This post may contain affiliate links.
You may remember my RV Carport project. It started last fall, and then we ran into some engineering difficulties and the project kind of stalled.
Well, we overcame the engineering difficulties (by hiring a different engineer, lol!), and the project finally started to move forward again this spring. The new plan was going to be very close to our original design, and we were happy with that. All was right with the world. We got planning and zoning approval. We got an approval for a building permit. Holes were dug and awaiting inspection before we could pour the footings. The posts were tacked in place and the cement truck was on its way…
And then…
The building inspector came and was unable to locate the property line precisely. He gave us the approval to pour, but said we’d have to mark the property line to pass final inspection. We didn’t think much of this at the time. The posts were set, and things began to go up. And up. And up. (It is 14 feet high.)
But then, we ran into a problem. We made our best guess at the property line, marked it, and called the inspector. Here’s where things get… complicated. According to the planning and zoning folks, we’re required to have a setback from the line of 3 feet. That’s what we planned on, and that’s how we built it. But, apparently, according to the building inspector, if the structure is closer than 5 feet to the property line, we’re required to have a “firewall” on the side facing the neighbor. Keep in mind this will be a FOURTEEN FOOT HIGH SOLID STUCCO WALL, three feet from the property line.
Now, I really like my neighbor, and I don’t want to put a huge solid wall that close to her house (you can see her house in the picture there). That’s one of the reasons we designed a pole-barn type structure. But apparently, my hands are tied, and unless I want to tear out the driveway and move it two feet to the left, that’s what I have to build. Not cool.
So, I’ve stopped work, and out of sheer desperation I’m hiring a Surveyor to find this property line. I’m hoping that somehow, we guessed two feet off. That’s all I’ve got at this point. Wish us luck!
