monolitic slab

[Frankenkubota]

Not true in a lot, if not most, places. One reason for requiring permits is to facilitate taxing its value, even if its only an ag building.

I have an ag tax exemption. I'm a tree farmer but, being from Wisconsin, i'm still trying to figure out how to milk them! I'm building a house which requires permits. I'm also building a separate garage/shop/apartment. I permitted that.
also.

Found out later I only had to permit the house, any other structure, because i'm a farmer, is exempt from permits.

I have a friend that built an entire 1840s town, by hand, milled his own wood etc etc. Nary a permit and when he goes I'm afraid his son inherits a can of worms?

 

[yanmars]

I think I mentioned I did not need any permits when the building was an ag building but when I wanted to convert it to residential and overnight use I am required to get them. Even though no permits were initially required for the ag buildings they certainly were taxed. They raised the real estate taxes considerably although agricultural farming ground is give a preferential reduced tax rate.

 

[yanmars]

Eventually I will have to cut/drill through the 7 inch thick concrete with rebar and wire mesh. Really not looking forward to that. Unsure if the rebar spacing is 18 inches or perhaps 24 inches. I can kind of figure where the grid lays and maybe I will get lucky and only have to cut the mesh. Fortunately that was not a hog type fence material.
More things to figure out. If I can put down 2x6s I have Goodyear rubberized roofing I could cut into strips and place under the joists along with another vapor barrier and hopefully that would help. On occasion if a piece of material lays on the floor and I lift it there is condensation there at times. Want to contain that if possible. In some ways it might be just easier to use this as a garage and build new.

 

[aczlan]

I have an ag tax exemption. I'm a tree farmer but, being from Wisconsin, i'm still trying to figure out how to milk them! I'm building a house which requires permits. I'm also building a separate garage/shop/apartment. I permitted that.
also.

Found out later I only had to permit the house, any other structure, because i'm a farmer, is exempt from permits.

I have a friend that built an entire 1840s town, by hand, milled his own wood etc etc. Nary a permit and when he goes I'm afraid his son inherits a can of worms?

Around here (Upstate NY), once it changes hands any changes are grandfathered in.

Aaron Z

 

[dstig1]

What they are asking for is related to the code section on Frost Protected Shallow Foundations. If you search on that term, it will bring you to several resources probably including the one I am most familiar with from the Univ of Minn Duluth on buildings in cold climates. Do a bit of reading there and you will learn more about it. You might find from that there are other ways to meet their requirements, such as wing insulation (horizontal next to the foundation). That would be a lot less disruptive than what they first asked. The goal of this is to use the heat from the ground and the building to keep the ground under the foundation from freezing and thus potentially causing heaving. The insulation in the ground is there to help keep the frost line more shallow to help this.

Good luck with your project. Hopefully you can come to a decent resolution with the building dept.

-Dave

 

[yanmars]

I actually had seen the horizontal insulation plan. The one I saw still said the insulation has to be covered by 10 inches of dirt and that would still cause me issues. I was in the building today. Even with are long cold spell and below zero temps the floor is flat and no heaving. Will be getting with the necessary parties this Spring to figure what can be done or not. Still hopeful.

 

[yanmars]

I read where Frank Lloyd Wright had concerns with frost heave way back when. Part of his plan was good drainage and large roof overhangs to keep the moisture away.
I have two feet overhangs on the length on one side and 13 feet on the other as there is a lean to there.
The good news is they will permit me to put in 2x6 sleepers filled with Perlite. That I can do and it gives me a place to run some mechanicals etc. I plan to put in spouts and drain all the water from the roof away. Also some plastic field tile for more drainage and I may do some shallow exterior underground ESP insulation also so I should have that covered.
My brother who was in the building trades think I should just have a prebuilt home brought in and use what I have for a garage. I have so much material I have accumulated over the years I would like to use it up in what I have plus I enjoy the work. No fun in a structure hauled in even if the cost would be similar although I think I will still be ahead of the game.