permit mistakes and experiences

[Mike Teskey]

Well it appears I really misunderstood what I was allowed to do without a permit in Lincoln County (coast), Oregon.  Before I purchased the property, I asked lots of questions regarding what I needed to to and what I was allowed to do (to get and without a permit).  Now as I am about to put a roof on a 12 x 16 shed, I discover a code compliance officer telling me I can't do that because it is an accessory building and you need a primary residence first.  AAGH.  I asked that question six months ago.  

Then I also discover I will need a road access permit in addition to the other permits I did know about.  This access permit, however, requires putting in two 20 x 8 parking spaces and these cannot be in the right of way, so that means at least 20 feet from the road....and since the road is paved the road access needs to be paved as well.

I am quickly discovering the many fixed costs that come in front of the other planned fixzed costs.  

Can I really do this myself?  Sorry for the vent and the rhetorical question.

mt

[Shelley]

Yes Mike,  you can do this yourself.  All those surprises and hidden costs are why I always say that it costs twice as much as you thought.  It'll take all you have available and then some.

Plenty of contractor pros make mistakes too.  Not meeting setbacks, walls and fences too high.

You should be asking the code enforcement people your questions.  We had a similar code that said the lot couldn't contain only an accessory building.  Maybe if you went down there, talked to the big guy and explained that it was to store tools while you build, they'd let you slide.

Don't know what to tell you if you're planning on living in the thing.  Our <200sf loophole excludes living space.

Don't know about the parking thing.  Haven't run into that one.

My advice is not to test their testerone levels.  They can make you tear it down.   Be a little sheepish, tell them you're learning, want to do it the right way and could they help you out with a few answers.  Most people, regardless of profession, are dying to show you how much they know.

Good luck.

[PEG688]

  Good advice from Shelly , I went on a rant then deleted it   . Just remember " Argueing with a building inspector is like wrestling with a pig , you'll both get dirty and the pig likes it !"
    Roll with the punches , ask the people at the desk , "Am I forgetting anything ?"  
  This to shall pass , you can do it      HTBH  ;)PEG

[Chuckca]

A local builder here -  always takes a micro-tape recorder....when he's asking questions...he always requet permission to record the conversion....so...he can make better notes later....no one seems to have a problems with this...!  

He then sends the bldg dept a summary letter....they usually respond with favorable remarks....!

This could save your bacon!