BIG NEWS !!
BUILDING CODES for STRAWBALE , LIGHT CLAY, ROCKET STOVES & TINY HOUSES
Jump to Rocket Stoves. Jump to Tiny Houses
STRAWBALE is now in the MICHIGAN RESIDENTIAL CODE 2015 (MRC2015) !
Michigan Strawbale Code Michigan Light Straw-Clay Code
Michigan Strawbale Code MRC2015-1 MI Appendix S was adopted directly, word-for-word, from the International Residential Code (IRC) and can be viewed at the national FREE IRC public access code site. Michigan Strawbale Code is up for revision in 2018…so make sure you are looking at the latest MI code. Note that Also see the Light Straw-Clay code adopted by Michigan from the IRC Code. Buy a copy of the full Michigan code.here
Below are the page number references if you are looking at the Michigan Residential Code (MRC) as well as the free links to the Strawbale and Light Straw-Clay construction techniques from the IRC that were adopted by Michigan, word-for-word.
Strawbale Construction (MRC App S, pp 839-849) precede about a dozen index pages at the end.
IRC Straw bale code
Light Straw-Clay Construction (MRC App R, pp 835-837)
MICHIGAN CODE has an “ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS” section. If your jurisdiction doesn’t accept the Michigan Residential Code, you can evoke this section which has been in effect for a number of years.
R104.11. Alternative materials, design, and methods of construction and equipment. The provisions of the code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by the code, if the alternative 17 has been approved. An alternative material, design, or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of the code, and that the material, method, or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in the code. Compliance with the specific performance-based provisions of the Michigan building, R 408.30401 to R 408.30547, electrical, R 408.30801 to R 408.30880, mechanical, R 408.30901 to R 408.30998, and plumbing, R 408.30701 to R 408.30796, codes instead of specific requirements of the code shall also be permitted as alternate.
Sigi Koko – on working with code
regarding building permits, it is 100% possible to demonstrate code compliance for natural buildings anywhere in the USA provided that you use insulating materials where needed.
The single biggest error I see is the use of mass materials (such as cob) to build in cold climates. Since mass is non-insulating, it’s impossible to demonstrate code-compliance for required insulation values, and thus no permit would be issued. Often this error is taken to mean that natural buildings in general are not code compliant. But really it’s just a matter of choosing the proper materials for your walls.
I work in a region that requires insulation to meet the model energy code, so I use plastered strawbale walls (and sometimes light clay walls) on the exterior, plus strategically placed mass (cob and sometimes rammedearth) on interior walls. In 20 years and over 3 dozen buildings, I’ve never had any issues or delays with permitting using this methodology.
I hope this helps you in your quest for a natural home!
All the best, Sigi
be the change you wish to see… Sigi Koko, principal TO EARTH DESIGN
– natural building design & hands-on workshops www.buildnaturally.com
compiled for the Tribal Nations.by the Environmental Protection Agency. Outstanding links. (Feb 2017 this link to the EPA was not able to connect).
TINY HOUSES are now in the INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE 2018 !
* Tiny House Code approved by the IBC – International Building Code The International Code Council (ICC) reported that public comment RB168-16, the tiny house appendix, passed their final round of voting, receiving the required 2/3 majority vote. As a result, a tiny house specific appendix will be part of the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), allowing people to receive a Certificate of Occupancy (COO) for their tiny house when built to meet the provisions of the adopted code appendix. A lack of recognition of tiny houses in the IRC had been a major hindrance to the creation of legal tiny houses in communities across the United States. – See more
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OTHER ARTICLES & resorces of interest if you are wanting to build with straw:
We Have a National Straw Bale Building Code! – strawbale.com
Oct 28, 2013 – The IRC is the basis for the Residential Building Code in virtually every … easier with theacceptance of straw bale construction into the IRC.
Codes for Alternative Building – Green Home Building
To date, Jeff has consulted on well over 400 straw bale and natural building projects … I know of onecode-approved papercrete building that was accepted …
Q & A Building a Straw Bale Cabin. See bottom of page for emails.
RESOURCES gathered by DEANNE
Great Lakes NATURAL BUILDING Regional Network . Be part of this network, or suggest additions!
Natural Building Resources Links to the following:
- Great Lakes Natural Building Network
- Natural Building Websites
- Indigenous Building & Refuge Shelter.
- Homes & Communities
- Natural Building Material & Techniques.
- Building Codes and Design
- Natural Building Books
- Hands-on Experiences, Natural Building Centers & Companies
- How-to Construction Information Online
Natural Building Strategies and materials .
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10 Ways Natural Building can Address Climate Change. In 2009 Ianto (my building teacher) was a featured speaker at the Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen. 180 nations .Latest News: | Cob Cottage Company
Workshops – Cob Pics – Apprenticeships – What is Cob?
Resource: Solid Rock Masonry based in Duluth, MN, serving clients throughout the upper Midwest.
- Building Code Coverage of Masonry Heaters (PDF File) by Norbert Senf, Masonry Stove Builders
- Codes and Standards for Masonry Fireplaces and Chimneys by Jim Buckley, Buckley Rumford Fireplaces
- ASTM E1602 – 03(2010)e1 Standard Guide for Construction of Solid Fuel Burning Masonry Heaters
- Available for purchase from ASTM International. From website description: “This guide can be used by code officials, architects, and other interested parties to evaluate the design and construction of masonry heaters. It is not restricted to a specific method of construction, nor does it provide all specific details of construction of a masonry heater. This guide does provide the principles to be followed for the safe construction of masonry heaters.
- Building Code Coverage of Masonry Heaters (PDF File) by Norbert Senf, Masonry Stove Builders
Portland Code for Rocket Stoves. Great Code article written by Ernie & Erica Wisner. Go to the bottom section of this document on “Scope” and use this to interface with code officials.
Video on Code by Ernie & Erica. (5 min) Getting a Permit for Rocket Stoves.
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Q & A Building a Straw Bale Cabin.
A. Here is the part of the Michigan code that allows for strawbale as an “alternative material” code info here.
Debbie,
On Fri, Apr 3, 2015 at 3:35 PM, Tammy Van wrote:
Oregon unforatunetely DOES have building codes – they just let auxillary buildings under 200 sq.ft. pass without any permits – so a lot of us cob builders just build little and call them different things (like library, meditation room, art studio *girns*)Northern California in those two counties doesn’t have code.I personally really like the idea of buying a fixer upper and then just gutting it and cobbing it in with cob and light straw clay. Would definitely be in your price range but probably not near portland. The closer to a big city the more it cost to buy land or a fixer. Other areas of the country are cheap cheap – like Ohio – OMG you can get a total house for under $30K but alas its Ohio *grins*I am going to forward your email to Deanne Bednar as she is in Oxford Michigan and teaches natural building with others, including women. She would know more about happenings near NY…also to Chris McClellan (who happens to live in Ohio *GRINS******) He can tell you about options for workshop closer to you. I highly recommend them both!Enjoy the journey!Tammy
www.7fires.org´´¯`·.¸ >`·.¸¸.·´¯`·>´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ >Sent: Friday, April 03, 2015 at 12:21 PM
To: “Tammy Van”
Subject: Re: Looking to build a cob cottage…Thanks so much for taking the time to give me this information, Tammy. When you say to keep it small what approximate size do you think I’d have to build the home to keep it under $50k with the land and everything? I was thinking around 500 square feet for a one-bedroom or studio bungalow which is all I need (and maybe a shed and attic crawl space for extra storage). I’m thrilled to know I might be able to build one right here in New York if I can find areas without any building permit needed to meet codes and all. Or else I’d come out to Oregon… I prefer to be near Portland, so I’m not sure if you mean the entire state of Oregon has no building permits/codes to meet or is this just in specific counties of the state?
After taking a course, I’d love to not only build my own cob bungalow, but be doing this for a living as well… sounds like my kind of thing, sufficient pay, and it’s good to know other women are out there doing this too.Thanks, again, Tammy, and lets stay in touch… glad I found you.DebbieOn Fri, Apr 3, 2015 at 12:43 PM, Tammy Van
Many variables go into the cost (ie. are you using used or new windows and doors, plumbing inside or in a composting toilet situation, lime plaster finishes or earthen plasters, flooring, etc.) given all that said we have had people including ourselves for $1,000 or less and upward from that. Linda’s house which is a one bedroom bungalow is very charming and she has probably about $3K into it just because she has some nice finishes like granite counters and things. If you hire it out of course that adds to the cost. And depending on where you build you might want to build more of a “complex” or network of smaller cottages – one sleeping, one living, one kitchen things like that. Ie. in Oregon you can build under 200 sqft auxillary building without a permit.If my range was wide open – I would indeed seek out those counties in the USA or other countries that don’t require building permits. (Many south america ones like Costa Rica, Ecuador etc. – that would require some research). But there are still counties even in the US that have exemptions or no permits at all – far and few between. In Northern Calif. there are two that I know of – Humbolt County and Medicino County have what’s called an Owner Build permit – that allows you to build anything you want for the most part and not have to meet code etc.Other options would indeed be going for a permittable cob/strawbale house – it has been done just adds to the cost. If the $50K if for the house portion you’ll be fine. If the $50K is for the house and land, you’ll probably have to keep it small.So….given all that said – lets start with where you currently live. I’m sure we have builders near you and we can chat more about that and options to get you started. My husband and myself have a background in conventional construction and we actually teach people to take fixer uppers that are basically tear downs to anyone else and remodel them with cob and other natural materials – its great. We have a workshop coming up in July that will teach all the different wall systems to do just that. So can chat more about that too.And just know that YOU totally can do it! We have had women with zero building experience come and take a workshop and leave empowered enough to build their own house with their own hands and make it a piece of art too!Happy to help!Tammy
www.7fires.orgCob Cottage Online Coordinator
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Sent: Friday, April 03, 2015 at 7:04 AM
From: “Dee ess”
To:cob@cobcottage.com
Subject: Looking to build a cob cottage…Hello, I’m desperate to get a home for myself but only have $50,000 or less to spend. I read about cob dwellings and am very interested in building one. I need to know what areas in the U.S. or other countries allow them; where they are typically built; and for how much it would cost me to build a one-bedroom bungalow for myself. Thanks for you help, it’s greatly appreciated.
Debbie