Granny Flats in SD

[briansd1]

Insurance would not deny a claim if the addition has been documented with them before hand. Permitting and insurance are separate issues.

There is plenty of old construction that is unpermitted. I think that the need to obtain a permit is a modern thing. 1950??

Do you know that technically you need a permit to add an electrical outlet?

Here is what I would do if I lived in Mission Hills or Kensington, and a granny flat were not allowed by building codes.

Get a permit to build an attached addition as plain square footage (attached plain square foot is much easier to obtain). Hide all the sewer, and water lines for the inspection.

Then, after the fact, go back in and add the bath, kitchen, and separating walls. Just keep it quiet and don’t brag to neighbors. That might not possible if you like to socialize with your neighbors.

Simply because an addition is not fully permitted doesn’t mean that it’s not safe or built to code.

I know of people have have have done just that.

If you live in the country and have a large lot, you can build several structures on your property and nobody would be the wiser.

[TexasLine]

[quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.

[TexasLine]

[quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.

[TexasLine]

[quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.

[TexasLine]

[quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.

[TexasLine]

[quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.

[Hobie]

[quote=TexasLine][quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.[/quote]

All of your answers are at the city building department. You can view on line but it may be faster to simply drop by and ask. Some have printed pages at the counter.

The main difference between an granny flat and an accessory building is habitation. ( will you sleep, cook inside )

Each with different regulations concerning setback, sq ft, sewer size, even roof pitch! etc.

For habitation you need a 4″ sewer connection. An accessory building is allowed water with an 1 1/2″ sewer only. ( to prevent installing a toilet )

And Brian, … keep in mind that there are people in the insurance business who’s career is to say no and get bonuses for denying claims, thus saving the company $$. House build before code example is apples to oranges.

Glad we have the freedom to do as you please 😉

[Hobie]

[quote=TexasLine][quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.[/quote]

All of your answers are at the city building department. You can view on line but it may be faster to simply drop by and ask. Some have printed pages at the counter.

The main difference between an granny flat and an accessory building is habitation. ( will you sleep, cook inside )

Each with different regulations concerning setback, sq ft, sewer size, even roof pitch! etc.

For habitation you need a 4″ sewer connection. An accessory building is allowed water with an 1 1/2″ sewer only. ( to prevent installing a toilet )

And Brian, … keep in mind that there are people in the insurance business who’s career is to say no and get bonuses for denying claims, thus saving the company $$. House build before code example is apples to oranges.

Glad we have the freedom to do as you please 😉

[Hobie]

[quote=TexasLine][quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.[/quote]

All of your answers are at the city building department. You can view on line but it may be faster to simply drop by and ask. Some have printed pages at the counter.

The main difference between an granny flat and an accessory building is habitation. ( will you sleep, cook inside )

Each with different regulations concerning setback, sq ft, sewer size, even roof pitch! etc.

For habitation you need a 4″ sewer connection. An accessory building is allowed water with an 1 1/2″ sewer only. ( to prevent installing a toilet )

And Brian, … keep in mind that there are people in the insurance business who’s career is to say no and get bonuses for denying claims, thus saving the company $$. House build before code example is apples to oranges.

Glad we have the freedom to do as you please 😉

[Hobie]

[quote=TexasLine][quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.[/quote]

All of your answers are at the city building department. You can view on line but it may be faster to simply drop by and ask. Some have printed pages at the counter.

The main difference between an granny flat and an accessory building is habitation. ( will you sleep, cook inside )

Each with different regulations concerning setback, sq ft, sewer size, even roof pitch! etc.

For habitation you need a 4″ sewer connection. An accessory building is allowed water with an 1 1/2″ sewer only. ( to prevent installing a toilet )

And Brian, … keep in mind that there are people in the insurance business who’s career is to say no and get bonuses for denying claims, thus saving the company $$. House build before code example is apples to oranges.

Glad we have the freedom to do as you please 😉

[Hobie]

[quote=TexasLine][quote=2-stroke triple]…

Would like to know what is allowed and what is prohibited. At what point does a room attached to a two-car garage become a living space and potentially not allowed. I have seen many garages with small offices. Can one add a sink to the office? How about a separate bathroom with a shower. What is the threshold before a permit won’t be approved?

Mother coming to live with us is driving these questions. Ideally I would build a two-car garage with an attached room large enough for a double bed and 3/4 bathroom.[/quote]

Good info. Exactly my situation. But I’m looking in the La Mesa Area and I’m very worried about the “separate space” issue and may need to build something in order to accommodate her.[/quote]

All of your answers are at the city building department. You can view on line but it may be faster to simply drop by and ask. Some have printed pages at the counter.

The main difference between an granny flat and an accessory building is habitation. ( will you sleep, cook inside )

Each with different regulations concerning setback, sq ft, sewer size, even roof pitch! etc.

For habitation you need a 4″ sewer connection. An accessory building is allowed water with an 1 1/2″ sewer only. ( to prevent installing a toilet )

And Brian, … keep in mind that there are people in the insurance business who’s career is to say no and get bonuses for denying claims, thus saving the company $$. House build before code example is apples to oranges.

Glad we have the freedom to do as you please 😉

[2-stroke triple]

Thanks for your insights. Sounds like the threshold between a structure for work and habitation is the size of the sewer line. I was hoping to build a garage/office type structure and have it pass as such, then use it for a guest house. Did not realize that adding a bigger sewer line (and a toilet) would cause the structure to be reclassified from accessory building to habitable structure.

[2-stroke triple]

Thanks for your insights. Sounds like the threshold between a structure for work and habitation is the size of the sewer line. I was hoping to build a garage/office type structure and have it pass as such, then use it for a guest house. Did not realize that adding a bigger sewer line (and a toilet) would cause the structure to be reclassified from accessory building to habitable structure.

[2-stroke triple]

Thanks for your insights. Sounds like the threshold between a structure for work and habitation is the size of the sewer line. I was hoping to build a garage/office type structure and have it pass as such, then use it for a guest house. Did not realize that adding a bigger sewer line (and a toilet) would cause the structure to be reclassified from accessory building to habitable structure.

[2-stroke triple]

Thanks for your insights. Sounds like the threshold between a structure for work and habitation is the size of the sewer line. I was hoping to build a garage/office type structure and have it pass as such, then use it for a guest house. Did not realize that adding a bigger sewer line (and a toilet) would cause the structure to be reclassified from accessory building to habitable structure.

[Author]

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