| Attempting to try to live life a little differently from the | | | | to environmental regulations. Waste disposal is just |
| "norm" is a lot like trying to outrun Usain Bolt while he is | | | | one of these concerns. However, even the height of |
| running the 100 yard dash and you are doing the | | | | a wind turbine is regulated. Over a specific height will |
| hurdles. It is more than a challenge; it is a nightmare. | | | | require an environmental site assessment, a permit, |
| Lucky for us, when we began to plan the building of | | | | and appropriate lighting to warn off low-flying aircraft. |
| our yurt, we were aware of the myriad of building | | | | This regulation is enforced, even in extremely remote |
| code, zoning and environmental issues that we had to | | | | environments, where many of the trees or |
| overcome. | | | | geographical features exceed the height requirements |
| First, the building code. Although the universal building | | | | for permitting. |
| code is intended to provide a consistent standard of | | | | We have made several concessions to our local |
| construction across Canada (and the USA), each | | | | authorities regarding construction standards. |
| jurisdiction is empowered to tinker with its specifics. In | | | | However, our design may still violate legal |
| cities, of course, there is a need for consistency, to | | | | requirements. For instance, our interior walls are not |
| protect neighbours, to ensure fire risks are minimized | | | | fire-rated to the minimum one hour. It's hard to |
| and to protect future occupants of a home or | | | | fire-rate a tarpaulin structure for that period! We |
| building. Yet, each geographical area has its own | | | | have no holding tank. Not much need when we |
| challenges, so supplementary regulations are | | | | anaerobically digest our effluent, and use composting |
| enacted. To a lesser degree, in rural settings, these | | | | toilets. We do not have concrete piles to anchor our |
| standards are upheld. | | | | structure. It is overkill to anchor a structure that |
| However, the plethora of farm buildings that are | | | | weighs about the same as a half-ton truck. Our |
| constructed to meet unique needs – hay barns, | | | | bedroom does not have a regulation-sized escape |
| cattle calving pens, machine sheds, etc. are hardly likely | | | | window. On the other hand, our bedroom has no |
| to become homes for families, so standards for | | | | walls, and the rest of the yurt has four windows and a |
| outbuildings are less stringent. Many rural authorities | | | | door. We have no electrical network that is |
| turn a blind eye to poorly constructed shelters and | | | | inspected. Truth is, we have only a 12-volt power |
| outbuildings. | | | | system with an inverter for some minor appliances, but |
| Nonetheless, innovative structures such as straw | | | | a home does need wiring and plumbing, according to |
| houses, bermed buildings and alternative design | | | | the building code. |
| concepts are rejected by community planners. In | | | | So, we do not have a home. Our yurt is a |
| fact, such a simple variation on a basement such as | | | | "temporary" structure, like a workshop or barn, not |
| construction with pressure-treated lumber instead of | | | | intended to live within. At least, that is how our |
| concrete requires an engineer's stamp of approval. | | | | municipality sees it. I look forward to spending my |
| Many authorities also require adherence (justifiably so!) | | | | retirement years living in my barn, thank you! |