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Small Cabin Forum / Properties / Pre existing structures

Author	Message
Richard Member	# Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:03pm Reply  I have inherited a great deal of land up in muskoka near huntsville and would like to build a small home. I am familiar with the minimum build requirements but was wondering how feasible it would be to fix up the pre exisiting garage. its about 250 square feet and in great shape. Ive been camping inside of it the last few years and really would like to make this a livable off grid structure. solar, woodstove. etc How legal is this? Can it be grandfathered in? ANY HELP |HERE IS AMAZING
bldginsp Member	# Posted: 26 Feb 2014 06:51pm - Edited by: bldginsp Reply  A garage is a different occupancy from a dwelling. It's a utility building, not a residence. There really is no such thing as 'grandfathered in', either the garage was built with a permit or it wasn't. If it was, it was permitted as a garage, not a residence, so if you want to change it to a residence legally, you would need to get a permit to change the occupancy classification of the building, and bring it up to code for residences. How much they would want you to do in order to do so varies greatly from area to area. You can simply go in and ask them, in all likelihood they will try to help you. But, if they won't allow it, or the requirements are too expensive for you, you have just put yourself on their radar which may make it harder for you to 'camp' in the garage as you have.
Truecabin Member	# Posted: 1 Mar 2014 07:15pm - Edited by: Truecabin Reply  if you dont put a lot of money in it and not visible from public roads theres not much risk but dont blab about it. i bet it could get tiring trying to lay low in your primary home for example insurance might be difficult or impossible and will the fire truck come out there? i bet they won't let you upgrade it to a home the answer is already no no sense even asking if it already has an address and if you will be offgrid and hidden from public view i would just do it
Richard Member	# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 07:15pm Reply  I believe I will do an inexpensive upgrade.. 2000 max. Not to great of risk that way Thanks. Ill post pics on my way

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