Is Your New Horse Barn Permitted?

By: Nikki Alvin-Smith for Horizon Structures

Building plans and permits are an important part of your new horse barn purchase. While some towns don’t require any plans or permit applications submitted for an agricultural construction project, increasingly many regions are requiring property owners to apply for permits to protect both themselves and their neighbors from unsightly or unsafe buildings.

While at first these requirements may seem an unnecessary requirement, the ordinances are in place for your protection. Proper plans that have been inspected and certified by a licensed engineer will meet local code for snow load, wind sheer and safety in design. Most towns charge a small application fee for their time reviewing the plans and the siting of the construction, inspecting the structure both during construction and in its final form and issuing a certificate of compliance or occupancy.

If you try to dodge the permit requirement, you will be not be able to legally sell your property in the future without the town’s consent and issuance of a certificate of compliance. There will likely be expensive penalties involved even if the construction is latently approved, and the town can require that the building be entirely removed.

While you may view working with your local Town Zoning and Building Inspector and Planning Board a hassle, or at the minimum an intimidating part of your new barn purchase, there is no need to worry if you do your due diligence and select an experienced building company to partner with for your project.

Regardless of whether your town requires a permit for the build or not, you should definitely insist that the construction firm provides you with a detailed set of plans that have been certified as meeting snow load and wind requirements for your neighborhood. Hurricane protection in the form of special anchoring and roof tie-downs, specific types of materials to be used for siding, roofing and windows, are necessary to protect everyone in the neighborhood from potential storm damage. Snow load and roof collapses can and do happen, and can be easily prevented with correct construction. If your building company won’t provide such detailed plans for a minimal fee or as part of the building cost, then you probably don’t want to utilize their services.

Reputable construction firms will produce a full set of detailed plans for your build, whatever the size of the project. They will also help you through the permitting process and provide a wealth of advice as to how to implement any changes that may become necessary as a result of your local officials building requirements.

When you consider that permits truly protect you and your neighbors, by reviewing how far a structure is set from a property line, whether it impedes light or views, the safety of the build and the overall appearance of the structure, then you’ll appreciate that the permit process is actually a useful factor in your barn purchase. It can save you from making a costly mistake either in what you build or where you build it.

When selecting a partner to work with on your new horse barn. don’t be shy to ask up front about their policy for plan provision and permit help. The process can be headache free and simple to negotiate with a professional, experienced company that works nationwide on barn building and can address all the variant issues that arise due to regional climatic differences.

This article is brought to you courtesy of Horizon Structures Inc., Atglen PA – Modular horse barn and indoor riding arena specialists. Horizon Structures also offers both residential and commercial kennels, coops, multi-use structures and playsets. Please visit https://www.HorizonStructures.com to learn more.