outbuilding and tax question..

mamita · #1 06/03/10, 08:40 AM

I don't know what it is everywhere, but here you can have a small outbuilding without it being taxed. we refurbished our 8'X10' shed completely. I've always called it the garden house, but it is now our guest room. it is plastered on the interior, vinyl flooring, built in bed/seating area. it's so nice, and I've shown pictures here before. (ladies, I'll post pics of it totally finished soon. if you love little houses, it's just darned adorable) anyway...because it's our little guest area, we'd like to put a little porch roof over the front door with a small patio. I was even thinking of screening in that area, so would that suddenly make it larger in how they measure for taxing? the extended roof probably wouldn't matter, right? but soon as I screened it in, it would make it a measurable space? nope...do not want to ask at the boro building. next thing ya know, I'd have somebody snooping around I'm sure. just thought I'd ask your thoughts. thanks.

TheMartianChick · #2 06/03/10, 09:06 AM

Maybe you could put the addition on the back? I have a lot of knowledge about our local zoning regulations and I am in and out of the department on a regular basis. In our area, an addition like you describe would be taxable. You might want to call the local zoning office from a public phone and ask that question before you build

Patt · #3 06/03/10, 09:13 AM

A lot of cities/counties regularly check properties via satellite today. So whether you let them know or not they may be checking for building activity anyways.

Timberline · #4 06/03/10, 10:10 AM

In my county it is the eave size they measure, so if you're little building has a porch or big eaves, that's how it would be measured here.

dezingg · #5 06/03/10, 10:51 AM

A lot of areas allow a single 8 x 10 shed without affecting the property taxes. Of course they are assuming a shed used for storage of some type and that there's no water or electricity inside.

texican · #6 06/03/10, 11:13 AM

Just hope your local assessor isn't on this board... a second 'home' on your place would be a pretty hefty tax hike!

wy_white_wolf · #7 06/03/10, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican

Just hope your local assessor isn't on this board... a second 'home' on your place would be a pretty hefty tax hike!

Hope that at least your zoning allows for 2 houses. If not it comes down.

Here we are allowed without tax or permit buildings of 144 square feet or less for the sole purpose of storage. That is measured by the footprint of the building. Any floor area under the porch roof would be counted (screened or not).

mamita · #8 06/03/10, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican

Just hope your local assessor isn't on this board... a second 'home' on your place would be a pretty hefty tax hike!

lol..doesn't matter as long as it isn't bigger than what it is. I already know this 8X10 building size isn't taxed, just wondered about a new roof with a bit of a porch roof over the door.

having electric or water doesn't matter either, this I know for sure. it's all about size, and I know when the tax man was here (due to us adding on to the garage), he just measures around the perimeter of the building. so I was thinking if they measure around the bottom, then a roof line shouldn't matter. guess I'll do the suggestion of making a random call. THANKS so much for the replies!!!

for the record...if our tax man was on this board.......he is the creepiest person I've ever met. nothing to do with taxes either. lol

geez...went outside...rain is back. blah....

Peace n Quiet · #9 06/03/10, 12:34 PM

Lol... I'm an assessor in PA. What county are you in? Nooo... don't tell me.
In my county any outbuilding under 250 sq ft is not taxed if used as a shed. If the use changes to anything else, like a cabin or seasonal living space, then that changes things. Also, open porches, decks, and patios here are not taxed. But in other counties they are!
It really depends on your specific county. Call them anonymously and ask.

1fast68 · #10 06/03/10, 01:12 PM

We have a "liveable" shed on our property and it's now taxed as a 2nd house. Talk about a shock when the tax bill came in.

mamita · #11 06/03/10, 01:25 PM

I did figure it probably varies a bit from county to county. 1fast68, if it's tiny, tho, how in the world could they assume it's 'liveable'? you don't have to let them in. guess if somebody got riled about mine, I'd park a shovel or two in the corner...instant tool shed. no law says your tool shed has to be ugly.

guess I'm also storing some furniture. lol

RiverPines · #12 06/03/10, 04:43 PM

Everyone's locality varies as to how one is taxed.

Talk to neighbors maybe?

Here they go by size and use.
If its used for people's stuff its a higher tax than if its used only for animal supplies.

If its to live in, here its not just tax you would have to worry about, its building code and permits! You dont want to get caught here building a room for a person to sleep in with out all the red tape taken care of. The penalties ad up fast.

Also here you cant hide from the tax man as every few years they come out to your property to asses it. They tax by what they see.

Ravenlost · #13 06/03/10, 06:36 PM

Why not put up a trellis or arbor instead of a porch with roof?

tamsam · #14 06/03/10, 06:48 PM

When my kids came to Fla to live I had to get another bedroom quick. We had a rear deck with a roof over it, but I found out that anything I closed in had to be inspected and all the red tape and taxes would go up a bunch. Well after scratching my head I found a camping trailer just the right size. I bought it and backed it right up to the roof on the deck and it worked perfect for the boy's bedroom. We also did some camping with it. Good luck with your spare room. Sam

edcopp · #15 06/03/10, 08:10 PM

If I were your county auditor I would increase your taxes as soon as I could. That would be my job, right? That is what you elected me to do, so I would do it. Tax regulations apply to you too, not just everybody else.

Now due to your extensive renovations it sounds like I could probably nail you for about $3 every half year.

sunshinytraci · #16 06/04/10, 10:47 AM

I'm not an assessor, nor do I want to be, but I have built houses and buildings in the past in several different states. How it has always been explained to me is that a building is taxed on the size of the 'footprint" or rather the amount of ground that is "under roof." It includes awnings and porches. I am currently taxed for the porch awning I attached to my barn for my horses and goats to have some shade outside their boxstalls.

If you lived where I do, adding a porch or an awning will add to the footprint of your building and increase it's size and perhaps put it into a taxable bracket. But since property taxes are local taxes you are going to have to inquire about your specific laws because mine may be totally different.

ronbre · #17 06/04/10, 10:56 AM

even though we have done a lot of improvements here, our tax bills have gone down the last 2 maybe 3 years..so i wouldn't worry about it too much..if it was in Michigan

cowboy joe · #18 06/04/10, 11:02 AM

The NY county I live in taxes every structure. The taxable amount varies depending upon the type of structure (living space, out building, greenhouse, etc) and the sq ft. On the upside, only enclosed space counts. As example, I built a 20x20 (400sq ft) enclosed barn with an additional 10x20 overhang. Only the 400 sq ft count as an outbuilding per local zoning.

The other zoning code of interest pertains to living space. "Dwellings / apartments" must be a minimum of 500 sq ft to obtain a certificate of occupancy (C of O). No building may be occupied as living space unless a C of O has been obtained.

Does the zoning department for your town have a website? If they do, you might be able to locate the zoning / tax codes on their site.

mamita · #19 06/04/10, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenlost

Why not put up a trellis or arbor instead of a porch with roof?

I LOVE this idea! thanks, Ravenlost!

I feel like I should say that we aren't people that try to sham the taxes. we pay our share, believe me. we bought a neighboring property that has a mobile home that was NEVER liveable. no water, no septic, heck..the bathroom fixtures were torn out years ago. yet we KNOW it is considered a 'home', so we've paid full property tax on it without complaint. someday we'll rip it down, till then...we pay what is owed. BUT...adding on to our present house is just too costly these days. high cost building permits, inspections...things that have been now put across the entire state as law, are now just beyond reason. so if I can have a 'shed' of a small size without being taxed, then let me have it without grief...to use as I wish.

I love asking questions, but sometimes people just try to make you feel so low or something. I again thank everyone that helped!!

I just have this little house and wondered if I put a porch roof over...and a wild thought of screening it in...IF that would change the dynamics of the structure tax wise. NOT to SCAM anyone, just because I don't want to pay more than we do. now I'm thinking that's a bad idea, and I'm glad I got the input that helped me decide.

it will not have the porch! lol

Prismseed · #20 06/04/10, 02:09 PM

Why not just build a separate 8x10 Screened in gazebo type thing close by?

Or get one of those retractable awnings if all you're looking for is a shade maker.