I’m an Architect and lived in TN and got my degree there. It will become permanent doing 2 things. Fill your masonry piers with concrete and strap anchor the building to the piers. You can use Anchor Bolts too. Having permanent power is also another means of making it permanent. Finally if the county doesn’t have building inspections the code is unenforceable. The state doesn’t have code inspectors except for Electrical. They won’t illegally trespass either.

As a shed builder and dealer. It amazes me how the government being so hard on these buildings for living units tells me they would rather have people homeless.

As long as you're not hurting anyone you should be able to do what you want on YOUR LAND!

It's your fault for asking the criminal class's permission. I just built my small home without asking criminals if I could.

Moral of the story is keep the state and government out of your life as much as possible. They're scammers.

This is exactly why I chose not to youtube about many of the interesting things I'm doing on my Tennessee homestead. It's a little too late for you guys but the best advice for others is simply don't ask, don't tell, do your own thing and keep yourself off the radar. You could write your congressman and try and get the law changed but that is unlikely to work since Clayton Homes is probably a large political donor and the one that pushed the regulations through in the first place. This is a classic example of the corrupt merger of corporate and government power that surrounds us everywhere in society today.

Maybe think outside the box? I wanted to build a shop the gov said I couldn't because I was zoned agriculture. So I redid the plans and added door on the back. Went back up and they said no you can't build said yes I can cause that is a door for the goats. Goats are agriculture and you can't stop me. Real nice shop.

Suggestion: First add mobile-home tie downs, four on each side, which render the structure "Not Readily Removable". Then remove a portion of one of the walls and add a room. The removal of structure satisfies the "deconstruction" option, and the added room adds to the "Not Readily Removable" requirement. Good luck and best wishes from "Off The Grid" in New Mexico.

The best "loophole".....Don't Ask, Don't tell. When you try to do the right thing, you always get screwed.

What's funny is that they would allow you to live out of you car or in a tent on your property, but not a "movable structure". How messed up is that?

It sure is easy for someone who has a house to deny somebody else a place to live. 💙 T.E.N.

I bought a property in a lake in northern Quebec. I slowly cleared a spot for a cabin and brought up a trailer with an enclosed porch (black flies around crazy) The municipality randomly showed up and inspected the property. I got fined for a removable dwelling, an outhouse the didn’t meet code and too many trees cut down to the waterline. I explained it was a temporary solution till I could build. They dropped that fine, I had to properly vent the outhouse and paint the inside 😂 And I have to spread grass seed to start vegetation growth on part of the hill to the lake. In the end it’s all about property taxes. I pay school taxes for a property 3 hours off any kept road…

A friend of mine grew up on a farm. During WW2, his father was not allowed to put an addition to his house for his expanding family. The rules of war did allow him to build a chicken coop. So he did. Got his permits and everything. After the finished chicken coop was done and approved, he dragged it over to the house, attached, and moved in.

Imagine if all the cabins of early settlers had been subject to 'codes'!

Having gone through basically the same thing, there is a "loop-hole" that can save your problem..!! Raise your "shed" off those blocks, and construct a foundation underneath, and anchor the shed to it..!! Then it's no longer considered a "movable" structure..!! De-construct the front porch and rebuild a new one with a little change in design and walla...tiny house reborn - by hand..!!

Raising awareness creates space to progress forward in a productive and effective mannor to update and reform our system for optimal living conditions for all. Proud of yall for your bravery and ambition! Thank you for sharing your story!! ❤🎉

It’s amazing that we have people living in tents all over the country but these people can’t live there.

Pour concrete posts under it to support it and bolt the building to the posts so it is no longer a ready removal building. :You may have to have the poured concrete posts inspected. This transformation will 1. Make the building safer in strong winds 2. Disqualify the building from falling under the ready removal code. 3. NOT REQUIRE any dismantling of the building. 4. Should allow you to legally live in it again. Alternatively, there are ready made piers in about 3 pieces of concrete that are a couple hundred bucks each and can be pushed down into the ground with a house jack (there are UKposts videos about it). All stick-built houses are bolted to their foundations to comply with codes (except maybe for some really old homes). S that is all you need-a permanent type foundation and some bolts.

So sorry. I am a builder, and have dealt with this confusion, and have friends and family that have had to deconstruct. It is a shame in a situation like yours, that has no business being a situation to begin with. Good luck! Hang in there! You will prevail!

If you put a foundation under the tiny house, it will make it a permanent home. You could make it deep enough to have a basement for storage. You will need the permit for the foundation. ❤

My husband was our towns building inspector here in Tennessee for a little while and he says to pour concrete into the blocks and use tie downs or lag bolt the structure to the columns, plus putting a skirting or covering around the bottom whill make it a permanent structure and no longer mobile

I own two "removable structures" here in Blount County Tennessee. They are no longer "Removable", they are listed as permanent structures as they now have permanent foundations. They both have a solid poured footer and are blocked up to the bottom of the home with steel access doors to get under the home for repair access. The state and county now shows them as married to the lot. You can come look at mine. They are properly tied down. You may possibly complete your build as a permanent structure using what you already have for a start. I do not know. I do know that mine are now permitted as permanent structures with the tax collectors office. If you can copy what was done to mine, you may be good to go. FYI the foundation was installed AFTER the homes were located on the property.

I live in Texas. We live outside the city limits. We have no building restrictions. We love it! Building a Barndo right now.

Petition the legislature to change this law. This is ridiculous law. Those buildings are built well. Would make a great tiny home.

if you were to build a foundation, pick the building up and anchor it to the foundation, would that not constitute a a new build ? once the building is anchored to the foundation it is no longer a transportable building. Greetings from Australia

After a very frustrating experience involving a greenhouse on my property, I learned to never actively involve authorities in my activities.

I used to deliver similar buildings. If you remove the skids, they are no longer movable without considerable effort. Pour footings and add tie-down straps. Done

I have seen others mention adding a foundation to the home to make it a permanent structure. I believe that this makes a lot of sense. As an addition however, I am looking at your setup and the current foundation showing on your structure. I would not want to be relying on that setup for a home I wanted to live in for decades. I have lived in homes that had similar foundations, and every one was suffering some issues with the floors. Over time, the flooring will start to warp, from time weather and the weight of the structure itself. Houses settle over time. I would highly recommend simply creating a permanent foundation for the house. It may well save you a lot of issues in the long run. Good luck!

Like the architect said, just anchor it in the ground. It makes it a permanent structure. That’s what me and wife did and got approval.

Deconstruct one wall and add a room, while also permanently anchoring the whole structure. No longer removeable and you deconstructed it too. Hope it works out for y'all. 😊 ❤

I used to build these sheds for a company in my local area and the way they are assembled makes it very easy to take apart in panels. And if you were to do that then it would no longer be a structure. And then you could put it back together. No need to take the siding off the walls. Or the windows out.... good luck

Exactly what some other views relplied . 1) The shed has stamped enginerred plans - get them ! 2) Secure the piers 3) Plumbing ? Get a compostable Toilet . 4) Is there a max. size requirement ? I'm going to have to go through the same BS .

As a fellow Tennesseean and engineer...consult a professional engineer in your area. Often the PE stamp circumvents a lot of red tape and for a small fee, you can move forward.

It's all about making sure people don't live freely. They want you controlled, strapped with a mortgage, paying high taxes and forced to use corporate ran utilities, etc. Don't give up. Don't give in. We have a right to use our property as we please and live freely

Build an inexpensive room next to it for your bedroom, therefore where you live and your "shed" will continue to be a shed with a couch.

Thanks for this video! What a bummer! I'm so sorry. It just goes to show that you can do your "due diligence" and still have complications come up 😥 I hope you get this issue resolved ASAP.

Just remember as nice as your community/ followers are there are always going to be someone that feels the need to involve themselves in your personal business and try to mess up what you're doing

This is America! Its hard to become free from the system that wants us to work for the rich. Keep fighting because nature is freedom.

I just saw your UKposts about this, putting it on a slab, or better yet a basement for tornado safety. I am a retired multi disciplinary engineer. About 40 years ago I did what you are trying to do now. It is a staggering amount of work.

In Virginia when someone fails to get a building permit (and all inspections) the county comes in and inspects each part separately. Foundation/footings, framing, elec., plumbing, etc. It may be that simple.

Everyone needs to get together and fight for the right for these affordable houses.

Another avenue: Since the county and state have no inspectors, you can hire your own certified home inspector to give you legal documentation that your residence is safe. Shouldn't be too difficult to find one of those guys for a couple hundred bucks. Your real estate company can direct you to a reputable business (they use this service all the time)

I was a framing carpenter before I became an electrician. From what I'm able to see in your background I would put a concrete foundation under that "readily" moveable structure.

I would like to commend you on your ability to deconstruct and reassemble the whole house overnight. The way you guys were able to do it all at night with no night vision goggles is very impressive.

If you own the land you should be able to do what you wish as long as it’s not a hazard or safety issue for others. It’s a great looking cabin and you’re not hurting anyone.

Lesson #1, Never say where you are! When you do, you are setting yourself up to have some jack ass do their utmost to destroy your dreams!😢

The WHY, is because the structure COULD be moved to somewhere that DOES care. As many other people stated, simply make it NOT movable, and you're golden.

All you have to do is add a permanent foundation. Trench around it to lay brick foundation to where the structure is fixed not movable

As a builder in KY and TN, the way we always got around this was to attach it to a solid foundation with footers. Same as mobile homes, it makes it a permanent structure instead of a mobile. I have completed 2 in scott Co. Tn. This was how we were able to classify them as permanent structure

Remember, back in the day when the taxman charged for closets, people started building wardrobe (stand alone closets). You can still buy a wardrobe to this day and it does not count as a closet. There is always a way around stuff if you think outside the closet…er, um box. ❤

im in Canada living on the REZ better known as Six Nations of the Grand River im native 61 year old women living in my tiny house 10X24 no permits needed no running water but i get free water in the village and have a hot shower running in my home solar powered and runs on propane i have hydro and fully insulated n dry walled live here since 2014 returning from BC i own the land over 30 years id say to u bot take apart as much as u can n rebuild ask builder u purchased from help to do so its worth asking, DONE! don't give up ok best wishes to u both things will get better im watching and praying for the best for u both❤

Guys just lift it up and put it on wheels. And put a hitch on the back to where it seems that it’s movable. Good luck. I built a tiny house my self on wheels and planning on leaving in it, we had same problem you guys have

The fault for a lot of homesteaders and off-grid people is they announce to the public what they're doing, such as social media.

Move it off the blocks to a different place on your property close to your location where you want to have your house. Then dig a basement with a bulldozer concrete floor and put in the concrete walls then put the house back on top of it. Now you have a permanent structure with extra space and a tornado shelter. or you could even put a bomb shelter underneath it and attach it to the house. Once you put it in the ground you make it a permanent foundation and a permanent house.

Thanks for your honesty

It's only "ready removable" because it has runners under it but it doesn't really need runners if it's not being moved so just remove the runner boards under the structure

The easy option is to move it aside, put in footers and a block foundation. Then move it onto the foundation and remove the "skids" that make it moveable. While you are doing that you could install anchor bolts for wind issues like tornadoes, which will have you better than now. You could just trim the skids making them into support beams for tie down as well. Lots of final building options but bolting to a foundation removes your prime issue. Even if you do not know how, That area is fairly cheap to install footers and block. Lots of folks do it. However look at vapor barrier and drainage while doing all of this. I bet the Amish know someone.

I think a lot of homesteaders get themselves in trouble by starting a channel based on their lives. While it’s a great help to those wanting to get started, it also puts your build out there for everyone to see. There are some people I swear that have absolutely nothing better to do than watch these videos and turn people in for anything and everything. I had thought about starting a channel on rehabbing our 100 year old house into an offgrid home, but ultimately decided to keep it private for these very reasons. Well, that and all the UKposts professionals out there.

I feel for you. I’m sorry you’re going through this. It will work out.

Move the shed, put down enough Piers to support the structure and make sure that there are brackets on top of the Piers to support Lag Bolts, then put the shed on the Piers. Secure the beams under the shed to brackets on the Piers with Lag Bolts. The Shed is no longer considered a removable structure. If you want to take it a step further; put bricks or blocks around the pier foundations up to the point where they cover the beams that support the shed. (but leave holes where the Lag Bolts are, in case you move)... Just a thought...

They just passed a similar law here in my county in Florida and I think it's absolutely ridiculous. The government should not have the authority to tell you what you can and can't have on property you own. We need to start filling lawsuits against these absurd, overreaching laws.

As a recently retired Tennessee General Contractor (CIR), the permanent foundation is the first thing to do. Also, the state requires an Electrical Inspection and a State Septic Permit.

I feel for you. Since your structure is “a removable, structure” it seems that if you could make it “a permanent” structure, that should satisfy the states requirements. I lived in Alaska for some 60 years. I started out on my property of 10 acres in a 12 x 60 trailer. I later built onto it and also took down the first 30 feet of walls and rebuilt it so it was every bit of house. However, to put insurance on it I had to make it “a permanent structure.“ I found that all I had to do was have somebody come out and cut off the tongue of the trailer. The steak didn’t recognize it as a permanent structure and the insurance company didn’t recognize it as a permanent structure as long as the tongue was still in place. There must be somebody that can tell you what qualifies your structure as being movable. With that information in mind, you may be in a better position to turn it into what the state would consider permanent. I truly wish you all the best. You have a beautiful place. Don

When it comes to the lumber I was told if you get an engineer to sign off on the lumber for structural strength pertaining to it's use , you are good .

That was real fun disassembling that just to put it all back together. Thanks to everyone that came out to help make this building a "building"

As someone who inspects foundations I would lean towards placing the building on what is required for a "permanent foundation" so the building is no longer "readily removeable".

Having the same issue myself. The US will do everything possible to scale a self built home to what the market is. They don't want people to find alternatives for less money, because then nobody would buy a 500,000$ house. It's insane that no matter how much research you do, they will find a reason not to let you live how you want.

Okay so I don't specifically know TN code, but I've been offgrid for 12yrs. Here's what I'd do & what we did. Stay in the camper as your living space. The shed is just that. A shed. I'd start on building an actual cabin following code. Here's where a ton of offgrid folks get themselves in trouble. Septic!! Put in a legit to code septic system on the cabin, footers on the cabin. I know in sc you have to have 2 doors for the firecode. Front door & a back door. Electrical is very important to follow. Please do not use a compost toilet it's just asking for trouble. Plus dumping your own poop gets really old after a while😅. Good luck y'all. It sucks y'all put all that money into that shed. You could eventually convert it to a vacation stay and bring in extra cash, or just convert it to a work shed.

The difference between a mobile home and manufacturer housing is that manufactured housing sets on a permanent foundation and a mobile home does not. By changing the Movable title status and make it a permanent it is no longer a movable or removable.

One option you could try is to have the wood inspected. There are inspectors for sawmills that inspect the dryness of the wood and stamp it. That seems to be what is holding you up from meeting the codes. I also agree that if it were to be permanently attached to some kind of foundation, it wouldn't be "removable." Keep your heads up and keep fighting! We are all rooting for you! ❤

We are doing the same thing and we are in FL, with we was closer we would help you out by Taking a picture of you of the building. Take a completely apart exit for a few odds and ends resemble, get back up. For you. I pray and hope that you get the help that you need to continue. You're journey in life that bless youboth

Easiest thing you can do is place like 12 permanent posts off to a side of it. Meaning 4x4 or larger posts 3.5ft deep in the ground, pour quick set concrete to the top of the holes. Level them off, build a subfloor, and screw or adhear the bottom to the subfloor/posts with metal braces. Then it is not rem9vable.

This is a perfect example to why I will never let anyone know what I do on my own damn property! Had you not had a channel, or had you never asked anyone about anything, you’d probably never have a single issue.

As i was just in the Philippines, living in a houseade half of tree branches with a half steel, half nipa roof, with no code, with a kitchen they use open flame wood to cook with. I realize how "free" we are not in the USA

I was in shock, I watched yunz before and I wanted a happy life for you, I've lived in Tn all my life, we built buildings & no body said anything

Guys I’m so sorry. Starting to read your headline, I honestly was thinking…”that’s why you should move to Tennessee.” Then to see that’s where your story begins, well shocked me immensely. My suggestion would be to build onto your building. To me that is a loophole that is very realistic. Again many people in the south love to live by the the don’t tell if they don’t ask. Why don’t you say that you built it to begin with giving the warning of the individual questioning how you was able to slide by that regulation. Anyway I love your attitutudes and proud to have you in Tennessee. Try the addition to what you have, it then will be custom built. Then don’t ask just tell we built it. It will be true without lying. I live over in Paris Tn, it’s 5 and half to 6 hrs west. We have couple cabins in Sevierville Tn. One is for sale everything is brand new. EVERYTHING! roof, all interior, central h/air, all appliances, lighting and furniture. Can even finish basement to add one or two more bedrooms. 1080 Shell mountain rd. Never stayed one night in it since purchased or finished it. Woods and creek on property. So your second choice could be leave Chattanooga! Lol. I am about to put a Mennonite cabin converted to cabin on this recently purchased property. And as we say they can go straight 🔥before telling me what I do on my property. It’s only 7 acres. No water or electricity available. Get this closest electricity less than 1/4 mi away. They honestly tell 3 property owners, me and 2 others. It will be 65 thousand dollars to run it to your property. Hello generator and solar panels. If this stipulation has been put in by lobbyist on behalf of Clayton or Champion homes, shame on them and get out of our state. Enough babble. Thank you for choosing TN. I love and wife myself and our kids have driven to experience 49 of our 50 states in the US. We lack Hawaii. One day. Favorite trip drove up to Canada, across the providences to British Columbia , thru the Yukon into Skagway Alaska. It was awesome! And the wildlife traveling thru British Columbia cannot be beat.good luck and keep fighting.

After reading the actual code, if you pour footings under the structure and secure it to the footings, it is no longer easily relocated. Just a thought.

This is a perfect example of looking for drama. They said you could build a house out of toothpicks. I would have left it at that and never thought about it again

I just happened upon one of your videos and I am now a new subscriber😃 You both seem to be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to binge watching your videos from the very beginning😊

I build everything until I am tagged. Most counties don’t even know their own rules. Just disassemble the little home and rebuild it. Makes for a great video series and now all worries are done.

You guys should form an off grid homeowners association countrywide with your own lawyers to defend use in cases like this

Do NOT GIVE UP or let them win! Go to the local news to ask for reconstruction help you’ll get it asap if you tell this story. Or, go offline for a few weeks, research or ask the county what accounts for rebuilding it.

It's your property, your home you should be able to do what you want.... It's we the people 😊🙏🏻

Ya’ll did a great job rebuilding that cabin, looks great! 🤙

I agree with the other comments. Have the lumber inspected and stamped. Then pour footings and block up to the house. Don't give up on your dream 😊

Make a concrete foundation and attach the home so that it is no longer readily removable whenever you re construct it 😊

I am so sorry you guys. I wish I could help you. I lived off grid for years and recently moved back on grid. I’m working on getting back off grid because I hate the on grid lifestyle. I totally feel for you.

File and set plans to pour a foundation for a house. Then build a sub structure to hold your mini home. It then should become a part of your "Permanent Structure".

I just don’t know HOW they can enforce this code if so many with the state are not even aware of that code?!

Put a gate with no trespassing signs! Never let anyone on your property!

Basicly in order to make an building no removable you just need a foundation built into the earth . So dig a whole under the structure and attach concrete that will take care of it

Me and my wife live in West Tennessee we never had any problems that’s crazy never heard of that before good luck don’t give up

Sounds like the law is definitely designed to enrich large contractors. Bet it directly benefits some members of the Tennessee house & senate... Good luck to you both👍

I really wish people could get together and come to help these people. I am a contractor and could probably get some people to pitch in. But seriously people need to get together and let's help this couple. This is the life I dream of myself someday.

That was my first thought. Make it not readily removable. You could even ask the building inspector how you could make it so. Ask him to define readily removable. After all he must know what he is looking for in this respect.

You broke our Rule #1...... Never ask a question unless you really want the answer!

I’m in a county in Alabama that doesn’t have a building code for outside of the cities. We build whatever we want to and mind our own business. We’re definitely not calling the state to ask for permission. The state doesn’t want to take on all of the farmers out here that has been building whatever for many decades now. Also, Sometimes it’s best to ask for forgiveness than for permission. Loose lips sinks ships

Rather than deconstruct the building, go ahead and finish it for a "shop" without having to retrofit the entire project (especially if your Amish wood does not meet the vague 2018 requirements). Then start your dwelling from scratch right next to the shop with a covered breezeway from one building to the next. You will live in the second building as your home and use the shop as a place to do woodwork for your house, for recreation etc. My husband built our house before we met and together we built a shop/office on the property a few hundred feet from the house. I don't know how many acres you have but I believe your time and money would be better spent if you finished the shop so you have a place to build all of the projects for your eventual home rather than try doing all of this outside in the weather. You wouldn't need to do much more to it other than electrical and insulation to be able to use it as a functioning shop. Having an indoor shop first could turn a detriment into an asset to help you build and finish your home. Whatever you decide, my heart goes out to you both for having the determination to do it yourselves. I'm rooting for you both! 😉

Thats what I was going to say. Deconstruct and re construct it. I mean "deconstruct and reconstruct." How would they know. You can just say you did. Or take some piecess off it and record part of it while your battery is on low and say "oh gosh guys sorry, we had technical issues and didnt capture the process." God bless you guy and have fun.

So sorry guys, hang in there ❤