jdmar
Gold Member
OK, so I have not updated my barn project...here's why.
I went to the Building Dept. before I started building to check on what I needed to do. They said I do NOT need them since I live in a township and am building an AG building. I would need them for electric and to get that permit when I was ready. I then got zoning approval from my township. I also got a "house number/address" that I needed to get the electric started.
I recently went to get my electric inspection. They now say not only can't I get electric but that they won't inspect a building that I am not even allowed to build where I built it!! It is in a zone A (100 year)flood plain. Well I knew this when I built...it is the only spot I have and the building was designed to resist flooding...it is only a barn after all. The building dept gave me no direction on how to resolve this issue. I went back to zoning and they still say it is no problem having the building there. The electric company already put the line 700' off the road underground to a transformer only 75' from my barn. But I can't get the electric hooked up without approval from the builinding dept. I don't want a generator since that limits security lighting, security systems, heating, etc.
I checked Ohio revised code and I am not subject to any building code since it is an AG building. But I think that flood provisions may override this. Maybe I have a personal interest but I would think it is appropriate for the building or zoning depts to tell me this when I went seeking their advice and approvals. i.e. "Hey, Bud. Lets see if you're in a flood zone before I turn ya loose."
I have now read much of FEMA/NIFP papers and they do not specifically exempt AG buildings but do seem to exempt "accessory buildings" that will not be lived in. But again the local people do not agree. I actually talked to FEMA and the Amry Corps of Engineers and both seem to think I am not being treated correctly in the spirit of the law if not the letter of the law. But they don't hook up my electric!
Has anyone come across this or have "special flood knowledge." I think If I can show that my barn floor is above BFE(base flood elevation) I can then get approval. But I really don't want to hire a surveyer, an engineer, and an attorney if I can help it. They will cost more than a good diesel generator! Any ideas/help/knowledge would be great.
Peter
I went to the Building Dept. before I started building to check on what I needed to do. They said I do NOT need them since I live in a township and am building an AG building. I would need them for electric and to get that permit when I was ready. I then got zoning approval from my township. I also got a "house number/address" that I needed to get the electric started.
I recently went to get my electric inspection. They now say not only can't I get electric but that they won't inspect a building that I am not even allowed to build where I built it!! It is in a zone A (100 year)flood plain. Well I knew this when I built...it is the only spot I have and the building was designed to resist flooding...it is only a barn after all. The building dept gave me no direction on how to resolve this issue. I went back to zoning and they still say it is no problem having the building there. The electric company already put the line 700' off the road underground to a transformer only 75' from my barn. But I can't get the electric hooked up without approval from the builinding dept. I don't want a generator since that limits security lighting, security systems, heating, etc.
I checked Ohio revised code and I am not subject to any building code since it is an AG building. But I think that flood provisions may override this. Maybe I have a personal interest but I would think it is appropriate for the building or zoning depts to tell me this when I went seeking their advice and approvals. i.e. "Hey, Bud. Lets see if you're in a flood zone before I turn ya loose."
I have now read much of FEMA/NIFP papers and they do not specifically exempt AG buildings but do seem to exempt "accessory buildings" that will not be lived in. But again the local people do not agree. I actually talked to FEMA and the Amry Corps of Engineers and both seem to think I am not being treated correctly in the spirit of the law if not the letter of the law. But they don't hook up my electric!
Has anyone come across this or have "special flood knowledge." I think If I can show that my barn floor is above BFE(base flood elevation) I can then get approval. But I really don't want to hire a surveyer, an engineer, and an attorney if I can help it. They will cost more than a good diesel generator! Any ideas/help/knowledge would be great.
Peter