Living in my garage

[_RaT_]

Nice setup Jim. How many of you lived there?

 

[jinman]

Just me most of the time...and my girlfriend from time-to-time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I spent about 8 mos. of weekends building it and lived in it daily while my house was being built so I could be onsite to inspect the work. As long as I had my computer, I felt right at home. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif When I was going to be away for awhile, I shut off the water underground and blew air into the lines to clear out the water if it was winter and I was leaving the heat turned down. Otherwise, I routed the CPVC water lines above the ceiling but below the roof insulation. That way there was no danger of freezing. Here in Texas, outside lines can be wrapped in heater tapes and that's all you need to do. It rarely gets below the upper teens in winter. I'm sure Terry would/will have to take much more drastic measures to keep his water flowing. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Here's a picture of the only Ice we had last winter. I'm ashamed to even show it to these guys from up north. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[bgott]

How tall are the doors on that garage? Get a toilet permit and then buy an RV and stick it in the garage. Leave the toilet off, or pull it after inspection and use the toilet trap to hook up your drain hose. An RV would be a lot easier to heat if it is sheltered from the wind, security is a lot better inside a garage and it would be sheltered from any aerial photography used to spot code and zoning violations.

 

[MarkV]

Terry,

Codes vary regionally so it is hard to say what you can do in your area. In my area the real deal breaker for what you want to do is a kitchen area. You can build a pool house with bath and heat, a garage/office with bath and heat or play house with bath and heat but as soon as you say kitchen the inspectors figure you are building an apartment for renting. They do not want that.

Given that you have the camper, garage, water and sewer, why not apply for a garage office with bath and heat. Of course you are going to stay in the camper if asked. If you run a propane tank for the heat it is not much of a deal to tee off the line for a stove after the inspection. Some Home Depot cabinets, an extra wall and you are good to go. The camper is still there so who's to say where you sleep and cook.

MarkV

 

[Docsknotinn]

Jim, That sure is a nice looking piece of property ! Set out a feeder and you'll be ready for Deer season right from your front porch /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Ok ok you could build a tower blind and rough it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Dave

 

[_RaT_]

Mark, the same thing here. I think you could build a library, pool room, mud room, 8 bedrooms, 3 baths, living room, family room, great room, powder room, laundry etc., but no kitchen allowed!

 

[OkeeDon]

If your codes prohibit you from living in the garage, but let you stay outside in the camper, you have the opposite problem than me. In our area, you can't stay in a camper, because that essentially turns the neighborhood into a trailer park, and the neighbors would never stand for it. But, I could put an apartment in the "barn" without much trouble.

Besides, once you have the place plumbed for a bathroom (I'm assuming that's OK), there are all kinds of ways to set up a free-standing kitchen. Reading one of your earlier posts, you were concerned about the small town aspect of people finding out what you're doing. Once again, if I understand correctly, you're not having any problem staying in the camper - so let them think you're still doing that. Keep a light burning in the camper (even though it's winterized - how can they tell?) and put thick curtains on the garage windows.

You asked, "Where do you cross the line?" If you're looking for someone to say, "Go ahead and just do it", then I'm your man - go ahead and just do it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

That's assuming they'll hook up the water and sewer lines, install the meter or whatever, and let you at least plumb the garage for a utility bathroom. Add a shower and kitchenette after they leave.

 

[B7500]

OkeeDon,
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you're looking for someone to say, "Go ahead and just do it", then I'm your man - go ahead and just do it. )</font>
Thank you. Wheew, I needed that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
-Terry

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Mark,

It's even funnier in my county. I can have a fully equipped Martha Stewart type kitchen and everything else you'd have in a house so long as I don't have a stove. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

That's it. Without a stove it's not a home. If I hook up a stove, it is. Even the building department people laugh about that. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

In my life, with a grille, countertop cookers, microwave, etc., I can't tell you the last time I used the range, oven or broiler here. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Hambone]

I got to thinking about this, then it dawned on me. On my way home there is a girl that lives in a brick garage about 24' x 24'. It is very obvious and is right on the state road! I haved lived in this area for 3 1/2 years and she has been there every since. Maybe she doesn't have a stove?? I doubt it really.
Go ahead and do it! What are they gonna do?
You don't have to let the ascessor inside anyway.