Add workshop to side of house

[darryl]

Well, here's the latest- I can't use the space I was planning to because it doesn't meet the setback requirements. I have 33 ft from the road to the side of the house, but only 12 ft from the house to the property line. Under normal circumstances, I could build nearly 9 ft out, leaving the 1 meter setback, but because this is a corner property, the side of the house is right at the limit already.

The zoning has changed, so now I have a 60 sq meter limit on the size of an out building. In terms that I can understand, that's more than 500 sq ft. The previous limit was 100 sq ft. So- provided I'm allowed to build on an existing slab- I can tear down the old garden shed and re-build it. The city has left this up to a contractor regarding the use of the existing slab.

I'm well within the 40% land coverage limit for my lot, so from here it's looking good. On this slab I can go 24 x 14 for the new 'garden shed', so I'm still within my limitations size wise. The gray area is whether a contractor will build on the existing slab. Since I would be the contractor- and I know the slab because I put it there- this looks like a green light for me.

And this is interesting- when I stepped this out two days ago, my boat was still at the side of the house. Today it's not there---

[reggie_obe]

Well, here's the latest- I can't use the space I was planning to because it doesn't meet the setback requirements. ................

You can't apply for a zoning variance on the setback requirement?
Worst case scenario, you lose.

Have an artist's rendering of the addition, showing how it doesn't spoil the "view", matches the architecture of the existing structure, similar lines, materials, finishes, etc. and doesn't de-value the adjoining lot, etc. etc.

[RancherBill]

....There is one snag- on the wall at that end of the house is where the electric meter is. What is the likelihood I can leave it there?ft.
...

My main question is whether I need to move the meter, or have it moved.

I believe you have to have the meter on the outside. In a fire the Fire Department has to be able to turn off the power.

You will have to read the Electrical Code along with BC additions. I go to the library where I live and they have a copy.

[darryl]

I could apply for a variance- but I'd be asking for the full width of the addition, so they said the answer is probably no. That's fine- I abandoned that side of the house, and am favoring the existing slab- I talked to the city again today, and they gave me virtual approval to rebuild the garden shed at maximum 60 sq meters, on the existing slab. I have paperwork to fill out, and they will send somebody to verify the conditions and say yes or no- if they say no, it will be because there's no perimeter foundation- but there is a cure for that according to both a contractor I talked to, and the city guy. Because this can be called a shop/shed, the slab on ground with no foundation should be ok since it's a reinforced slab. They are prepared to take my word for this, and the suggestion is that as long as it's more than 4 inches of concrete they will pass it. It's looking good for me.

The required setback from the property line is 1.6 meters, and when the slab went in it was 1 meter. I will be building the walls inwards from the edge of the slab, so I can meet that spec. I could get a variance for that, but it would mean that the wall facing the property line would have to have a 45 minute fire rating. I want to be in from the edge of the slab anyway, to leave the extra support. It looks like it's all good at this point.

[rws]

Comment about the meter...a meter typically has the power lines going in and out and those wires are unfused. In a commercial building (where meters are in an electric room, the unfused wiring has to be either in rigid steel conduit, or the conduit must be encased in concrete. This is in the US, but it's just a comment.

Building codes can be tricky. I applied for a business license to do gun work in my home. It was turned down, the inspector said the business had to have fire rated walls between the business and residence. I spoke with an Architect friend, and there is a varience in the (then new) Universal Building Code, which allowed a business space could be up to 10% of building space. I asked the inspector to come to my home, I showed him the code book, and he agreed to allow the permit, all I had to do was install a smoke detector that was linked to another detector, so if one went off the other would too. One in the shop and one in the living space, and that was enough.

[lakeside53]

I would be very surprised if they let you keep the meter on the inside.

“Meter readers” aside, that is basically a disconnect point for your house to the main grid. Someone at some point may need access to pull that meter and isolate your house.

That depends... CT meters (like mine) are not a disconnect. Infact there is a label on it warning that it is not for those assuming it is

[oxford]

That depends... CT meters (like mine) are not a disconnect. Infact there is a label on it warning that it is not for those assuming it is

I agree that they are not a “disconnect, I was referring more to emergency situations. Something like power is out and lineman think someone is back feeding the grid with a generator, they will pull meters. Same with what Jerry mentioned about fire personal. May also yank it in a flooded basement situation where the main panel is down there.