State says we CAN'T live here...a STOP to our homestead tiny cabin. 

I’m an Architect and lived in TN and got my degree there. It will become permanent doing 2 things. Fill your masonry piers with concrete and strap anchor the building to the piers. You can use Anchor Bolts too. Having permanent power is also another means of making it permanent. Finally if the county doesn’t have building inspections the code is unenforceable. The state doesn’t have code inspectors except for Electrical. They won’t illegally trespass either.

As a shed builder and dealer. It amazes me how the government being so hard on these buildings for living units tells me they would rather have people homeless.

As long as you're not hurting anyone you should be able to do what you want on YOUR LAND!

I can easily understand your anger and frustration when dealing with state or county issues. When I had a 30' x 80' workshop built I was told to stop and that I needed permission to build on my own land. They tried to use the same ploy of public safety in order to say I needed a permit. I looked up the building code and saw where public safety was the main issue, except for the fact that my land was not public in any way but was PRIVATE and that they had no lawful authority over me or my property. When I asked for proof that the code applied to me and my private property they went silent and I never heard from them again. Good luck in the future.

Moral of the story is keep the state and government out of your life as much as possible. They're scammers.

This is exactly why I chose not to youtube about many of the interesting things I'm doing on my Tennessee homestead. It's a little too late for you guys but the best advice for others is simply don't ask, don't tell, do your own thing and keep yourself off the radar. You could write your congressman and try and get the law changed but that is unlikely to work since Clayton Homes is probably a large political donor and the one that pushed the regulations through in the first place. This is a classic example of the corrupt merger of corporate and government power that surrounds us everywhere in society today.

I live in Texas. We live outside the city limits. We have no building restrictions. We love it! Building a Barndo right now.

It sure is easy for someone who has a house to deny somebody else a place to live. 💙 T.E.N.

The best "loophole".....Don't Ask, Don't tell. When you try to do the right thing, you always get screwed.

A friend of mine grew up on a farm. During WW2, his father was not allowed to put an addition to his house for his expanding family. The rules of war did allow him to build a chicken coop. So he did. Got his permits and everything. After the finished chicken coop was done and approved, he dragged it over to the house, attached, and moved in.

You already deconstructed the building and now you have it back together. Nice job ;)

I was a framing carpenter before I became an electrician. From what I'm able to see in your background I would put a concrete foundation under that "readily" moveable structure.

It’s amazing that we have people living in tents all over the country but these people can’t live there.

What's funny is that they would allow you to live out of you car or in a tent on your property, but not a "movable structure". How messed up is that?

I bought a property in a lake in northern Quebec. I slowly cleared a spot for a cabin and brought up a trailer with an enclosed porch (black flies around crazy) The municipality randomly showed up and inspected the property. I got fined for a removable dwelling, an outhouse the didn’t meet code and too many trees cut down to the waterline. I explained it was a temporary solution till I could build. They dropped that fine, I had to properly vent the outhouse and paint the inside 😂 And I have to spread grass seed to start vegetation growth on part of the hill to the lake. In the end it’s all about property taxes. I pay school taxes for a property 3 hours off any kept road…

Guys just lift it up and put it on wheels. And put a hitch on the back to where it seems that it’s movable. Good luck. I built a tiny house my self on wheels and planning on leaving in it, we had same problem you guys have

Imagine if all the cabins of early settlers had been subject to 'codes'!

After a very frustrating experience involving a greenhouse on my property, I learned to never actively involve authorities in my activities.

Me and my wife live in West Tennessee we never had any problems that’s crazy never heard of that before good luck don’t give up

Raising awareness creates space to progress forward in a productive and effective mannor to update and reform our system for optimal living conditions for all. Proud of yall for your bravery and ambition! Thank you for sharing your story!! ❤🎉

if you were to build a foundation, pick the building up and anchor it to the foundation, would that not constitute a a new build ? once the building is anchored to the foundation it is no longer a transportable building. Greetings from Australia

Pour concrete posts under it to support it and bolt the building to the posts so it is no longer a ready removal building. :You may have to have the poured concrete posts inspected. This transformation will 1. Make the building safer in strong winds 2. Disqualify the building from falling under the ready removal code. 3. NOT REQUIRE any dismantling of the building. 4. Should allow you to legally live in it again. Alternatively, there are ready made piers in about 3 pieces of concrete that are a couple hundred bucks each and can be pushed down into the ground with a house jack (there are RU-vid videos about it). All stick-built houses are bolted to their foundations to comply with codes (except maybe for some really old homes). S that is all you need-a permanent type foundation and some bolts.

Thank goodness we have the government telling us how to live. They don’t want you living in your shelter but have no problem with a homeless person living out in the open.

Chatt native here 26 yrs. Was definitely shocked to hear that mentioned lmao.

My husband was our towns building inspector here in Tennessee for a little while and he says to pour concrete into the blocks and use tie downs or lag bolt the structure to the columns, plus putting a skirting or covering around the bottom whill make it a permanent structure and no longer mobile

I own two "removable structures" here in Blount County Tennessee. They are no longer "Removable", they are listed as permanent structures as they now have permanent foundations. They both have a solid poured footer and are blocked up to the bottom of the home with steel access doors to get under the home for repair access. The state and county now shows them as married to the lot. You can come look at mine. They are properly tied down. You may possibly complete your build as a permanent structure using what you already have for a start. I do not know. I do know that mine are now permitted as permanent structures with the tax collectors office. If you can copy what was done to mine, you may be good to go. FYI the foundation was installed AFTER the homes were located on the property.

People need to vote for freedom instead of tyranny !

Petition the legislature to change this law. This is ridiculous law. Those buildings are built well. Would make a great tiny home.

It's all about making sure people don't live freely. They want you controlled, strapped with a mortgage, paying high taxes and forced to use corporate ran utilities, etc. Don't give up. Don't give in. We have a right to use our property as we please and live freely

Like the architect said, just anchor it in the ground. It makes it a permanent structure. That’s what me and wife did and got approval.

You are responsible for the maintenance of your vehicle, don't blame anyone else.

Thanks for this video! What a bummer! I'm so sorry. It just goes to show that you can do your "due diligence" and still have complications come up 😥 I hope you get this issue resolved ASAP.

Everyone needs to get together and fight for the right for these affordable houses.

As a fellow Tennesseean and engineer...consult a professional engineer in your area. Often the PE stamp circumvents a lot of red tape and for a small fee, you can move forward.

Thanks for your honesty

Thanks for the info.

Deconstruct one wall and add a room, while also permanently anchoring the whole structure. No longer removeable and you deconstructed it too. Hope it works out for y'all. 😊 ❤

The fault for a lot of homesteaders and off-grid people is they announce to the public what they're doing, such as social media.

I used to build these sheds for a company in my local area and the way they are assembled makes it very easy to take apart in panels. And if you were to do that then it would no longer be a structure. And then you could put it back together. No need to take the siding off the walls. Or the windows out.... good luck

I just happened upon one of your videos and I am now a new subscriber😃 You both seem to be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to binge watching your videos from the very beginning😊

Just remember as nice as your community/ followers are there are always going to be someone that feels the need to involve themselves in your personal business and try to mess up what you're doing

The easy option is to move it aside, put in footers and a block foundation. Then move it onto the foundation and remove the "skids" that make it moveable. While you are doing that you could install anchor bolts for wind issues like tornadoes, which will have you better than now. You could just trim the skids making them into support beams for tie down as well. Lots of final building options but bolting to a foundation removes your prime issue. Even if you do not know how, That area is fairly cheap to install footers and block. Lots of folks do it. However look at vapor barrier and drainage while doing all of this. I bet the Amish know someone.

I know a fellow in Ohio (NOT TENNESSEE) who tried to do this and had to remove his shed tiny house. He was VERY fortunate that the company he bought it from agreed to give him a partial refund, as he had already added a door, a couple of windows, and had started framing his interior walls. Because his shed was over a certain size, I believe it was 200 square feet, he was not allowed to live in it. Under 200 square feet, he could build a cabin, but not live in that full time. He did build a small cabin, under the limit. Now, several years later, he is in the process of building his home. I may have some of the details wrong, this all happened several years ago. There are problems with some sheds. Most were never built to the safety standards of homes. Their walls can be made differently, with 2x3 "studs" and 2.4 "joists." The floors can have little support. The roofs can lack enough bracing to withstand snow loads or high winds. They can have poor ventilation, no vapor barrier, or many other potentially unsafe or unhealthy problems. Sheds are not meant to be lived in. It's true, we should be able to live the way we want to live. But sometimes these rules do have a reason behind them. Building codes do make homes safer in many ways. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but those who would just put up any old thing and live in it may find out that it wasn't such a good idea in some ways. It's a pity, but if you were to follow some people's advice and just build it, the County could come in later and make you remove it, or even tear it down. I agree it doesn't make sense, when people are allowed to just throw up any old thing and live in it. On the bright side, it's usually far easier to take something apart than it is to build it. It will take you longer, but you could indeed disassemble the shed, build a solid foundation, and reassemble it. You'd probably have a better house in the end. The final result you're looking for is a safe, healthy place to live. Your shed contains the materials to do that, or at least make a very good start toward that goal. All the best to you, I hope you wind up with a place that you love for many years to come.

If you deconstruct, I suggest you lay down a foundation footing of concrete rather than having the blocks your cabin is sitting on. You will be glad you did.

Move it off the blocks to a different place on your property close to your location where you want to have your house. Then dig a basement with a bulldozer concrete floor and put in the concrete walls then put the house back on top of it. Now you have a permanent structure with extra space and a tornado shelter. or you could even put a bomb shelter underneath it and attach it to the house. Once you put it in the ground you make it a permanent foundation and a permanent house.

Another avenue: Since the county and state have no inspectors, you can hire your own certified home inspector to give you legal documentation that your residence is safe. Shouldn't be too difficult to find one of those guys for a couple hundred bucks. Your real estate company can direct you to a reputable business (they use this service all the time)

I feel for you. I’m sorry you’re going through this. It will work out.

Thanks for sharing

As someone who inspects foundations I would lean towards placing the building on what is required for a "permanent foundation" so the building is no longer "readily removeable".

I agree with the other comments. Have the lumber inspected and stamped. Then pour footings and block up to the house. Don't give up on your dream 😊

It's only "ready removable" because it has runners under it but it doesn't really need runners if it's not being moved so just remove the runner boards under the structure

I used to deliver similar buildings. If you remove the skids, they are no longer movable without considerable effort. Pour footings and add tie-down straps. Done

As a builder in KY and TN, the way we always got around this was to attach it to a solid foundation with footers. Same as mobile homes, it makes it a permanent structure instead of a mobile. I have completed 2 in scott Co. Tn. This was how we were able to classify them as permanent structure

Lesson #1, Never say where you are! When you do, you are setting yourself up to have some jack ass do their utmost to destroy your dreams!😢

Nice house! Your adding to community & State!❤😊

We lived in 2 so called cabin/sheds. You can pour a slab & use quick bolts to fasten. Or All thread rods in slab for anchors

This is America! Its hard to become free from the system that wants us to work for the rich. Keep fighting because nature is freedom.

As a recently retired Tennessee General Contractor (CIR), the permanent foundation is the first thing to do. Also, the state requires an Electrical Inspection and a State Septic Permit.

Problem: Someone who doesnt own your land says: "You cant live here!" Solution: You say: "Stop me!" Or "Fck around and find out.!"

Thanks Gov. Lee

If you own the land you should be able to do what you wish as long as it’s not a hazard or safety issue for others. It’s a great looking cabin and you’re not hurting anyone.

Maybe think outside the box? I wanted to build a shop the gov said I couldn't because I was zoned agriculture. So I redid the plans and added door on the back. Went back up and they said no you can't build said yes I can cause that is a door for the goats. Goats are agriculture and you can't stop me. Real nice shop.

Exactly what some other views relplied . 1) The shed has stamped enginerred plans - get them ! 2) Secure the piers 3) Plumbing ? Get a compostable Toilet . 4) Is there a max. size requirement ? I'm going to have to go through the same BS .

If we can’t make any piece of land a livable habitation we should then be waived a property tax fee and pay no taxes whatsoever

One option you could try is to have the wood inspected. There are inspectors for sawmills that inspect the dryness of the wood and stamp it. That seems to be what is holding you up from meeting the codes. I also agree that if it were to be permanently attached to some kind of foundation, it wouldn't be "removable." Keep your heads up and keep fighting! We are all rooting for you! ❤

Put a gate with no trespassing signs! Never let anyone on your property!

Also' like the achitect mentioned' if it is secure to the land' they cannot enforce this by law

Awesome video, guys

Remember, back in the day when the taxman charged for closets, people started building wardrobe (stand alone closets). You can still buy a wardrobe to this day and it does not count as a closet. There is always a way around stuff if you think outside the closet…er, um box. ❤

Do NOT GIVE UP or let them win! Go to the local news to ask for reconstruction help you’ll get it asap if you tell this story. Or, go offline for a few weeks, research or ask the county what accounts for rebuilding it.

disassemble the existing structure board by board. Rebuilt it by hand, as suggested by the laws that it is legal, as that seems to be the logical way to save and recoup your costs on materials. Would take longer, but your labour is free. You can make small changes to the original design at this point as you can make new cuts to the existing wood.

That was real fun disassembling that just to put it all back together. Thanks to everyone that came out to help make this building a "building"

They just passed a similar law here in my county in Florida and I think it's absolutely ridiculous. The government should not have the authority to tell you what you can and can't have on property you own. We need to start filling lawsuits against these absurd, overreaching laws.

I think a lot of homesteaders get themselves in trouble by starting a channel based on their lives. While it’s a great help to those wanting to get started, it also puts your build out there for everyone to see. There are some people I swear that have absolutely nothing better to do than watch these videos and turn people in for anything and everything. I had thought about starting a channel on rehabbing our 100 year old house into an offgrid home, but ultimately decided to keep it private for these very reasons. Well, that and all the RU-vid professionals out there.

As i was just in the Philippines, living in a houseade half of tree branches with a half steel, half nipa roof, with no code, with a kitchen they use open flame wood to cook with. I realize how "free" we are not in the USA

I'm so thankful I seen this video because this is so helpful.

File and set plans to pour a foundation for a house. Then build a sub structure to hold your mini home. It then should become a part of your "Permanent Structure".

The difference between a mobile home and manufacturer housing is that manufactured housing sets on a permanent foundation and a mobile home does not. By changing the Movable title status and make it a permanent it is no longer a movable or removable.

After reading the actual code, if you pour footings under the structure and secure it to the footings, it is no longer easily relocated. Just a thought.

Check and see if you can just pour a footer/foundation and attach it to the footer. Then it would not be a ready move structure. Thing of a way to make it a permanent structure.

Thanks!

You don't have to "live there." You can "live" in your van or RV and just make this a "shop" that you keep your furniture in. I also like the idea of anchoring it to a concrete foundation and then it is not "readily removable " any more.

This is a perfect example of looking for drama. They said you could build a house out of toothpicks. I would have left it at that and never thought about it again

Take a couple of days. With the cabin. Take the door off window frames off take the bottom board off and put it back together

Many states also have a farmstead excemption. If you have more than X acres(its 10ac in KY), you can opt to be excluded from all codes.

I really wish people could get together and come to help these people. I am a contractor and could probably get some people to pitch in. But seriously people need to get together and let's help this couple. This is the life I dream of myself someday.

You guys should form an off grid homeowners association countrywide with your own lawyers to defend use in cases like this

We are doing the same thing and we are in FL, with we was closer we would help you out by Taking a picture of you of the building. Take a completely apart exit for a few odds and ends resemble, get back up. For you. I pray and hope that you get the help that you need to continue. You're journey in life that bless youboth

Set it up on concrete piers and bolt it down, if you weld the bolt heads it's no longer "ready removable"

You may be able to hire a lumber grader to put his stamp on your lumber, to pass inspection. I run a home owner saw mill and hire a lumber grader to stamp my lumber when necessary.

This is a perfect example to why I will never let anyone know what I do on my own damn property! Had you not had a channel, or had you never asked anyone about anything, you’d probably never have a single issue.

Good luck 💯

When it comes to the lumber I was told if you get an engineer to sign off on the lumber for structural strength pertaining to it's use , you are good .

Make a concrete foundation and attach the home so that it is no longer readily removable whenever you re construct it 😊

Build a first story structure with a concrete pad and concrete block walls. Use it as a foundation for your removable structure. Pick the removable structure up and put it on top of your new foundation. It’s no longer removable structure. And you have lots of storage underneath.

Remove a few boards.. Then put them back on.. That is reconstruction enough to allow you to say you did something..

I am so sorry you guys. I wish I could help you. I lived off grid for years and recently moved back on grid. I’m working on getting back off grid because I hate the on grid lifestyle. I totally feel for you.

The lumber is far superior to what you get at stores. Bureaucracy B.S. at it's finest.🤬 Best of luck to you guys. 🐾🙏🏻✌🏻

This happened to me years ago in a much strickter state so to get around it I hired a structural engineer to write a letter saying it was a sound building. ....it worked for me

I agree with last post build a block foundation and strap down and it's no longer movable.if you are going to build onto it it has to be permanent. So post less on line and fix foundation. Good luck.