not legal in most areas, unless you live in a populated area no one is going to care as long as you keep your property neat and clean and be a good neighbor. lots of pro's such as low utility bills and upkeep. there might is a issue with power if you don't have it already. sounds like a good plan provided you plan on living alone.

 

I live in NC and I'm pretty sure it's not legal as far as code goes.

I live out in the "country" as of now and I'm pretty far back(about 1/2 mile from the main road) which is in the woods around here... on 20 acres we own surrounded by quite a bit of land the neighbors own.

Like I stated I'm in school now and living in my parents house as I'm still attending the local Community College. Just graduated high school last year so please don't think I'm in my 20's still living at home! :

I've been thinking about it for years and it seems like a great way to save up some money and live cheap but also have some comforts.

 

Mother Earth news and other publications have inexpensive cabin plans (I recall one for under $4,000)

It's the Getting the land, well, and septic which is the challenge. Not something to keep the rain off!

Keep thinking outside the box though.

 

Nomad- Land isn't the problem. My dad said he'd let me have half an acre as a grad. present. I was thinking I could hook into the well and septic tank that's already in place for the house we currently live in. How hard is it to connect all that? We have a Kobota tractor so digging the lines up wouldn't be a problem.

 

I've thought about this same thing for a while now. If you are willing to go old school you can put up an outhouse and bypass the need for a septic system. You can use a small generator to power most small things like a lamp, microwave, tv, dvd player, you can use a cell phone so u dont need a phone line put in. the only question is water and heat. If you are willing to try it, I have heard of people digging a small well and that will allow you to pump water into a small tank on the roof by hand for a shower. and a electric heater will heat up a small place and keep it warm if you put in some kind of insulation to hold the heat in. just a few thoughts lol

 

"Codes, zoning regs and legalities" will simply not matter once TSHTF.

 

another option if you are considering that, is a 40 ft long connex (ship cargo carrier). I have a 20 for storage, was thinking about getting another and found that some companies will modify it quite well for you, and you can make them into offices and such also. You can have windows, doors, a garage type sliding door, air conditioner/heater installed, vent, etc. For a basic 40 ft long connex with the double locking doors (from outside, so it wouldnt be good for living in) you can pick one up and have it delivered for under 3 grand. Lightly modified, I am sure it will be 4 or 5 at the very most, and its somewhat armored. may want to put it on railroad ties to keep it off the dirt. also has a wooden floor in it.
http://www.containersnow.com/containers/details/5/10.htm
even have aluminum ones to prevent rust. start at 1700 for the 20 ft one, to 2700 for the 45 ft aluminum.

 

I've heard of people building a Garage or barn on property, then building the house while living in the small building for a while.
I lived in a 10' X 20" shed that was tied into the Water, Sewage treatment plant, Electricity and cable TV, while the house was gutted and re-furnished inside and out.
The shed had a Toilet, Shower, Kitchen sink, multiply electrical outlets, Microwave, Bed, half size Refridgerator Window unit A/C and heater. After I moved into the house, I added a washer and dryer and it could still be used as a guest room.

 

It's kind of along the same lines as this.
http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

 

Lots of great and livable sheds out there, but also consider used camping trailers.

I have just started looking around at used travel trailers and I have seen prices for a 32 ft trailer at $3000 for a very nice one, of course that's an older one , but it has everything that you need to live in it already.

Just run a long extension cord , a water hose. And you've got home sweet home.

I am thinking about putting one on my property , for guest that want to feel some privacy while visiting.

And the best part , when you do get a real home , you can take the trailer with you.

 

Look at earth bag shelters.

 

If its near enough to your parents home then it will just look like a storage building anyway. If its hooked to their septic system and well it will just seem as it was a workshop with a toilet. Sounds like a pretty good idea to me.

 

What about a composting toilet? No line to run but it might require electricity. I also have thought of the shed idea and that is what I would do for that particular obstacle.

 

Residential build code is pretty flexible. There are a number of pages on the net about 100 sq.ft. homes people have built. Most of them look like modified sheds.

But I'm sure it depends on the state code. but more and more states are adopting the national building code, which is a modified international building code.

 

Which is nothing more than a modification of the Galactic Building Code that is mostly derived from the Universal Building Regulations set forth directly after the 'big bang'.

 

It looks great but I think planning regulations would have something to say on the matter here in the u.k.I'm not entirely sure but I don't think you can live,or let other people live in caravans or sheds in your back garden.I suppose if everybody did it,there may be hundreds of people squashed into confined spaces.Though,perhaps we have that already?:

 

Another option

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=2006_landing/Katrina_Cottage/KatrinaCottage.html

 

I purchased a pull-behind camper myself just to be ready if things go bad. I picked up a 30 year-old model for just over $1000...in good shape. When I actually am able to locate and purchase a decent rural lot of my own, I will build a decent-sized shed and inform the County in case they wish to inspect it. After that I'll start the mod for use as living quarters in case it's needed.

Good luck.

 

I'm in the process of building a 12X16 (enclosed) shed right now with attached 12X16 firewood shed. Man are materials expensive. I could easly live in the unit, I put in a 4-0 double pane slider window and am installing a metal double door.

Mostly I will be using it for cold storage, which I desperately need but could easly convert to temporary shelter. All in, the unit is going to cost about 7K but its built like a brick shat house and will match my existing house on the property.

DS

 

+1 on the travel trailer.. Folks are selling older ones all over Craigslist for around $1000.00. Just check REALLY good for leaks in the roof and around the pipes.

My BOV is an old 19' Class B RV, it looks like the front is an old Dodge van with the camper built all around it. I'm renovating the inside of mine right now and replacing all the above mentioned leaky areas. I've already got the ceiling and upper cabinets ripped out and I'm peeling the skin so I can get to the rotted wood along the top edges. I've managed to get some pretty sweet deals on cedar here locally and will be refinishing most of it with that.

Get an old trailer and then look for RV salvage yards for anything you might need for them. Lots of good deals out there.

 

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/rvs/1175004391.html

 

Personally, I would look for an older, smaller, mobile home. Already plumbed and wired, etc.

 

Not a bad idea, but then you get into the whole 'code thing' for mobile homes. I suppose it depends on the area, but some places are pretty stringent and it can cost a lot some times to move in, set and bring a mobile home up to code. Just some things to think about. If none of these things are too big of an issue, that's a good route to consider.

 

how about a tipi or yurt?it's a temporary shelter so zoning can't scream. a friend lived through a pennsylvania winter in a tipi and was very comfortable.

 

I was gonna mention a yurt as an option for a alternate site with the creature comforts. Another option I've toyed with is building an A-frame over an underground bunker for storage/security. And it can be used as a weekend getaway in the mean time which might help with the spousal acceptance factor :

Cheers
Chris in VA

 

I'll just use an army tent in the forest. My wife can like it or she can build a log cabin. I've done it in the Army and it was just fine for me... you'd be surprised what you can get used to after a while. I'd probably dig a few fox holes too.

Just wanted to add... when/if TSHTF, there will be PLENTY of available housing, food, etc. Be smart and you will be OK.

 

Our had this planned out at the end of last year or so.

we have plans for one for each family at our BOL....read about it here

http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=41964

 

You have Water and Septic? Yes.. put in a camp trailer and no one can say a word, no permit, no violations, unless a ordinance or CCRs,. limits the stay to so many days. Cheaper then your shed if you have it built in the $2500-$3000 range ad hot water tank and wireing you can see $4000 real quick on 12X20 or bigger.

 

Why not live underground? Shouldnt be any more expensive than $3000. Some concrete and rebar and a bit of plumbing and electrical. Run water in from the house and electric and have septic system set up. If you do all the work yourself it shouldnt be too bad. If not then forget it.

Those sheds are tempting. I have contemplated buying two of those and attaching them together for more space. All I would need is the land. But why when I can build a more practical application and keep it to code.