Before you order your do-it-yourself home solar energy system and start building your own solar panels, you might want to save yourself a big headache (and several thousand dollars) by looking into your local zoning. If you live on acreage in an unincorporated area, you might still be subject to some state restrictions. So it is always wise do ask some questions and do some research at the beginning of your project’s planning process (instead of waiting until the money has been spent!).
In the United States, zoning restrictions usually are the least restrictive at the federal level, and become increasingly restrictive at the most local levels. That means (usually), the state is less restrictive than the county; the county is less restrictive than the town or city; the town or city is less restrictive than the homeowners’ association. So is you do your zoning research at the most restrictive level that applies to your situation, you should be in good shape.
If you live in a community that has a homeowner’sassociation, start there. Find out if there are rules about installing solar panels (or any structures) on your roof, or if there are rules about the kind of roofing materials you can use. It’s not the end of the world if your discover restrictions. You’ll just have to develop a proposal that your association board will find so appeal that they’ll approve it with ease.
If your zoning comes from your town or city regulations, you’ll need to go the planning office and find out what your local zoning laws say about solar panel installations. It may take you some time to find out exactly who to talk with; it may be the zoning department, or the planning department, or the building code department. But once you uncover the proper authority, find out what permits you need, and what the process is that you’ll need to follow. If there are no town or city zoning codes in place that cover solar panels, you’ll need to research at the next level.
The next zoning authority level is your county. If you can find the county website online, you may be able to get answers without having to visit the county offices in person. Either way, though, you’ll need to find out which department handles zoning and permits, and get your answers there. If the county has no zoning regarding solar panels, keep asking questions. Someone at the county level should be able to tell you whether your state has any laws in place.
You can also approach all of this research by finding local solar equipment suppliers and installers. Since the zoning regulations affect their businesses, they’ll usually know exactly what the laws are, if any. Be sure you ask a reputable, licensed business person, though. And double check their answers, don’t just rely on what they tell you. As with any “home improvement” there are a lot of scams out there that are easy to avoid by doing a little research of your own.
10 New Deck Building Planning Considerations Are you considering building a new deck onto your home? Be sure to plan ahead to find the best possible deck design to perfectly match your home aesthetics. Review the following deck planning considerations. 1 Deck Location
For those people living in coastal areas that are prone to hurricanes or hurricane-force winds, there are various safety factors that must be taken into consideration when building or remodeling a home or other structure. In 1994, two years after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida, Miami-Dade County began to establish building codes specifically focused on improving the structural integrity of new buildings to reduce damage from hurricanes. Today, these building codes and regulations have been widely adopted in other hurricane areas, and are considered the “holy grail” of hurricane protection and safety. The Product Control Section of the Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office was charged with evaluating and certifying specific building materials as compliant for hurricane force winds. Since then, this organization has become the authoritative source for establishing hurricane safe products and building materials. Many companies that manufacture building materials, particularly hurricane shutters and shutter hardware, strive to meet the compliance codes of Miami-Dade County. However, it’s important for consumers to remember that not all products have met the Miami-Dade criteria. Before purchasing building items, consumers must remember several important things. If a product has been tested and approved, it will be stamped “Miami-Dade County Product Control approved.” Keep in mind that this approval applies to a specific product design. If the manufacturer later changes the design of the product, it may no longer be approved, meaning they would have to go through the testing and certification process again. With regard to functional hurricane shutters, there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when shopping for Miami-Dade approved products. The material that the shutters are made of is critical. Hardwoods, depending on their density, are considered the best material for functional hurricane shutters, based on the established criteria of the Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office. The code divides hardwoods into several categories including medium heavy, heavy, very heavy, and the strongest category which is called “ironwood.” Woods categorized as “ironwood” will actually sink in water. Softwoods such as pine, spruce, larch, Douglass fir, and hemlock are considered less than optimal for functional hurricane shutters, and are generally not recommended. There are some hurricane shutters on the market made of composite materials, usually containing resin-based plastic components such as ABS and nylon. These composite shutters are usually successful in passing Miami-Dade code compliance testing. Metal shutters can be found, and they are usually inexpensive to purchase; however, they are generally considered a last resort, or something that can be installed in a hurry if a hurricane is coming soon and there is no time for a more sophisticated shutter system. Shutter hardware will also be rated as compliant or non-compliant with Miami-Dade building codes. Again, the same basic guidelines apply: A stamp of approval only applies to the specific product design that was tested and certified. If a manufacturer later changes the design, the product is no longer in compliance until it has been re-tested. For the most part, Miami-Dade building codes as related to shutter hardware will address the type of metal used in the hardware. The importance lies in using good quality metal that will not easily break or fracture. Cast aluminum and cast zinc should both be avoided. Steel is considered to be the best material to use, with stainless steel topping the list as the best quality product. Stainless steel has a good tensile strength and the material will not rust or tarnish when exposed to salty conditions that are prevalent in coastal areas prone to hurricanes. Carbon steel that is cut and formed is also a good choice because it is very strong; however, this steel will rapidly rust and deteriorate when exposed to salty conditions. If you’re considering buying a home that lies in a hurricane zone, be sure to ask your realtor if the structure is Miami-Dade building code compliant. If you already live in one of these areas, and you’re preparing to remodel or perhaps build a new home, consult with your contractor about the building codes, and be sure that he or she is prepared to build according to the Miami-Dade County standards. Hurricane force winds will quickly damage property and take lives. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to heed warnings, but also ensure that your home is well built and that your have functional exterior shutters in compliance with Miami-Dade standards.