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Onkokovoko
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2025 12:52am
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Hi all,
[Proviso: I know that local laws differ greatly, but I would like to see if there is a general consensus or shared experience on this.]
I own property in an unorganized township in Canada. We have a cabin on the property with a beautiful view of Lake Huron, but the cabin is very very old. It is also very close to the water; closer than would be allowed if it were a new build. It's a cedar round cabin that sits on some stone, but basically it's on the ground. It's about 15x15 feet.
I want to "renovate" by effectively building a new cabin that uses three of the old cabin walls for a side porch.
I've heard a lot about the "one original wall" idea, but what does it really mean? Can the wall be lifted for better footings underneath? Can it be moved temporarily and put back? Can it be taken apart like Lincoln logs and rebuilt later? Can it be moved back?
I ask mainly, and obviously, because I want things to be easy, but also because I would like to make the new cabin *more* compliant by moving it back about 10 feet. But I fear that maybe an "original wall" means just that.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2025 05:47am
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Ask the people who are going to give you the big fine if you do it wrong. Because I'd you dont and you tell them "well some people on the internet said" they will prob laugh.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2025 09:04am
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Ask the local authority what you can do and must do.
Very likely if you move it it then counts as new...
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razmichael
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2025 10:05am - Edited by: razmichael
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I’ll add to do as much research as you can both overall building code and Ontario building code then dig into the local bylaws (I realize asking here is a kind of research but likely a bit too general). It should all be available online and if local bylaws are not - ask for them. Then go ask. When I built (Quebec) I got a few “you can’t do that” answers where I could point to provincial codes that said I could and asked to see where local rules said I could not. Surprising how many times the answer changed. Do it all nicely and professional as it makes everything later go much smoother.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2025 11:19am
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All good suggestions! but just for thought:
You could leave the wall farthest from the shore and build the new up shore from that? And after a good bit maybe 'rebuild' the once original wall....
That would get you some extra distance 'uphill' anyway and if it makes you compliant with the regs even better.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2025 04:27pm
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Highly doubt there going to allow a whole new foundation to be built and fall under this type of guideline. But if it dosnt you may just need a permit and it may not even be that big of a deal...you just need to call and find out.
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spencerin
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2025 10:42pm - Edited by: spencerin
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In what context, or in what code, specifically does this phrase appear for you?
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