40x30x12 Pole Barn

[JB1320]

Hello All! I've been searching through some previous threads here trying to find ideas, do's/dont's on barns.

We have some land 2hrs from our primary residence that we visit 2-3 times per month and would like to build a 2bedroom/1bath pole barn that can later be converted into a shop once we build a house one day. Can this be done as long as it's framed correctly to convert later on? I know i will have to tear down the bedroom walls when we do build, but i'm just curious if i can later add 2- 10' doors once it is a shop. Does anyone have any advise?

 

[CaptPicky]

Your first stop needs to be your local zoning authority. They often don't like what you are suggesting because it starts out temporary but ends up being a permanent thing. I had to sign a paper promising I wouldn't do that thing in order to put up a barn before I built a house.

 

[mattellis2]

government hoops aside, yes what you're proposing is very doable structurally. frame the roof with clear span trusses, and build headers into the stud walls that will be the headers above your clear openings when they become roll up doors. all you have to do then is some infill stud framing to hang your finishes on at that point.

 

[jdmar]

I agree that "Gov" is really the only issue. If it was me (not that I would eeever stretch local regulations!) I would just build a barn...period. Frame for the garage doors and a man door and windows. Put in your main panel. In many areas AG buildings need minimal to no inspections. Often they only need inspection for electrical--not even structural or foundation. Essentially you will have an uninsulated pole barn with freespan trusses (can even do attic trusses), a main panel for electric, and dirt floors with two big openings for "when I can afford to put in garage doors." Have your barn inpected and call it a day.

On ANOTHER day however.... I would frame closed the garage door spaces ("easier" if facing away from the road!). Rough in for your plumbing (nice to have a small bath in a barn anyway. Pour your floor. Then you can frame the inside anyway you want. What an inspector might see (not that he will) as a kitchen, bath and bedroom...you might call a washdown area, tack room, and lockable storage.

Keep in mind pole barns can be a bit slower to insulate than a conventional built building. But pole barns look a lot more like a barn than an apartment and will draw much less attention. How you handle a septic is harder. I would not try to get that by the inspector-I think there are big fines with that one.

 

[JB1320]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've been told that as long as I have over 10acres (which i do) I can do my own septic system with no inspections. Thanks for the advice and i will post some pictures when/if i get this started.