Permits required for smaller accessory buildings

Small accessory buildings such as this 10X16 shed now require building permits in Pike County.

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Friday, September 17. 2010

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County commissioners approved a fee schedule revision for the department of planning and zoning to require permits for accessory buildings 120 square feet or larger instead of 320 square feet or larger.

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#1 Dog House on 09/17/10 at 09:18 AM

Good move David, maybe you should have stuck with something you know like landscaper. The next step would be dog house's and then out door potties. Just another sorry excuse to get in the taxpayers pocket. If I run a extension cord to the Old Yellers dog house for a electric heat pad for the winter will I have to have it inspected? Dawn would not have done that to us.

#1.1 Iron on 10/04/10 at 05:26 PM

I don't think the people of Pike County want to go international with their building codes. The surrounding counties have no such restrictions, and we should not have to permit a 10 x 12 building either.
Just more government controls on our lives.

#1.2 Dawn Danielson on 10/19/10 at 03:39 PM

Only if Steve told me to.

#2 thinker on 09/17/10 at 09:54 AM

now that is just stupid whats the most they'll get 4.00 and how much will we pay for the inspector to go inspect it, going negative again no wonder we are going broke, way to go comissioners

#2.1 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 11:00 AM

Is the inspector overworked or something? No time for sheds with the booming growth in Pike?

#2.2 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 12:34 PM

This guy is right. You need to at least charge $25. Does that sound better? I am sure they can go higher. This county seems to be as fair as they can and still get no support. That is not enough! Tax us higher!

#2.3 Whose Stupid on 09/17/10 at 12:43 PM

25 cents x 120 is $30.00.

#2.3.1 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 02:05 PM

Oops, sorry, I went to school with the thinker. At least he will be happy it is more than $4. So for a regular shed 10 X 120 would be $12. Right? Still not bad. And heck with a concrete foundation and electricity for $30 whats the big deal. Thats a permanent structure. I see quite a few of these with electricity and foundations with people actually living in them. So I think they should be regulated. I see the one in the photo has two doors on it, a good friend of mine owns some duplexes in these parts, Hmmmmmmm.....

#2.3.1.1 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 03:54 PM

You got it.

#3 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 10:57 AM

Wish all the sheds looked like that in my neighborhood. Too bad you did not need a permit when these folks built their hideous ,so called sheds in their backyard. If you do not have $4 dollars you are probably the architects of these interesting structures. $4 thats a lot of money. Hope Walter Geiger jumps on this!!!

#4 John Deere, Sr. on 09/17/10 at 10:57 AM

How shocking!...Out of touch!... powerplay!

County commissioners "approved a fee schedule revision..."

This is revenue enhancement at its worse since Pike County needed no accessory building schedule fee revision. The accompanying bureaucratic double talk compounds this egregious progressive political "approval", zoning lackey David Allen explains in Obamaesque fashion, “In most counties and states and according to the international code, it should be 120 square feet instead of 320 that requires a permit,” said planning and zoning director David Allen. “We want to continue to align our code with the international standard.”

That is a load of bull sh**! being shoveled by Allen. Pike County doesn't need to conform with "international code and standard". Who cares about the huts in Africa or the igloos in Lapland? Is approval from the United Nations next?

Allen continues to pile it on when he stated, “In most counties and states and according to the international code, it should be 120 square feet instead of 320 that requires a permit,".

A few facts from some of the "most counties".

** Lamar County doesn't require a permit if the accesory building is 400 sq. ft. or less with no electrical work to be done.

** Upson County doesn't require a permit if the value of the building is $500 or less with no electrical work to be done.

** Spalding County requires a permit only if the building is greater than 144 sq. ft.(12 X 12 building)with no electrical work.

** Meriweather County doesn't require a permit if the building is 400 sq ft or less with no electrical to be done.

Is Pike County the only county in Georgia trying to conform to International Standards with political correctness at the expense of accessory building (shed) owners? Is banning mobile homes in Pike County next?

If anyone doesn't believe me, make the calls to other counties to verify my statements. Progressive Pike County is ALONE.

I won't waste space by listing other counties NOT following "most counties and states and according to the international code", quote David Allen.

A statement to Pike County commissioners and unqualified David Allen:

DO NOT PEE ON OUR LEGS AND TELL US IT IS RAINING!

Vote out all incumbents!

JD, Sr.

#4.1 Sheila Tolley on 09/19/10 at 04:10 PM

I am falling in love with you, JD,Sr.

#4.1.1 John Deere, Sr. on 09/19/10 at 10:09 PM

I am flattered! But, after all the divorces, I follow the motto:

“Nothing runs like a Deere.”

#4.1.1.1 NOT Shelia Tolley on 09/20/10 at 10:31 AM

She's a cheater.

#5 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 11:07 AM

Does this apply to those people putting additions onto their present shed? I sure hope so. They are truly a work of art!

#6 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 11:10 AM

Bring back Dawn. Bring back Bush. Thats how to make progress. Lets go backwards.

#7 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 11:14 AM

Is that old unregistered truck that has been sitting back there for 12 years going to count? That would be a deal because four bucks is way cheaper than a tag and some insurance.

#8 Molena Resident on 09/17/10 at 11:22 AM

Don't get me wrong, anybody is better than Steve Marro. But if this is part of our new county manager's bag of tricks, he can pack it up and hit the road. This issue came out of the blue, our "commisoners" are not smart enough to have come up with it on their own. He also has very big plans for the splost. He had better stop listening to Don Collins.

#8.1 Concord at Large on 09/17/10 at 05:03 PM

You are right Molena, in last weeks edition he was telling us what his plans were for the splost. We can get rid of him and nip it in the bud. I expect some investigating into his past should do the trick.

#8.2 rhoda dunn on 09/19/10 at 06:53 PM

why would anyome listen to collins after he was one of the ring leaders that voted the biggest mistake of pike in [TEEN CHALLENGE]was one of his projects. i am sure there are more of his boo boos haunting this county. swift was number 1 and collins # 2 and last vote was rosevelt. swift and collins would not even talk to citizens around teen challenge. now, citizens do not want to talk to you. i praise tommy powers for his stand for citizens.

#9 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 12:07 PM

you will also be required to show proof it's
been treated for termites.

#9.1 Sheila Tolley on 09/19/10 at 04:06 PM

Get outta here? You are kidding, right?

#10 Rover on 09/17/10 at 01:19 PM

My owners purchased me a new fiberglass home which will be delivered tommorrow from Lowe's. Should Lowe's be required to get the permit? Will my new home require footings, ground treatment, lightning arrestors and straw & seed landscaping? Will my owners be required to submit plans, what are the setback requirements? I would like to have the pack over for a house warming but concerned about the occupant load, what is the occupant load? One of my friends is missing a leg, will I be required to have a ramp? You want to align with the International Standard, what does China require? That is where my new home was built. Thank you David and all Building and Zoning.

#10.1 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 01:51 PM

You bought a shed from china! How dare you support another country? Bet you can search all day for an American made one and come up empty. But that doesnt matter. Keep supporting foreign countries. If it was not made out of fiberglass I would stick a box of termites under it!! Go U.S.A.!!

#10.2 Out of code on 09/17/10 at 03:44 PM

Don't care what Dawn Allen says at Planning and Development, you may not have a dog house, junk storage building or doll house with one exit only! What about all the storage companies around here, they will go belly up in hard times.

#11 Fed up in Whitfield Sub on 09/17/10 at 02:42 PM

Mr. Allen is president of Whitfield Sub. home owners association and does not even try to get people there to follow home owners association rules. We now have a home that has had an old truck van brought in a dumped in the backyard for storage. Mr. Allen please help us.

#12 see the violation? on 09/17/10 at 03:52 PM

The photo of the accessory building is too close to both fences. They will have to get a DEMO Permit and tear it down. On another issue, how far does the doghouse have to be from my well? What are the roof snow loads permitted? Is the roof pitch still 4/12? Are floor load levels the same on doghouses and Little Susies doll house?

#12.1 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 05:08 PM

This photo is an example of what happens when permits are not issued and the work inspected.

#12.1.1 Well Thank you on 09/17/10 at 06:02 PM

Ms. Brenda Shaw, Assistant Planning and Development Director. If you don't live in Pike County you should not have a say in the matter! Take it on back to Conyers save gas and travel time.

#12.1.1.1 Anonymous on 09/17/10 at 06:19 PM

Easy, Sandy.

#12.1.1.2 Mr. Pike on 09/17/10 at 08:41 PM

Are you telling me we still have workers from other counties working in Pike County government? Making decisions about our lives and then driving home?

#12.1.1.2.1 anon on 09/19/10 at 06:36 AM

Brenda Shaw is not alone, Pike County Manager does not reside in Pike County.

#13 Dorsey on 09/17/10 at 04:03 PM

The one in the picture does not have a landing pad. Who issued it a CO? Why are temporary school classrom buildings exempt from Mr. Allens new code? Their classroms which are "temporary" stay in the same spot 20 years or more.

#14 ggscocoa on 09/17/10 at 06:29 PM

You've got to be kidding!!!!! More government involvement in our lives that we don't need. I guess next they'll up your property taxes for having a storage shed.

#14.1 Anonymous on 09/18/10 at 04:25 PM

Welcome to America my friend! Might want to start looking for a place in Alabama. I hear you dont have to worry about these issues there. Is this a landmark decision? Is Pike the first county in the nation to do this?

#15 It doesn' t really matter, now does it? on 09/18/10 at 06:38 AM

Thought they already counted outbuildings in on your tax assessment...I know they are aware of mine! Just another way to recoup lost tax money.

#16 Sheila Tolley on 09/18/10 at 08:32 AM

I am glad our forefathers fled from those old England taxes.

#17 Big Deal on 09/19/10 at 09:07 AM

So the county manager lives in Bibb county, Shaw lives in Conyers, two county leaders which make rules on our Pike wallets, whats the big deal? Commissioner District 2 Bill Avery lived in Chambers County Alabama. Be fair.

#18 Firebug on 09/19/10 at 12:58 PM

I am curious? if these out/storage buildings get taxed, will that open the door for the fire chief to demand another fire tax? I would not put it past him.

Maybe I should go over to the polecat and ask them what they are planning.

#19 Anonymous on 09/19/10 at 01:56 PM

One of our own commissioners has a whole friggin school/prison bus in his yard. Will he need to remove this or just get a permit. If no permit or registration is required for this maybe this is the loophole we have been looking for. Imagine the whole city of Zebulon with an unregistered bus as a shed. Should paint "Help Keep Zebulon Beautiful" on the side!

#19.1 Anonymous on 09/20/10 at 10:00 PM

Thats his sisters house, get you facts straight!

#20 Thankful on 09/20/10 at 06:32 AM

I am impressed with the efforts made by the county to make sure they get whatever moneys they can from us taxpayers for the most inconsequential things. Why, I think the BoC and the CM should place a suggestion box outside the door so we can offer more efficient ways for them to spend my money. Why not permit outdoor Christmas decorations? Or even indoor decorations? Or maybe they could require permits for having a flag outside the house. Or better yet. How about a toll booth outside the guarded door at the courthouse. just think of the revenue that'll generate!

#21 Dorthy on 09/20/10 at 08:54 AM

I'm trying to hide my storage building as long as I can. I realize it is not ADA compliant.

#22 sick of the growth on 09/21/10 at 07:48 AM

Well i've lived in this county all my life and i'm going to continue to do things the way we did when i was coming up. Do it without a permit and if you don't like it pay my mortgage payment or shut up and get off my land.

#23 Pike Patriot Homeowner on 09/23/10 at 03:01 PM

We should not get all excited about something that may never happen. I am on the Pike Planning and Development Board and not a single soul contacted me about this. I as a Board Member, Citizen and soon to be Chairman would not have allowed what you peoples are reading today.

IN GOD WE TRUST

#24 Charles R on 09/23/10 at 09:48 PM

Wait, hold the phone. Does the county mangager live in Pike or not? If he does not, let me take this opportunity to ask him to hit the road. If Pike County is not good enough for him, we can fix that. When are our stupid, lazy, lieing, incompetent and arrogant commisioners going to write a contract that requires the county manager to live in this county?

#24.1 check the minutes on 09/24/10 at 06:46 AM

Commissioner Roosevelt Willis and Parrish Swift saw no reason for him to move right away. This is probably our county managers last hooray before fulltime retirement. Really doubt he will give up his land and home in Bibb county to move to Pike.
Our BOC is non-professional and cannot see into the future. Does our County Clerk live in Pike, how about assistant director of Planning and Development?

#25 Anonymous on 09/24/10 at 06:55 AM

I agree with Charles, Bill Avery was my uncle and lived in Pike when voted then later in his term he moved to AL. He then stepped down or rather forced either way you look at it he had to leave his position vacant. My thoughts are if you do not reside in the county how will you make the right choices there must be a rule to this. Also quit hiring these two bit idiots to do the job.

#25.1 Anonymous on 09/25/10 at 06:12 PM

My stupid fire tax tripled. Never was it to be a fire fee. Now we have a fired Clayton Lt. running around taking care of us. Thanks to Parrish Swift, Steve Marro and patriot JC Morrison and $18,000 walking around money (your money)to a volunteer.
I'd rather have a commissioner in living in Alabama than the three stooges that put together fire fee tax program. Bend over for more. Its coming.

#25.1.1 jcsk on 09/25/10 at 10:38 PM

my fire fee tripled too. i guess the fire departments need more new trucks for next years july 4 parade. they may even have a new one for concord parade in oct. i will never donate again to the fire department.they get enough fire fees.

#25.1.2 JC Morrison on 09/26/10 at 11:03 AM

You give Me alot of credit, Wish I did have that much control......

#25.1.2.1 Cody on 09/27/10 at 08:29 AM

is your buddy going to increase the fire tax to include these buildings? so sad, pike and its leaders. what a joke we are.

#26 Big Mouth on 09/27/10 at 10:37 AM

Explain something to me, please. Why is Pike County run by a very few unelected people who are either out of work for some reason or retired? The commissioners have allowed this to go on more and more. It has gotten out of hand.

It is nice that these self-appointed "bulldogs" take enough of their plentiful time to to to commission meetings. What makes it bad for me and the others who cannot attend is when these few have their personal problems quickly solved at the expense of the other 18,000 of us. THEY CANNOT SEE THE BIG PICTURE! Can they not find a bingo game somewhere every once in a while?

#26.1 Rob Roy on 09/27/10 at 11:44 AM

Now, Now Parrish.

#26.2 Anonymous on 09/27/10 at 12:19 PM

Looks like one of them Bulldogs, Carol bass is about to be a Commmissioner.

#26.2.1 Anonymous on 09/27/10 at 12:31 PM

Praise God.
There is a God without asking for a greasy handout.

#26.2.2 Big Mouth on 09/27/10 at 01:39 PM

Elected in her district? Don't kid yourself. She'll go down like her husband did in Spalding County.

#26.2.3 Firebug on 09/27/10 at 02:14 PM

Well the question is, will she make something of her position or be another cog in the broken wheel of Pike County politics? BS spending, outside influences, and pet projects have choked the taxpayer to death. Tax everything you possibly can to get more money and then want more.

Carol Bass you preach accountability right? Here are a few concerns that I know many taxpayers would like to have addressed.

(1) Lets see a volunteer committee set up to oversee the fire service budget. The lone wolf has a free pass and no accountability. A committee will assure the tax dollars are not wasted.
(2) Have an educational session to address the public on the need for a SPLOST to remodel the courthouse. Not a justice complex that cost millions.
(3) Be honest, and available to the taxpayers and enjoy the position.

#26.2.3.1 District 1 on 09/27/10 at 03:27 PM

No one could do the destruction the present commissioner of District 1 has dealt us. If something was not in it for him then he did not vote on it. How could anyone vote for him after he and Marro were found guilty by the Appeals Board Chaired by Don Collins on charges of creating a hostile work environment in the county workplace. Yep, he was all for Making it Happen and Moving Pike Forward.

#26.2.3.1.1 Concord Resident on 10/05/10 at 02:33 PM

Which district is David Rawlins running in? I saw one of his signs on Hwy 18 when I was headed toward B'ville this week.

#26.2.3.2 Demolition Crew on 09/27/10 at 03:36 PM

I love going to that old courthouse. I do not know if it is the smell of bat urine or the lead paint peeling off the ceiling. I do know tax money was wasted on the bat situation and on painting. And neither got fixed. And now you come back for more money. I think tax payers would rather see their money go to progress. Time to quit replacing spokes in that old wheel and build a new one. Time for a new courthouse complex. Pike has shown it's management skills on remodels.

#26.3 IHelen on 09/27/10 at 12:29 PM

I'm with you. The main BULLDOG/POLECAT just packed his bags and went to his 40th class reunion in Clayton County. He stomped on Tyree who never charged us a nickel and gave us a fired Lt from Clayton Co (imagine that)to which gave us a FIRE TAX and him $18,000 for his volunteer service. Why don't all the Claycorainans stay in Clayton?

#27 Anonymous on 09/29/10 at 11:52 AM

What the heck??? What else is the government going to charge for?

#28 Peanut-Popcorn Vendor on 10/19/10 at 01:11 PM

Deer stands are not excempt. $10.00 for every deer shot from one.

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