Check your zoning laws
OFF GRID PERMIT?
- Thread starter tomy2
- Start date
12VoltInstalls
life passes by too quickly to not live in freedom
???
This is Vermont where I live.
Very few zoning jurisdictions to violate property owners rights outside of citified places.
Pretty hard to build a house if 25% of the trees were left behind…
OffGridInTheCity
Solar Wizard
A couple of years ago I wanted to locate where my sewer line ran under my back yard. I did an online inter-agency request for a locator - but then found it myself and canceled the request. I had a contractor over and the fence gate was open. A few days later, a guy just walked onto my property and started looking all around (with me + contractor right there) at my project and I said I cancelled it and he said agressively "I just wanted to see what was going on". He had internet company logo clothing (no equipment for sewer pipe location)!
In San Jose in the 90s, we had a fence but wasn't locked. On 2 occasions over a few years we found people just walked thru the gate and looked around the back yard.
This is why we keep a secured, locked fence with water/gas/power meters just outside the fence - some of these folks feel entitled to flat-out trespass and snoop. Of course I'm in the city and can reasonably fence the whole property.
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12VoltInstalls
life passes by too quickly to not live in freedom
And buy a couple ‘game cameras’ that text out the photos when they gets a-triggered.
It would never cross my mind to wander onto property and scope out what was there. That seems so wrong.
Rednecktek
Solar Wizard
Sadly, I've spent soooo much time UN-cluster-frakking wiring at my camp and various places I've worked.I would expect no less with a username I like that.
tomy2
escape artist
To locate the rafters, I go in the attic and drill a small holes alongside of the rafters and stick a long wood toothpick up thru the roof. Two holes six feet apart per rafter so you can use them to snap a line along the full length of the rafter. Once everything is laid out, just cut off the excess toothpick and squeeze a dab of caulk over it. Works great on asphalt roofs and no leaks.
OffGridInTheCity
Solar Wizard
Another tip.... When installing solar panel rail mounts - from the outside - my contractor banged the roof to get approximate location of the rafters and then screwed in (pretty long construction screws) at 30deg'ish angles (instead of straight) to increase the chances of sinking into the rafter.
12VoltInstalls
life passes by too quickly to not live in freedom
or just drive a nail
tomy2
escape artist
the wood toothpick will expand and fill the hole if any moisture gets there....
Daddy Tanuki
Solar Wizard
if thats the concern why not drill the hole so small that the toothpick ends up as an interference fit and then coat it with wood glue when you stuff it in the hole? this would guarantee the sealing especially with the caulk on the top from the outside.
12VoltInstalls
life passes by too quickly to not live in freedom
I have more faith in polyurethane sealant. Or lexel in a pinch.
Toothpicks won’t work below the waterline in a boat (maybe a wooden boat though I’d still install it wet) but polyurethane does. And it won’t rot or dry out and break down in the sun.
chadjones99
chadjones LLC
One thing to consider. If they are NOT affixed to your property then no permit or inspection would be required. Think of it as plugging in a off-grid portable generator ... they don't inspect that. now, how would you mount them where they are not considered affixed? 1) mount on the roof of a Sea Container 2) mount on their own ( metal ) racks on the ground, etc , etc Just saying just food for thought . I did this at my old house in AZ and sold it with no issues too
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Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
That is an interesting concept. If they are not affixed, how does one prevent them from blowing away in a breeze? On the other hand adding a circuit does require a building permit in most jurisdictions. I do not know of a way to install an off grid system without adding a circuit?
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chadjones99
chadjones LLC
WOW, are you kidding me you don't understand what I said? having something affixed to your property means attached to your house OR permit affixture to your land like cemented into the ground. The ground mount system that I posted a picture of in my post above showing an example was attached with short rebar so it would NOT blow away. Also, another example I used was attached to the roof of a shipping container box which weight is about 8000 lbs but not a permit building cause it just sits on your land ( like a car does and they don't blow away )
And your comment about code .. well you don't have to have a code inspection for NONE affixed components just like I said using the example of a generator ... Also the O.P. said he did not want to have code people come out... I did a large solar install in colorado for an off-grid cabin while it was being built and the code inspector was out a few times during the build, he said if it's not affixed and plugs into the house like a generator does then he doesn't care about it. IF all this was above your head you probably don't need to be doing any solar work yourself ...
chadjones99
chadjones LLC
also, check this out, its a trailer so its consider a vehicle no code inspection... plugs in just like a generator ( this is just another example ) see picture. oh and it has a pass-through generator
Ampster look a circuit connected to our house without adding it as affixed
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Nobodybusiness
Solar Sponge.
This kinda how I got away with it.
Had Transfer switch permitted to a Generator then switched out generator for Solar.
Works so far.
pablo131
New Member
Glad i live in the UK. @smug.com
Rednecktek
Solar Wizard
As an example, when my dad built his carport he put the legs on large casters and wired up a plug on the wall above the garage. Since the carport wasn't attached to the structure or permanently mounted it didn't require a permit and doesn't affect the square footage of the house for property taxes. Since he just added an outlet which doesn't need a permit and plugs all the lights into the outlet it also doesn't require an electrical inspection.
Loopholes my friend, loopholes. ?
Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
It all depends on what the building code says.
Each jurisdiction is different. My jurisdiction allows patio covers and carports without a permit. Mine was affixed to the house and did not required a permit. Later I put solar panels on it but installed them and wired them according to code.
I am not adverse to bending the rules. It is a question of how much risk one is willing to take.
Each jurisdiction is different. My jurisdiction allows patio covers and carports without a permit. Mine was affixed to the house and did not required a permit. Later I put solar panels on it but installed them and wired them according to code.
I am not adverse to bending the rules. It is a question of how much risk one is willing to take.
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Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
I was not trying to be critical of your installation or to change your mind. My comment was for the benefit of other readers.
OffGridInTheCity
Solar Wizard
Yes, I took it that way and agree with you comments. I view this forum as a platform to *share* in case it assists others in their own DIY decisions. It's not about judging anyone.
In my case, I did a fully permitted off-grid system and then... used the 'homeowner may extend their own circuits rule' (in my jurisdiction) along with a backyard ground array (didn't need permits) to increase overall power production.
Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
That is a good point, I will have to see if my County has that rule.
OffGridInTheCity
Solar Wizard
In my area, they will advise you (with a serious look) that pulling a permit 'is best' to extend circuits but it's not actually a requirement the way other permits are
Is he living in tornado alley? That setup up weighs a couple of hundred pounds. A breeze is unlikely to blow them away. Otherwise, he could simply use some 15" drill-in tent stakes and straps to keep his rack on the ground.
If you look closely, he’s using rebar at an angle, kind of like a tent stake.
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