Strange home construction question

[Mirroredshades]

There are two small houses next to each other for sale in my neighborhood. They are only about 20 feet apart. If I bought both, could I join them together and make one big house out of them?

:confused5:

[Olustee bus]

Ought to be able too. Interesting question.

[Marc]

If they are on separate building (taxable) lots the town will have to approve the application. Once you own both it may be as easy as, no no it won't be easy. You will likely need board approval for this. Most tax accessors can join adjacent lots owned by the same person but only if there is one principle dwelling (this may be different in other areas). Talk to the town engineer or attorney. Good luck :cert:

[island14]

Sometimes they can be a pain in the ass, sometimes you get lucky..

I once had a house on one lot, and a large hollow block building behind it but was a separate property. 40X120

The only overhead entry door was at one end, and I wanted to divide it in half to rent one side, use the other for myself, no access to the other end, so a side entry was the only way.

The zoning board would not let me knock a hole in the building for a large overhead garage door.

Their logic was if one or the other property ended up getting sold later, there would be no right of way to it.. also the house was zoned residential, and the building was zoned business further adding to the problem.

Since I had been caught doing it without a building permit, and the work was already done...

I was lucky the building inspector was cool and gave me a pass without his higher ups knowing... he just told me to paint it all fast and hope for the best.. :lol:

Never heard another word about it.. :thumbs:

[Sea Six]

Sometimes they can be a pain in the ass, sometimes you get lucky..

I once had a house on one lot, and a large hollow block building behind it but was a separate property. 40X120

The only overhead entry door was at one end, and I wanted to divide it in half to rent one side, use the other for myself, no access to the other end, so a side entry was the only way.

The zoning board would not let me knock a hole in the building for a large overhead garage door.

Their logic was if one or the other property ended up getting sold later, there would be no right of way to it.. also the house was zoned residential, and the building was zoned business further adding to the problem.

Since I had been caught doing it without a building permit, and the work was already done...

I was lucky the building inspector was cool and gave me a pass without his higher ups knowing... he just told me to paint it all fast and hope for the best.. :lol:

Never heard another word about it.. :thumbs:

It's usually easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission in the first place.

[Broken Wind]

In this day and age, I wouldn't feck with zoning and code issues. Local governments are starved for cash and the one where I live will not hesitate to fine the dogshit out of you and force you to tear down whatever it is you constructed off the zoning grid.

Ask me how I know. :leaving:

[vtelvr]

Yeah...probably not going to happen...at least legally. At worst, they have you tear it down because of the tax and deed/zoning issues. At best, you are slapped with a fine equal to the amount that you have into the place(s).

YMMV