Off the Grid Sustainable Housing Options
Finding A Site for Your Off-Grid Paradise
When looking for inexpensive land to build your off-grid home problems can arise as building codes are often overly restrictive and make it difficult to build with alternative materials such as earth bags, straw bales or alternate utility, septic or plumbing systems. There are some parts of the United States that have very few code barriers.
Its always best to check your local building department and find out if they are open to alternative building designs. For example, Delta County, Colorado is one of 11 or so counties in the state with no adopted building code.
Dealing with building codes can be a major hurdle for those who want to build with natural materials, especially if there is anything experimental about the design concept or building technology. Building codes tend to be extremely specific about what materials may be used where and in what way. Little is really left to the discretion of the builder. Sure, design elements can vary, but they all must fit within certain parameters that regulate every aspect of building, from the nature of the foundation, to the size and placement of windows, to what materials may be used to create the shell. The Uniform Building Code and the International Residential Code does provide for the discretion of the inspector to allow different interpretations of the code, if he feels that the intent of the code is met. This degree of micro-management can easily squelch innovation in building technologies, innovation which is vital to evolving what I would call sustainable architecture.
In 2008 the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in conjunction with the International Code Council (ICC) developed a new National Green Building Standard. This has also been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which is a first for this organization. This Green Home Building Standard is similar to the LEED process for evaluating and certifying homes, but is probably less costly to perform. It does rely on independent inspections to verify claims that are made. These standards will help home buyers realize just how green the claims might be for any given home they might be considering to purchase. This new standard for evaluating the "greenness" of buildings is a giant step in the right direction. (“http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/building_codes.htm#books/“ nod., Para 1-5).
Figure 1: Displaying your building permit at all times will ensure your home project will not be red-tagged.
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Building Codes for Your Off-Grid Paradise
Why are their Building codes? There are multiple reasons and safety seems to be first on the list, fraud
protection is another reason, and lastly (perhaps most important) is the safety liability of cities, local and
federal governments for issuing permits. The fact remains the government is partially legally liable for
the buildings they issue permits for. The contractor(s) are also liable if they do not adhere to building
codes and having a standard building code protects cons When looking for inexpensive land to build
your off-grid home problems can arise as building codes are often overly restrictive and make it difficult to build with alternative materials such as earth bags, straw bales or alternate utility, septic or plumbing systems. There are some parts of the United States that have very few code barriers.Its always best to check your local building department and find out if they are open to alternative building designs. For example, Delta County, Colorado is one of 11 or so counties in the state with no adopted building code.
Dealing with building codes can be a major hurdle for those who want to build with natural materials, especially if there is anything experimental about the design concept or building technology. Building codes tend to be extremely specific about what materials may be used where and in what way. Little is really left to the discretion of the builder. Sure, design elements can vary, but they all must fit within certain parameters that regulate every aspect of building, from the nature of the foundation, to the size and placement of windows, to what materials may be used to create the shell. The Uniform Building Code and the International Residential Code does provide for the discretion of the inspector to allow different interpretations of the code, if he feels that the umers from fraud by illegitimate contractors and shoddy workmanship. Building codes have pros and cons like anything. They have positive and negative effects and should be weighed with a bit of common sense and empathy, as well as an almost objective look at the law. The problem is when government is above everything, including humanity they may lose their empathy and with that their common sense and ultimately their humanity. They forget that people need to live, and they fail to realize there ARE MANY WAYS TO DESIGN A HOUSE.
The Oppressive Effects of Building Codes
Building codes have a direct and verifiable negative effect on innovation and the advancement of building science and technology. The negative side of building codes is that they hinder and discourage new ideas, and stifles growth of building techniques that don’t meet the “IDEA” of normal and it’s human nature to want to classify and standardize and label things. Standardization is a good thing but there needs to be more exceptions with regard to building codes for constructing alternative housing as it will be able to house more people and keep home costs more affordable.
There should be a universal, national, and international, experimental building code variance/clause that allows home builders to experiment with building techniques at their own expense.
Perhaps designers should put forward a bill on the national level which will allow for building of all kinds of different residential homes and shelters. One that opens up the currently closed building code system. One that allows for innovation and ideas, while still preserving the safety and well being of inhabitants. This can START as a simple building code waiver. A waiver removing the city and all persons or entities from liability from building an alternative home design.(“https://www.offgridworld.com/building-your-off-grid-home-with-no-building-code-restrictions/“ nod., Para 1-4).
Figure 1: (Left) A Tiny house community of homes smaller than 700 s.f. without setbacks and using off-grid technologies https://www.offgridworld.com
Figure 2: (Right) An Earth-Sheltered Home that may not meet all traditional building codes. https://www.earthhome.com
Finding A Site for Your Off-Grid Paradise: Things to Consider
A spirit of independence and a commitment to a sustainable lifestyle is required to make a successful go of off-grid living. You won’t escape society entirely; even self-sufficient residents pay property taxes. Living off grid means different things to different people. Some want modern conveniences and large power-generating stations. Others are happier taking a step back in time and living with rustic forms of heating and food storage. Going off-grid can be an expensive proposition if you try to replace all the modern amenities you now have. If you don’t mind hard work, sacrifice and jack rabbits as your nearest neighbors, an off-gird lifestyle might be worth looking into.
The Right Site: The best spot for an off-grid home is in a remote region where building codes don’t apply or are more flexible. This doesn’t mean you have to buy an isolated lot at the top of a rugged mountain. Look for sparsely populated counties in regions where you like the climate and scenery. A quick call to the county building authority will determine whether restrictive codes and covenants exist. You need legal access as well. During the purchase of the land, make sure you will always have a legal right to use any existing roads, paths or waterways to reach your land.
Power Generation System: With today’s alternate power technology, off-grid residents can generate their own electricity, but power systems can be expensive and they require the use of large batteries for energy storage. A sustainable power source depends upon the geography of the lot. High trees can block the wind, making a wind turbine unsuitable, and southern exposure is necessary to power a solar system. To use hydropower, the lot must have an all-season river or creek. On a calm or cloudy day, wind and solar systems won’t produce energy. Running the refrigerator, water heater and stove on propane, and using wood to produce heat, will conserve electricity. It’s also a good idea to invest in a backup generator. Through 2016 and maybe longer, taxpayers can receive an energy credit when filing their income taxes for installing some types of renewable energy systems.
Water Collection System: A site with a reliable water supply is essential to off-grid living, and buyers can stipulate finding potable water on the property as a contingency of their land-buying contract. A drilled water well is standard and requires the use of a pump and a large collection tank for water storage. Wells used for drinking water should be regularly tested and treated, if necessary, to ensure water safety. Rain barrels can supplement supply, especially for gardening needs, or depending on your location's annual rainfall, provide most or all of the water for household needs. Collecting rainwater may have bacteria or other pollutant and will necessitate the use of water filtration and purification system which might require additional solar power units to operate.
Waste Disposal System: Even in areas without building codes, you’ll probably run into sewage regulations. Indiscriminately disposing of waste isn’t healthy for anyone and most local health departments, in addition to the Environmental Protection Agency, require safe waste disposal. Allowable off-grid options include septic tanks with buried leach fields and open-air lagoon pits. Composting toilets are acceptable in many regions. Personal septic systems require ongoing maintenance and inspections to keep them functioning correctly. (“http://homeguides.sfgate.com/five-things-need-live-off-grid-79744.html/“ nod., Para 1-6).
Things to Consider:
•When deciding if it is cost effective for you to live off grid you need to consider both what your needs are and what luxuries' you can give up.
•Where will you work: Can you work in a remote area, work online or find ways to sell or barter to survive and pay any bills or property taxes.
•Find a affordable piece of land and make sure any codes or restrictions are compatible with your off grid design.
•If you live in a remote area find a way to stock up on food and resources, gasoline, propane etc so you can minimize the amount of big trips to the nearest large city. Try and stay at least 150-200 miles to a nearest big city for convenience.
•You will find that it might be easier than you think to give up many of the so called necessities that we have to be able to live with piece of mind and simplicity of life.
•One thing to consider is combining resources with a group of friend and buy a big piece of property and use shared septic, plumbing, water and electrical systems for power and create your own Eco-Village or considering joining or buying into an existing Eco-Village as there are many of them springing up in states like, California, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Colorado most notably.