Shed Roof Question

[Dougryan]

Hi,
Long story, but I want to provide the setup information for my question...
I'm planning a 12 x 16 shed for this summer. That's the max size shed I can build in my town before it becomes an accessory building and has much different requirements, setbacks, etc. So I have to stick to that max size.

84 lumber has a 12x16 Gable roof shed that I really like and plan to build. I have the material quotes and am ready to go. But first, I need a building permit.

The issue with the 84 lumber design is the average height of the roof. The average height = (total height - the eave height) / 2
The town has a maximum average roof height of 8' for sheds.
The 84 lumber kit has a total height of 10' 5.25" and an eave height of 7'3" so... Average Height = (10.438' - 7.25') / 2 = 8' 10 1/8"

So the standard 84 lumber design has an average roof height about 10" to high...

Options:
1 - Change rafter design to target the required average roof height.
2 - Keep rafter design and shorten walls to target the required average roof height.
3 - Combination of shorter walls and rafter design...

I don't really want to lose any of the wall/eave height, but I may have to compromise and maybe take it from 7' 3" to 6' 9" or so... but for now, I considering changing only the design of the rafters.

The standard design has a roof angle of 27 degrees which yields a pitch of 6 / 12. That's great for the northeast when snow load is a consideration.
In order to meet the average roof height of 8', I need to reduce the pitch to about 16.6 degrees and will end up with a pitch of 3.6 / 12.

So, my shed roof question is... I a 3.6 / 12 pitch a reasonable slope for my area, or would I be better off reducing the wall/eave height to achieve a better pitch? If so, what pitch would you recommend?

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Egon]

Does it have to be a peaked roof?

 

[ultrarunner]

If you have to go this route it would seem shortening the walls might increase strength as opposed to flattening the rafters.

Do you think 10" is that critical?

 

[amaxwell]

Can you ask for a variance for these plans?

 

[M5farms]

gable in the states is a roof with 2 sides and a ridge. I don't know whats available in your area but here that's a Utility shed/ portable building and we have a supplier on every corner with them already built and they set it where you want them.

here is and example of one Rent to Own Portable Storage Buildings in Alabama, Georgia & the South

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Your math is flawed, and once corrected works in your favour.

10'-5" minus 7'-3" = 3'-2" total roof height / 2 = 19". Good to go, nothing to worry about.

It would take a big honkin gambrel roof to have an average height of more than 8'

 

[Dougryan]

Sorry, my equation was incomplete... The 19" would then be added to the eave height rendering the average roof height... 7' 3" + 19" = 8' 10"
Yes, 10" is significant. The woman at town hall said it wouldn't fly.
No, it does not need to be a peaked roof.
I could request a variance. Not sure what the cost or timeline would be for that.
I've looked at the prebuilt / delivered sheds and they come out to be very expensive compared to self built stick framed. Plus, the place where I want to put the shed may not be possible to back in the trailer to drop the shed.
I think I'm stuck with adjusting the wall height and roof angle to meet the requirement.

Thank you for all of the suggestions and for double checking my math
Doug

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Thinking about this further, their average roof height clause makes no sense.

To reword their clause: Half of the total roof height must not exceed 8'.

Reworded a different way: Total roof height must not exceed twice 8'....which means a 16' high roof is legal.

So in reality, using a gambrel roof you could have a 3 story shed and still be legal (ground to eave, eave to 8' ish and from the 8'ish mark to the peak at 16' above the eave)

As soon as they throw that divide by 2 in there it's pointless. Who's going to build a 3 story 24' high shed? Oh, wait... I would just to prove the point of their clause.

BTW, I'm a licensed carpenter with my own business. Arguing the wording of building codes and bylaws is a bit of a hobby

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Typing at the same time.....lol

Adding to the eave height changes it.

 

[KennyG]

That is one of stupidest zoning/building code rules I have ever heard of. Leaving that aside, of course, I would build from scratch making it fit the rules. Do you have any concerns about a 7 foot wall height? If you go that way with a 4 in 12 slope on the rafters, you get about into compliance.

If you go to a metal roof, you can use a 3 in 12 slope with no problem. (I would hesitate to go 3 in 12 on a shingle roof in your area.)