Message from reader: I want to add a discovery I made in the state laws of VT. This is for the Residential Building Energy Standards – “The following residential construction shall not be subject to the requirements of this subchapter: … (D) The owner discloses in writing to a prospective buyer, before entering into a binding purchase and sales agreement, with respect to the nature and extent of any noncompliance with RBES. …” This exemption also requires the owner to be the builder plus occupier of the residence. This can be read here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/30/002/00051
no building codes
I’m Leaving Civilization: Wanna Come with Me?
Vince Edwards is an off-gridder who’s creating a model for a network of self-sustaining communities. He’s got 20 acres in Colorado and has written a book about it called, I’m Leaving Civilization: Wanna Come with Me? 110 pages, Kindle ebook for $9.99 at Amazon.com. Not surprisingly he’s come under attack by local authorities for his outspoken opinion on excessive building codes and regulations. He’s currently running for local sheriff to turn this situation around.
Couple Facing Arrest for Living Off-Grid on Their Own Property
“A Huntsville man joined the military to fight for our rights, but now he says his own rights are being threatened. A veteran and his girlfriend said their home was deemed ‘unsafe’ by city officials because they choose to live by self-sufficient means.
Best Places to Live with Minimal Building Codes: Small Communities in Decline
Consider investigating small rural communities with lax building codes for homesteading. Many of these communities are in slow decline and eager for new community members. Keep an eye out for properties for sale and related community information online. Many properties come on the market when seniors pass away and children want to live in big cities. Look for areas with good water and established gardens with good soil.
Best Places to Live with Minimal Building Codes: Pocahontas County, West Virginia
“Pocahontas County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,719. Its county seat is Marlinton. The county has a total area of 942 square miles (2,440 km2).
Zoning Destroys Neighborhood Business
Travel the world and you’ll see vibrant, beautiful, old world neighborhoods where small local businesses are integrated with residential homes. I call these ‘mixed use areas’. This is typically the way towns were set up for many years. In the US and some other western countries you see a stark separation between residential and business areas. This is because zoning regulations usually prohibit mom and pop businesses or any businesses at all in residential areas.