New member in Utah

[Stea]

Administrator, If I put this in the wrong section please move the post.

Hello everybody, Im a new member in Utah.

A little info. I own 10 acres in Central Utah at 9500' and will be building a yurt this summer. My original plan was a small cabin but the building restrictions are just nuts in this area. Minimum requirements for a cabin is 400 sq feet and to have a poured foundation, well and septic system. A well in my area averages 500-600 feet deep at a cost of 30-50K, no way Im going to do that.

After going back and forth with the county building department it was agreed that a 20' yurt would be acceptable as long as there is no hard wiring or plumbing. The yurt must remain portable. That leaves a lot to interpretation. My wife and myself actually like the yurts better than a small cabin anyway.

Ive been in contact with Shelter Designs and will more than likely go with their 20' Eco Yurt. Hays at Shelter Designs has been very helpful.

Im sure I will be asking a ton of questions and have been reading past posts.

Picture of the area.

 

[Bob Rowlands]

Thanks for the photos. All I can say is you are going to like a 20' yurt. IMO the perfect size. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Ivan]

Looks like a beautiful area

 

[Stea]

Thanks guys, getting antsy to get going on the yurt but the snow doesn't clear off until the end of May - 1st of June. Its going to be a long wait.

 

[Bob Rowlands]

You know, there is something fundamentally wrong with the government when it has the power to dictate how someone goes about building a tent. Sheeesh. In the meantime get tools in order, sharp blades, cord cracks mended, replace cord ends with missing grounds, new oil in the generator etc. Think about the build and plan things out. Review the details. I'm sure you are chomping on the bit. You'll get there, patience....patience....lol

 

[Stea]

Thanks Bob, I've been mulling building a modified SIP panel style deck. Basically cut the pie pieces, frame with 2x6 and insulate. Maybe use 3/4x6. T&g. Pine flooring instead of plywood. I have access to cheap ISO insulation to fill the cavities. May get a pattern for the framing made up this weekend if I get bored.

And yes the building dept. Sticking their nose in on a tent build is rediculous .

 

[hierony]

Was reading your other posts and wondering how you were doing electricity?

The property where I have my yurt setup has a mobile home on it where the owner lives. The yurt is setup ~90 ft from the utility pole that's right next to the mobile such that I can run a 100 ft 12 gauge construction grade extension cord to the yurt from the pole (I wouldn't trust the wiring in an 80's mobile home...). I got a power monitor and a heavy gauge 3-plug adapter for running everything in the yurt (mini fridge, lighting, microwave, laptops/cell phone & battery chargers, induction cooktop, etc). Can't run the microwave, induction burner, or other kitchen appliances simultaneously, but the fridge & lights only uses ~200 watts both running. I got 8 LED bulbs, five are 1600 lumen and the rest 800 lumen; ridiculously bright and only ~100 watts. I might swap out one or two 1600 bulbs for 1200 lumen ones.

What are you planning on doing for 'non-permanent' water?

 

[Stea]

Yurt will be a "camp" no hard wiring or water lines.

Will do the same as our camp trailer. Bring water in and what power we do need will be from the genertor.

May run a couple solar panels to provide 12 volt power to a few lights.

 

[Bob Rowlands]

That's gonna work.

In order to build my yurt I had to place the deck pads on top of the ground to satisfy the local codes, or face a building permit and gov't inspection fees. lol It is just as legal as a Home Depot or Lowes shed with the built in pad that needs no foundation. Even though that yurt deck is built like a tank, not at all nomadic and demountable, it technically is not deemed permanent because it it laying on the ground. Cool!