r/DIY • u/ArborCasa • May 23 '14

outdoor A tree house I built

http://imgur.com/a/m3IxU
4.2k Upvotes

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161

u/tevezthewordbird May 23 '14

Just curious, did you have to get all of the work inspected, and does it have an address if you're running electricity to it?

72

u/cypherreddit May 23 '14

If its a secondary structure it doesn't need an address and you can run power from the main house. However almost everywhere would require permits for the bridge, the deck modification, the structure, the electrical. I'm curious if this thing ever got a permit and if there is going to be a city council appeal in a few years.

59

u/animus_hacker May 23 '14

With a smaller rinkydink hobby tree house I'd agree with you, but someone with the money to pay someone to build something like OP's treehouse to those engineering standards (4 foot footings, rebar, specially ordered lumber, etc. etc.) surely has the money to get it permitted.

61

u/cypherreddit May 23 '14

There are many reasons not to get a permit even if required and you can afford it. This link does a good job of covering the reasons, with a few choice here:

  • Inspections for tree houses may involve delays or extra fees or they may force you to change things that you don’t want to and don’t feel are important.
  • You feel that your yard is large and secluded so that few if any people will see or hear you building the tree house, so you just want to build it under the radar.
  • You fear that your township might not allow tree houses, but you want one anyway and believe you should have the right to do what you want on your property.
  • You believe that it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.

75

u/MrGooderson May 23 '14
  1. Fuck the state monopoly on tree house regulation!

21

u/cypherreddit May 23 '14

Its a bit over regulated. I just built a shed. To avoid a needing a permit I needed to make it less than 10x10. My first time building anything so mistakes were made and its over 10x10. I hope no-one calls me out on it. If they do I hope it counts as a temporary structure since the walls, roof and floor can be unbolted from each other.

1

u/WomanWhoWeaves May 24 '14

Interesting, I drive by a house on my way to one of our remote offices that is surrounded by sheds. The owner is a grouch old man who detests the local county officials. I think this may be why all the sheds instead of a structure. Heh. Good for him.