We’ve had a lively discussion for years here on our Natural Building Blog about the best places to live with few or no building codes that make it easy to build a home out of low cost natural materials and create a homestead. In my opinion the Ozarks is a top choice for natural building and homesteading in the US due to many factors.
no building codes
Best Places to Live with Minimal Building Codes: Washington County, MO
Comment from reader: “The county said no problem no building requirements. The environmental health officer in county seat was state inspector. He said no county restrictions but the state says you have to have a septic system – state supersedes county.” “Washington County is located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. … Read more
Best Places to Live with Minimal Building Codes: Lewis County, TN
I’ve been doing a series of articles recently on the best places to live in North America that have few or no building codes. I’m asking readers to send us their recommendations. Today’s article is the fifth installment of the series. I suggest moving to an area with minimal building codes to greatly reduce the cost of construction as well as escape many of the problems in urban areas such as high taxes and crime. For more on this topic, see Counties with Few or No Building Codes
Areas With Few or No Codes: East Tennessee
Message from a reader: “Just wanted to add my experience as an example if it helps someone (not selling anything). I bought 75 acres in Blaine, Tennessee (20 minutes east of Knoxville) back in 2014 for $146K. Rural, forest and hills, 4 seasons, but close enough to bigger cities. No building codes. TN has no state income tax. I pay around $100 a year for property tax because it is designated as “greenbelt.” The surrounding counties are the same and are very open to alternative building.
Few or No Building Codes in Rockcastle County, Kentucky
“Just wanted to chime in that we (Joana, Michael & Loren) are building in Rockcastle County, Kentucky and there are no building codes or regulations. We asked at the courthouse where the building regulations department was when we were thinking about buying the piece of property we are currently building on….they said with a certain measure of pride “Do you see a codes and regulations department in this courthouse? The people don’t want it!”
Minimal “Owner-Built Code” in Cochise County, Arizona
Hi Owen, I plan to build in Cochise County, Arizona and they have what they call an “Owner Built” building permit program (for rural residential dwellings) that does not require regular inspections, etc. Owners can build pretty much anything they want as long as they apply, and pay for, a permit. After that there are no inspections or approvals.