The building of shipping container homes in California is becoming popular in the State. This could be because of how cheap and easier it is for a shipping container home to be erected. The time frame to arrange a shipping container and turn it into a beautiful home is shorter than building a house from scratch using bricks or blocks.
However, many states in the US have embraced the building of shipping container homes in their area but with proper permission. In our last article, we were able to list the States in the US that permits the building of shipping container homes and California is not left behind. Being one of the most expensive and urbanized states in the US, they have straight land laws governing such erection.
Trust me, there are several reasons while many states in the US such as California embraced the building of shipping containers as homes in their states and these reasons will be discussed later in this article, but before then, let us take a look at the legality of shipping container homes in California.
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Are Shipping Container Homes Legal in California?
Shipping container homes are legal in California and are approved by California authorities. You can build shipping container homes in California as long as you get the permit needed for building the container home. You must also make sure the storage homes fall within the building codes and zoning requirements of California.
When it comes to building in California, there are several coding and zoning laws that need to be considered to avoid breaking the law. The idea of these codes and zoning laws is to regulate the rate house are built in California and to ensure the houses built in the State are up to the living standard.
Codes and Zoning Laws for Shipping Container Homes in California
For you to effectively build a shipping container home on your property without entering into a government problem or breaking the law, it is right for you to properly study the land codes and zoning laws governing your area.
However, in California, there is the R-I zoning code which is known as the Single Unit Residential Zoning District Code. This code is for those that wish to build a residential unit for a single-family. The R-2 zoning code on the other hand deals with building a maximum of two residential homes such as the duplexes.
There is the RM zoning code which deals with multiple residential units. These zoning codes cover both the detached and the attached format. Therefore, irrespective of the format your shipping container homes will be in, you must make sure that this code is followed appropriately.
Remember, these codes and zoning laws are to ensure you build a home that is safe for human living. The government is not trying to punish you for building a home in your land but is protecting you by ensuring that you build a home that is standard for human living whether it’s a shipping container or not.
Because of the nature of these codes, I advise you don’t make your conclusion after reading this article alone. It is better to make an inquiry from your local authorities about the shipping container homes you wish to erect and hear from them of the requirements. The reason for this is because these code and zoning laws are dynamic.
First of all, they are obtained from the International Code Counsel’s, International Residential Code (IRC), and International Building Code (IBC). These codes change from time to time and anytime there is a change, your local authorities will make an update by adding the changes. So this is the reason why you should first enquire from your local authorities before building a shipping container home in California or, you can also see these changes in these stipulated California Building Codes.
Do I Need A Permit for Shipping Container Homes in California?
You need a permit to install/build shipping container homes in California. You must ensure that the container home you wish to build is in line with the property codes and zoning requirements of California. You must present the real facts and a detailed plan about the shipping container home you wish to erect to be approved by the appropriate California authorities.
However, it is germane to note that in some areas, you may not need a permit to install shipping container homes. This is because the law governing one state is not the same law governing the other. In this case, what you have to do to be on the safer side is to call or visit the appropriate authorities to enquire from them so you will be sure of what you are doing before you start. It would be very bad to be arrested by the government authorities in the middle of your project simply because you failed to do what is necessarily required of you.
However, in California, you must follow the coding and zoning laws explained in this article before you will be permitted to build shipping container homes on your land. If you don’t know what to do or where to start, you can give the appropriate authorities a call; those in charge of land and building properties. They are in the right position to tell you the steps to follow to avoid stories that touch. If you cannot get hold of the authorities, you can enquire from a house engineer or a contractor.
If you can even find an engineer/contractor that is in charge of shipping container home, you can enquire from him of the necessary procedure to follow. Or you can enquire from someone who has already built and is living in their shipping container homes. The person must have to be in the same area/municipal with you as laws may differ from one municipality to another.
Shipping Container Regulating Entities in California
In California, there are four regulating entities for shipping container homes. These regulating entities range from municipal government regulation the federal government regulation.
- The Municipal Government Regulation: These are entities in charge of towns and cities. However, if you wish to build a shipping container home in this area, you must make inquiries from them and if possible, obtain permission from them.
- The County Government Regulation: These are entities in charge of properties outside the city and town. Therefore, if where you wish to erect your container home falls within this area, then you must have to obtain permission from them. You can’t just start erecting the container home without contacting them first.
- The State Government Regulation: These are entities that can deny or approve shipping container home building permits.
- The Federal Government Regulation: This regulatory body ensures that the permits on manufactured homes are overseeded.
Container Home Items that are Regulated
Here is the list of the shipping container home items that are commonly regulated by the California authorities:
1. Structure Compliance
When building a storage home, you must make sure the building possesses the structural integrity to support everything you will be installed inside the home. You don’t want a container home that is too clustered because the structure is not too good for the things you have inside.
2. Hazard Protection
Another major reason why the government regulates the building of shipping container homes is to protect the humans living there. The authorities will approve and permit you to build your shipping container home if it is hazard-free or have hazard protection. This is very important.
3. Accessibility
Does your shipping container home have access in and out of the home? Normally, every house should have good accessibility in case of emergency. Your storage home must have an entrance door, a back door that supports the entrance of anything and anybody with any bodily ailments. You must make your container home OK to fit even a disabled person.
4. Base
How do you want to base your container home? You can decide to use a concrete base for the foundation of your container home which should be very protective from calamities.
5. Eco Friendly
Is the home eco-friendly? You don’t need to use anything that will pose a risk to you or your neighbors. These are the things you need to consider when planning for your shipping container homes. If you must protect yourself, your neighbors must be protected as well.
6. Size and Shape
Your shipping container home must have to be of considerable size and shape before it can be approved. If can’t build a container home that is very small or tiny, making it difficult for one to be inside and expect the authorities to approve it. It must have to be a considerable size with good shape.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Shipping Container Home in California?
It may cost between $10,000 to $35,000 to build a shipping container home in California depending on the type of work to be done in the container home such as the landed property where you want to install the home, the size and shape of the container, the interiors, flooring, plumbings, and other electrical works, etc.
Final Thoughts
The state of California among other states in the United States has embraced the building of shipping container homes in the land with appropriate authorities regulating the building to ensure it is safe for humans habitant. You need a permit to install a shipping container home in California and you must follow the coding and zoning laws of shipping container homes in California else, you may not be permitted to build a storage home on your property.
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