do i have to pull a permit ?? "carport"

My garage/shop is 22 X 24 (and way too small), and in the back yard, with a gravel driveway/parking area leading to it (all very nicely done). I wanted to have a 2 car carport built in front of the garage, and looked into the "code". Need a permit, the inspection process, and yada-yada-yada. The permit is 1/5 the price of the carport!!! BUT, I can have a temporary, tent-type of garage, and NOT need a permit (?????). So, I have a 10 X 20 X 11 "garagemahal" of a tent-garage by Shelter Logic, that looks like @#$%, buts it's legal. Now, there are many other property owners with "illegal" structures of various types (ad-ons, storage buildings, shipping containers, ect), that did'nt go the permit route in the neighborhood. I asked what could happen IF I built it without the permit, and was told a $500.00 fine (per incident), plus the permit cost, plus having to have it inspected and OK'd. Their biggest area of concern is that it's anchored properly to the ground (has to be immobile with the wind, ect). When I asked what "properly" was, they did'nt have an answer (?????). I'm convinced, all they really want is the $364.00 a permit costs. Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

There used to just be local building codes. Then there was a national building code, and now an international building code! Where I live in northern IL the international code is enforced. I'm a contractor. The county where I live is the toughest about permits. ANY improvement or REPAIR that costs $500 or more requires a permit. Even "temporary" structures. Most of the towns have their own building departments and while the codes are all the same, the permit requirements vary allot. You best check with your local jurisdiction.
I recently got a permit to put a new roof on my house. I live at the end of a dead end street and my neighbors do all kinds of improvements without getting permits....including the guy that I figured would call the inspector if I didn't get a permit. So I figured I better not chance it. When I was applying for the permit they brought up a satellite image of my property. They immediately started grilling me about all of the "structures". That's my house, that's my detached garage, that's my shed. "What about these?" That's my van, that's my trailer, that's my camper, that's my wife's car, those are my patio chairs, that's my dog..... They didn't seem to appreciate the sarcasm.
So I paid the 70 bucks for the permit and now my taxes will go up based on the value of the new roof.

On the other hand I have some property in another county in IL. The ONLY building code has to do with septic systems. They have no code enforcement and don't require permits for anything other than septic systems, and that's only because it's a state law.

I told a building inspector from a different area about that. He couldn't believe it and cited some federal law that said the minimum building code anywhere in the country was the international code. I suggested he have the feds go in that area and see if they came out.

A friend near where I live got a permit to reroof his house. A building inspector stopped by to check on his work and told him he had to get rid of all of his unlicensed cars by a certain date. After the inspector left my buddy backed one car against his garage and lined up 8 unlicensed cars and trucks up bumper to bumper, park a licensed truck on the other end, covered the VIN on the dash on the newer stuff and locked everything up. When the inspector came back around he signed off on the roof then told him he was going to fine him for the unlicesned cars. My buddy asked which ones weren't licensed. The inspector demanded he move them so he could see. My buddy refused. He then suggested the inspector was over stepping his authority because the cars were not a building department issue but rather a code enforcement issue and if anyone from the county ever set foot on his property again they better have a court order and and a police ****** because he had shot a tresp***er before and he wouldn't hesitate to do it again. That was 5 or 6 years ago and the cars are still lined up like that. And yes, years ago he did shoot someone that was stealing gas, and yes, I believe he'd shoot a county inspector or code enforcement officer.

 

In my county ... If you do not get a final inspection ... the improvement does NOT go on your tax bill. Lots of stuff is finished and NEVER gets a Final inspection

Small victory but it is a VICTORY of sorts.

.

 

My buddy up the street put one of those temporary garages in his driveway and had to pull a permit,Just remember it all about revenue..........

 

He wouldn't be one for long after my atty. got thru with him - this is red meat to him.

 

i took a side construction job once because a guy ***embled one and the city made him take it down..
after he did he pulled a permit and was able to pay someone else to put it back up..

think about how to ask your questions.. before you go..

 

ya i have to figure the wording out ... facts . I have a 20 by 20 slab of concrete that was on my property when i bought the place . no sign that it was a garage , just a slab . I want to build a car port . 6 poles and a tin roof . .. fun time .. this is still america right ??

 

Are there any anchors in the slab? Hey I was just fixing the exiting structure... if only that worked.

Ya pretty amazing that there can be so many hoops to go through for a car port.

 

A carport in M***?...........didn't think they'd allow one.

When I built a barn in M*** some twenty-five years ago the ***essors were there with their clipboards before it was half finished. They asked me if it was going to be a garage with a concrete slab or have a dirt floor and be used for horses. I asked which was cheaper.............and they said the slab. Well, I'm no horseman.

They'll get their money from you in M***................that's why I went to Tennessee 18 years ago. I figure I set the clock back about 20 years. But now what?

 

Exactly! Don't waste your time and money building something without one.

 

Carl
Two things come to mind.
#1 is that he bought sheet rock if he was going to sheet rock the ba*****t. I bought lumber a few years back loaded it on a trailer and went to my mom's place in the Ozarks to build her a deck. When I got back there was a note tagged to my door to contact the municipal codes dept. I did and they wanted to get into my house to see what i was building. I said I wasn't building anything and they wanted to know what the lumber was for. I guess anything over a certain amount purchased in the county the county is informed.

#2 The sheet rock had to be delivered and off loaded, someone may have noticed and dropped a dime on him

Yes it is still America and we have the unalienable right to obey the laws and statutes there of. I will be the first to admit right here before gawd and everyone that I am not very good at the rules. Never the less I try to obey some of them so that I don't feel like a hypocrite when I ***** about someone else who doesn't obey them.

You may just get down there with your plans and they will say something like you don't need a permit at all, ya just never know. Good luck with your build.

 

Hey Jake,
I live about an hour and a half south of you about 5 miles from both big casino's. I am right as I type this going thru this ******** with the city. 2 weeks ago I received a ceas and desist order from the zoning enforcement officer, because my new neighbors don't like looking at my "brand new" temporary shelter (12x20x8) In my case I share a driveway with this neighbor, I also share 1/2 of a double garage (One family used to own the street and family lived here). When I received the notice I called this enforement officer and found out that I need to 1st get a zoning permit, but only if i meet the "setbacks" which I thought i did until they tell me I now have to be 15 feet from the neighbor's property line, which is impossible becuase we share a driveway.

So another little tid bit I found out is, I also need to get a building permit for this also, but that most likely wouldn't be granted because of a new "snowload" law........

Needless to say, I am taking down my portable garage this weekend. Thankfully my wife's aunt is letting us park the Buick in her double garage this winter. I can't wait to move out of this house and neighborhood. Sorry for the long rant, just had to get it off my chest!
Chuck

 

Yeah it is a pain and your taxes might go up but it is a bigger pain when you build it wrong and get caught.

You should check the zoning codes to determine allowable size, height and proximity to property line. Check the building codes for the building and structural requirements.

If you live in M***achusetts, then you have snow and frost. What snow load are you designing your presumably flat roof to support? What is the average frost depth in your area. Your foundation should extend to that depth or you will probably get frost heave. Don't forget wind loads because a carport can act as a sail under high wind conditions. You don't just have to hold the building up but you also need to hold it down.

Design this thing as though it is an enclosed building because it probably will be some day.

This all comes from a licensed architect in Illinois. Have fun.

 

You're right of course. Pretty sad that no one notices when a hot rod gets stolen (in reference to other posts here) but they're on top of all the sheetrock in the neighborhood.

~ Carl

 

Check and see if your local city or county has a website. Our city has an entire section for the building department. Here you dont need a permit if the carport is considered a temporary structure, however if it is attached to a foundation you do need a permit, I would also imagine that there would be some size regulations.
Ill have to check on that - maybe a 4000 sq ft temporary carport might just fit in the back yard

 

thanks guys . I dealt with this in the past . I was getting 325 dollar tickets per day for having a car at the end of my driveway . where the gravel ended and the dirt started . They said it has to be part of the drive way ... meaning " no dirt between the tar and cement slab .... I said ok . called my buddy paving company and said ... pave this son of a bitc* . I now have a 100 foot long drive way that ends 14 feet from my neighbor porch... I tried to be nice guy but guess what some neighbors wanna play games .

 

I think he parks in the Home Depot parking lot

 

In my town homeowners can't even pull permits for anything structural, electrical, or plumbing. Have to use a certified contractor for all these projects with drawings from an archetect. I say it's easier to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission sometimes!!! Build it fast and when the show up start eating Elmers glue with a popsickle stick when you are talking to them. haha The fine just might be less then buying all the permits/blue prints/legal fees. IMO.

I got invited to a commision meeting in my town because I was tearing down a house which I bought and had not been lived in for ten years. I tried to pull a permit and they wouldn't let me since I was not a contractor. The city pulled the electrical and a plumber capped the sewer line. I was reclaiming most of the wood while I deconstructecd it. The permit cost $12.50. I asked what the cost was if I didn't pull a permit and they said twice the cost of the permit. $25.00!!! Really. cost the city several hundred dollars to fight with me over a $12.50 permit.

 

my buddys house was built in 1880. he did a full foundation, all new electrical and sheetrocked the interior. new porch, working on a new bathroom. it isn't even listed as a house on the last appraisal, but rather a "barn and storage building".

so if your house looks like an abandoned falling down 130 year old building and you rebuild it only on the inside you don't need any permits. that's a new rule I just made up.

 

Actuallty my new old house was built in 1901. I was waiting for roofers the first part of the week the storm that no one heard about took my roof in july. I got stood up by the roofing contractor I guess they'll be un next week.

Anyway long story short I was sitting on my front porch tuesday evening and met the mayor of the little burg that the place is in. He wanted to know who was there at that old house that no one lived in so I told him I bought it last year and was working a little at a time on it. He was pretty stoked, I think he is the right age to be stoked, anyway the conversation rolled around to local codes and permits. He pointed out to me that I didn't need to pull any permits and codes in that town were pretty lax they just wanted people to fix up the old houses and live in them as opposed to moving away to the city.

I thought about asking of the town had a fund to help ol fellas fix up old houses but I figured I probably hadn't better puch my luck.

 

Depends how good your neighbors are. I built mine and have never had any issues. Build here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36321&highlight=small+fab+shop

Got my Hudson in there now.

 

I just went thru this last year on a home addition. From why I was told by several "friends" was the permit process was hell. First step was to go thru the county website and see what was required for a building permit. Once I gathered everything a visit to the county offices. I instantly explained this was my first attempt doing this so wasn't sure if everything was in order and in fact had not gotten a plot map. The clerk was amazingly helpful and went into their vault and found a plot map and we sketched the changes into it. She gave me a preliminary buy-off. then it went to their engineers and waited for a further buy-in from county health (septic buyoff) and in a week or so permit was issued. Other than the wallet bite the whole process was really pretty painless. The electrical permit was even easier.

One can try and get by w/out a permit. Just not worth it. It really could affect a future home sale and probably turn away a lot of potential buyers.

And as the project goes thru different inspection process buy-offs ask the inspectors any questions you have regarding code. They really appreciate it as it shows you're trying to do the right thing. And it could save you some serious change.

My 2 cents,

I believe that once again I've reached the 1000 post mark, will have to find something special HAMB appreciated item to raffle off.

 

The rules are different everywhere.

Here in KC you have to build a new plot plan complete with property discription beginning at the POC and signed and sealed by a professional surveyor. Nothing sketched into an old plan is accepted. Your new plot plan needs to have all current right of ways and easments as well.

Then along with that you need blue prints signed and sealed by an architect unless it is a utility change in which case it needs to be signed and sealed by a PE.

I am so jazzed by the fact that my remodel is in a little town in the middle of no where. Life is good for the '******, always is.

 

Screw em!!! I built a ton of **** without a permit. If and whenever I get caught, then I will pay. It happened before on my 900 sf detatched garage and two story shed thats about 400sf. I just paid the permit, ****ed up to the inspectors and it was wasy easier than going through the permit process first hand and getting all the inspections. Just build it overkill and call it good.

 

As others have noted, not asking the right questions about your town or county's construction regulations can cost you a lot of time and money. Case-in-point: A neighbor down the block has a fancy masonry and wrought iron fence around the property line. A few months ago, he put up a big-***, ****-ugly wrought iron arch over the driveway. It looked like lipstick on a pig and the neighbors all hated it, but everyone here kind of has a live-and-let-live at***ude and let it slide. About a month after the arch went up, I noticed that it was gone. I spoke with another neighbor about it and learned that it was erected too close to the property line and city sidewalk and didn't meet the local code. The owner had to have it removed ... I'm sure he's sorry he wasted $5 or 6,000 on the ironwork by not doing his due-diligence on local codes.

 

Geez you got a computer, just about every municipality and podunk town in the country has it **** online these days, even if it's only their phone number. Look it up read it or give them a call.

I called my town, and asked about permits for storage buildings, no permit needed on any thing 100 square feet nd under, next question, any limit on how many you can have? the answer was within reason. (pretty vague)

So I have 2 9x12 storage buildings built really, really close together, but they are completely seperatable and self standing, all they would need is a couple of walls built....

So my working space is 12x18, one end 7 foot at the eaves the other 9, and currently holds my lawn tractor, push mower, AH Sprite, and motorcycle along with three bikes a sunfish sail boat garden tools and a couple stacks of tires. Shoulda gone 10 x 10 but I wanted some wiggle room.

 

As 59bones mentioned, the zoning is what you need to find out about mostly. That is what you can build where and getting planning approval for it. It won't matter much how well something is built if the city or neighbor has a problem with that part of it. If you build something that isn't allowed by the planning codes at all or too big or in the wrong place or even out of the wrong materials, they very likely might just make you take it all down and pay all of the fines.

Now a tin carport on a existing slab doesn't sound like much of a risk or cost loss if they did come after you. You probably could just unbolt it and have it down in a day if needed. I'd go ask and if it sounds easy follow through and just get a permit. If you start smelling pain in the ***ness but nothing scary risky, then maybe just put it up quietly and be nice to your neighbors. You should be nice to your neighbors anyway.

Sometimes it is easier to just play by the rules so you don't need to worry about it in the future and sometimes it is just better to do the best you can and then play nice and knowing it is occasionally better to ask for gracious forgiveness after than permission before. Maybe just ask your closest neighbors if it is ok since they will know about it anyway. Just giving them the respect and courtesy of asking them directly might prevent 90% of your potential problems.