Quote:
Originally Posted by lapka
How exactly did you find this piece of land and a cabin? Is there some section in real estate, or how did you buy it? Is the cabin legal?
I mean at least in my country it is not so easy. You need a ton of permits even for a tent and more for something with solid walls.
Very cool living. I am soooooo jelly.
I used Zillow.
I looked at other plots: 13 acres for $13,000 seemed awesome until I tried to get to it. It was landlocked by other properties, accessed by an easement, on a steep grade. Another place, too far down a seasonal road (unplowed in winter).
When I found this place, it was covered in snow. Looked flat, I liked the location. Called the listing agent and talked to him, made an offer.
This is all -- and here's where it differs from a lot of off-grid setups -- this should all be legal. I had to get a permit for the road and cabin; technically it's a shed, since there's no utilities running to it. While there's probably some not-totally-above-board parts to me living FT in it, the structure, land, road, etc., are all legit.
But you're right, in that people trying to do this often run into regulatory issues. There is no zoning here, which helps. But I did file for and get permits.
If you live in a big city, you'll understand how shocking this was: Receiving permits took three days, even counting in the mail.