Puffin
Member
Registered: 01/11/08
Posts: 4689
Loc: WNY
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I am hoping to put up a 8x7 plastic shed. It is on pretty flat land and the guy at Lowes says two sheets of plywood with some 2x4s nailed to them is an adequate foundation. Am I likely to need a permit for this? (I put up a shed at my old house and pulled a permit. The inspector said most people don't do that, but then have problems when they go to sell it. But I can just pull it down, if it causes a problem.)
Now the reason I don't want to get a permit... I am going to put it directly on the lot line, which would require a variance, which I would likely not get. The neighbors have a larger concrete block building directly on the lot line, and I intend this to go up against that. On one side there is a 14' retaining wall, and on the other there is a lake. Since they won't actually be able to see it, except from the lake, it is hard to see how they can object to it.
(I am debating whether to just put it up, or to ask if they mind. They might mind if I ask them, but are unlikely to say anything about it if I just put it up.)
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JR_
Honored Veteran
Registered: 03/13/09
Posts: 15382
Loc: Rhode Island
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Go get a copy of your town/city's zoning ordinances. Read it and you'll know without tipping the town or your neighbors off about your intentions.
Every municipality is different.
Here, anything under 64 sq ft does not require a permit.
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RJT123
Member
Registered: 11/30/06
Posts: 284
Loc: Saratoga, NY
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In my municipality (Clifton Park ,NY) you do not need a permit for outbuildings that have a footprint of 12x12' or less. But, you need to follow the set back rules, which you are not. Of course, if any one complains you can just move it.
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JR_
Honored Veteran
Registered: 03/13/09
Posts: 15382
Loc: Rhode Island
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I'd just put it up and then move it if there are complaints.
Do now, ask for forgiveness later.
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Woodenfish
Member
Registered: 01/13/07
Posts: 2827
Loc: Chi-raq
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I agree that the building square footage is too small to require a permit.
Pressure treated 2x's are not rated ground contact and will rot. I would definitely consider a more appropriate conventionally built deck assembly upon 4x skids or blocks than the one the guy at Lowe's suggested.
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Any free advice given is worth price paid.
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Barry
Member
Registered: 02/07/01
Posts: 6900
Loc: New Rochelle, NY
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In my city you don't need a permit for a shed without a permanent foundation but you do need to comply with setback rules. Seems the standard here is to dig out several inches, fill the hole with crushed rock and lay PT 4x4s on that. That seems to qualify as a non-permanent foundation.
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Itshardtoputspacesinbetweenyourwordswithouttheuseofyourthumbs
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Anak
Someone Else
Registered: 08/06/06
Posts: 6591
Loc: Starnesville
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Did the neighbors get a variance for their more permanent structure?
If they did not, and yours is smaller, I can't imagine how anyone would have a leg to stand on to complain about yours. Not that logic or consistency have anything to do with how bureaucrats work...
If it were me, I would set it on piers. I wouldn't hesitate one bit either. That small of a structure, built of plastic doesn't count as needing a permit in my book. Your local authorities may differ, but I would force their hand.
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Every decision you make can be viewed as a choice between comfort and opportunity.
Honk if U love Jesus
Text while driving if U wanna meet Him
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JR_
Honored Veteran
Registered: 03/13/09
Posts: 15382
Loc: Rhode Island
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Woodenfish said:
I agree that the building square footage is too small to require a permit.
Pressure treated 2x's are not rated ground contact and will rot. I would definitely consider a more appropriate conventionally built deck assembly upon 4x skids or blocks than the one the guy at Lowe's suggested.
They are not rated for in ground contact but they are rated for above ground contact.
Laying them on a 3/4 stone base or equivalent is more than sufficient. They'll last for many years...
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daveferg
member
Registered: 02/19/02
Posts: 39674
Loc: Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Barry said:
In my city you don't need a permit for a shed without a permanent foundation but you do need to comply with setback rules. Seems the standard here is to dig out several inches, fill the hole with crushed rock and lay PT 4x4s on that. That seems to qualify as a non-permanent foundation.
Funny--I just read the title of your post and was just going to say the same thing----usually don't need a permit but must comply with back-set distances from the property line---obviously the only exceptions are fences and retaining walls.
IMO, resale issues for unpermited structures is a crap shoot. Appraisals are going by different rules nowadays and you may or may not run into problems. Of course, the easiest way to have a complaint filed is by your neighbor---but in the case you describe, that is rather unlikely.
Agree also----several inches of gravel with at least 4x4s is your best non-permanent foundation.
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Dave
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blindrid
Member
Registered: 11/07/03
Posts: 4739
Loc: Castle Rock CO
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Not to disagree Dave but I view a plastic shed as a temporary shed that would not have an effect on the permit issue like a real shed.
If it becomes an issue at least it would take about 15 minutes to take care of the problem.
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