2 post lift and minisplit in this. It will be a man cave as much as a shop.

Sorry for the rant. I’m just sick of the city coming up with reasons why not. I don’t think I’m really asking for much here. But at the same time I’m fighting for as much as I can have.

If the offsets are WRITTEN Law, how is this discretionary by any individual?
I'd fight those mf'ers if the rules are the rules!

 

[racecougar]

I didn't want to 'pre-advertise' to the neighbourhood that a sizable building was coming their way. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I feared it could create opposition to simply getting what the bylaws already allowed me. And, the variance process started with a $2500 application fee.

I was asking the OP. If he needs that extra foot for a trailer that he doesn't seem to own, he could apply for a variance.

 

[whateg01]

If the offsets are WRITTEN Law, how is this discretionary by any individual?
I'd fight those mf'ers if the rules are the rules!

Aside from the variance that was mentioned, I doubt that anything is really changing other than maybe Opie keeps discovering that things he wanted to do won't actually fit in the statutes or regulations

 

[Old tool guy]

If the offsets are WRITTEN Law, how is this discretionary by any individual?
I'd fight those mf'ers if the rules are the rules!

I was going to post similar. The city has written codes and ordinances that spell out everything that is enforcable. Read everything. Does the setback measure to the face if the building or the edge if the roof. If your plans are compliant, tell the reviewer to show you exactly what is wrong, and where in the code it is called out.

 

[Al G]

The zoning requirements should be in writing somewhere. Have you reviewed them?

 

[carcruse]

The zoning requirements should be in writing somewhere. Have you reviewed them?

^^^this. Most communities now have them online. What community in AZ are you? In most communities in my area of Michigan, miminium distance between house and detached garage is 10 feet for fire protection.

 

[dcg9381]

In most communities in my area of Michigan, miminium distance between house and detached garage is 10 feet for fire protection.

So attach it with a breezeway.

If he needs that extra foot for a trailer that he doesn't seem to own, he could apply for a variance.

YMMV. Around here, you're not getting a variance without a video of the council and Stormy Daniels. If they vary for the OP, they have to vary for everyone in the same boat.

There's always this option if the OP doesn't own the trailer:


But my 16' trailer is several feet longer than 16' from tip to tail...

OP, can you get in a 10' (high) door at 11.5' eve?

I think they want you to eat 1' so they don't have to decline your final inspection if you're slightly over? But that's just a guess... That might be something you can push on.. If it's compliant, it's compliant.

 

[no704]

^^^this. Most communities now have them online. What community in AZ are you? In most communities in my area of Michigan, miminium distance between house and detached garage is 10 feet for fire protection.

Tempe

 

[carlaisle]

Why not just build it with the offending wall at a very slight diagonal to accommodate whatever regulatory stupidity needs accommodated? On his plan they are clearly going off the exterior footprint of the building for the setbacks. That sewer line and electric service can easily be moved a couple of feet if that's the stumbling block. Easily, not necessarily cheaply.

 

[Old tool guy]

Have you seen this? (They are out of order, page 1 is below page 2)

 

[75gmck25]

Confirm with the city where they measure building height and then calculate minimum setback. In my city it's the building height is the mid point between the top plate and the peak, so a building that is counted as nine foot height is at least a couple feet taller than you would expect.

 

[no704]

Have you seen this? (They are out of order, page 1 is below page 2)

Yes, and thanks!

 

[no704]

Confirm with the city where they measure building height and then calculate minimum setback. In my city it's the building height is the mid point between the top plate and the peak, so a building that is counted as nine foot height is at least a couple feet taller than you would expect.

That is apparently how it is most places. Tempe uses the actual height.

 

[no704]

Architect will be doing some more research next week.

 

[PCustoms]

Architect will be doing some more research next week.

Is fire the "architect" if he designed a building that doesn't meet applicable codes...

But there's a lot of do different.

 

[Old tool guy]

(delete)

 

[u2slow]

Is fire the "architect" if he designed a building that doesn't meet applicable codes...

IME, the architect structurally designs what I specify. If I tell him the wrong building size, that's on me.

 

[PCustoms]

IME, the architect structurally designs what I specify. If I tell him the wrong building size, that's on me.

IME architects don't do anything structural