Freshtrax Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 (edited) First of I got skunked for splake up in Dorset yesterday. My father just asked me this week if I would move back home and help him take care of the family farm as he aged. We're looking ad adding a prefab cabin/cottage to the property. Nothing incredibly fancy but comfortable enough for me the fiancé and one or two kids down the road. We're looking around 700 sq ft with a loft. No basement. And on a separate septic from the main house. We could use the same well. My main concern is getting permits anyone have any tips on dealing with the planning department. I've heard there lax on " seasonal farm help residences". We're located outside of alliston. We plan on heating with Woodstove and baseboards as a backup. Any help is appreciated as I'm way outa my league here. Dammit I can't edit the title. Edited January 8, 2013 by Freshtrax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bacon Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 I think that anything that includes both a kitchen and sleeping quarters would count as a separate residence. I am not sure what the zoning laws allow; you may have to sever a piece of the property in order to build a separate residence. I think you can have everything except a stove before it legally becomes a separate residence. Zoning laws for farms may be a bit more liberal though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 700sqft with a wife and two kids seems awfully small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freshtrax Posted January 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Can always put an extension on after:). 700-1000 sq ft. + Loft There's a 6 bedroom farmhouse on the property as well we just need some space to call our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 As a rule, help houses are supposed to be temporary structures. The usual buildings being portables, mobile homes, trailers. All of which lack a foundation. The moment you lay down a foundation for living accomodations, your structure will fall under the Ontario building code. Perhaps the municipality may give some leeway. I have not met many building inspectors willing to show much flexibility, mind I stopped building houses 12 years back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freshtrax Posted January 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 If I can get permits I would live to go that route. Not sure if they will give me one without a severance. I sent some emails this weekend I guess I will find out next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 (edited) You may want to take the way of the so called granny flat , where its said that you will be taking up the main house thats there now , and your parents will need to semi retire to a second dwelling that needs to be built now on the now same said property , and where it needs to be constructed in such away as to be the main dwelling in the future once the parents have passed on and the orignal house is removed , then leaving you with an updated house for the farm . After all is said and done , it dose'nt matter to the powers that be who ends up living in either house on the property . Edited January 7, 2013 by Skipper " D " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freshtrax Posted January 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Just talked to the planning department. Because its zoned agricultural granny suite is out. Only possibility is farm help. Means less than 800sq ft and no foundation. She said its mostly for trailers but as long as its got no foundation you could push the envelope a little. Any ideas? I'm thinking doubblewide and brick up the bottom to make it look like a bungalow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokestackLightnin Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Just pray the property does not fall on the flood plain controlled by the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Just talked to the planning department. Because its zoned agricultural granny suite is out. Only possibility is farm help. Means less than 800sq ft and no foundation. She said its mostly for trailers but as long as its got no foundation you could push the envelope a little. Any ideas? I'm thinking doubblewide and brick up the bottom to make it look like a bungalow. Funny hu , where a granny suite is needed the most , its not aloud , crazy stuff , guess they don't want any one coming back home to take over the farms , size wise then is also restricted on what you can do , i think they got you with the 800 sq ft thing , where do you put the kids once they start coming along ??? . Guess its not an option for you to build on to the farm house . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Looks like you'll be shopping for the biggest Park model you can find . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Over in New Hamberg in the 1980's i helped our neibours do one for his parents to live in , we poured a cement pad to park the Park model trailer on . It helps to keep things dry and alou's you to heat under it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassassin Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-home-outdoor-other-Used-school-portable-classroom-W0QQAdIdZ375891332 CHeapest option pout there 24x32' 768ft2 open concept easily converted to 2 bedroom 1 washroom home... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 AND, yes you can edit the title, look for the full editor tab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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