no zoning!

lonelyfarmgirl · #1 08/19/11, 09:29 PM

In the interest of our adventure in looking for a place to move, I would like to hear from those folks that live where there is no smart growth zoning, no comprehensive plan, etc.. We have no zoning here and are one of only a handful of townships left in the state without it. We are hating to have to move out of our no zoning area, but you can only play the cards you've been dealt right?

So who has no zoning? Especially interested in the zone 4 people. Thanks

NicoleandBrian · #2 08/19/11, 09:50 PM

Seeing that you're in cheese country I assume you're in Wisconsin. Which part are you in with no zoning? We would like to move up there someday.

Batt · #3 08/19/11, 09:59 PM

Major parts of Missouri have no zoning.

Harry Chickpea · #4 08/19/11, 10:01 PM

None here.

elevenpoint · #5 08/19/11, 10:17 PM

No zoning plus population has only increased by about 800 in the last 50 years in this county.

Alice In TX/MO · #6 08/19/11, 10:23 PM

No zoning here in southern Missouri.

No zoning in my part of south Texas.

The only zoning I've ever lived in was in the incorporated parts of Austin, Texas.

They have zoning in the country somewhere?

Sawmill Jim · #7 08/19/11, 10:40 PM

No zoning here and if they do i'm moving

Judy in IN · #8 08/19/11, 10:50 PM

No zoning here, and I'm trying to move without losing my butt! The year after I moved into my home, they built a dirt track right behind my place. That fall, they erected football style lights so they could race at night as well as during the day. This lasted for 3-4 years. FINALLY, enough people have complained, or they lost interest, and quit. (we are right up against the town limits) I cannot express the noise and lights in my yard! Had to turn the TV up so I could hear it, with thick walls and the windows closed. The kids would wander over and harass my horses. (one smacked them in the nose with a plastic bat for coming up to the fence) His dad was racing.

Now, the TOWN is building a new fire station RIGHT NEXT to me. I can't catch a break.

So, if you are so enamoured with no zoning, good luck to you. It hasn't been very good for me.

Old Vet · #9 08/20/11, 12:17 AM

Very limited zoning here. If you own 5 acres or more all you need is a septic permit 15 acres or more no zoning at all. That is why all of the acres is above 5 acres and much if it is over 15 acres. One county over has so many zoning regulations it is hard to build a house by your self.

TNHermit · #10 08/20/11, 12:26 AM

No zoning, No building codes, No new people,No new houses. for the last 10 years
All i get to listen to is crickets,cicadas, birds , whippoorwills,frogs, and stuff like that

TnAndy · #11 08/20/11, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNHermit

No zoning, No building codes, No new people,No new houses. for the last 10 years
All i get to listen to is crickets,cicadas, birds , whippoorwills,frogs, and stuff like that

Might want to check again, Hermit.

My understanding from a buddy in the building biz is the whole State of Tn has gone to a building inspection system, using State inspectors. You now have to call Nashville and schedule inspections for new construction, even in the counties. Changed just recently. Your count would have actively had to vote to opt out, otherwise they are included. The law specifically says "new" construction, and exempts remodeling.....at this time.....easy for 'em to slip THAT in later.

http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/...tennessee/#ahj

http://tn.gov/commerce/sfm/fpcesect.shtml

Read FAQ section in PDF, about 1/3 way down the page. Law was adopted August/2010.

And there has ALWAYS been a State requirement for electrical inspections, and septic planning.....every county.

As for zoning, you're seeing more and more of it.....due to the Feds. In order to qualify for Federal Flood Insurance, your county HAS to have a minimal zoning just to identify areas that are flood prone, and the buildings have to have the first floor build at a certain elevation above flood stage. Our county adopted it in the 80's, and it was a very minimal thing, but continued to grow ( as all govt programs do ) and get more restrictive/invasive/fee grabbing over time.

Lot of you folks MAY have zoning lying in "sleeper cell mode" and just not know it.....so you MIGHT want to visit your local county govt and see what they've been up to while you slept.

ET1 SS · #12 08/20/11, 08:33 AM

In this state, over 52% of the state is Unorganized Townships.

All UTs here enjoy lower taxes, and no zoning.

salmonslayer · #13 08/20/11, 02:37 PM

Our entire county is zoned agricultural and there are no building permits or any other required inspections other than if you install a new septic system. We happen to like it that way but the down side is that even a new house around here might have some issues and you have to be careful. Our old farmhouse was built by the original homesteader on our property in 1939 and even though we are only the third owner, we had to redo/undo a lot of what the previous owner did to the place.

There is a group here called the Ozarks Property Rights Congress that actively fights government intrusion on private land owners and they were instrumental in killing the implementation of Federal designation of the Ozarks as a "Heritage" area because they felt the restrictions werent worth the potential benefits. WE actively support what they are doing but I think others wouldnt be so happy with them since we are basically against growth, modernization or any perceived government intrusion.

We are very happy to live in an area like this where the overwhelming majority of landowners feel the same way. Some would hate it but around here few people want growth, the general feeling is the government needs to stay as small as possible, and you can do what you want to do on your own property as long as it doesnt infringe on your neighbors property.

The down side is like what Judy in IN experienced, you could end up with a hog farm right next door on one side and a junk yard on the other so you need to have enough land to limit that kind of impact and you need to pick your property carefully. Our county actually saw a decrease in population from the 2000 - 2010 census and there hasnt been a new house built in our area for almost a decade and property values arent going to increase much. Great for us as retirees who never plan on moving but not so good for younger folks just starting out.

Here is a link to the Ozarks Property Rights Congress and its worth a good read to see what can be accomplished by like minded people. www.ozarkspropertyrightscongress.com

I would be curious as to what people think of them.

Mike in Ohio · #14 08/21/11, 04:50 PM

No zoning in Union Township Carroll County Ohio. We do have deed restrictions on our farm and adjacent properties but nothing that bothers me.

Darren · #15 08/21/11, 10:07 PM

Most parts of WV are not zoned. If you look at a place in the mountains you might find the temperature range you like. The winters may be more than you can handle with the heavy snowfall that sticks around and the problems with traveling. Some of the valleys don't see the sun until 10:00 am or later.

lonelyfarmgirl · #16 08/22/11, 12:13 AM

heavy snow don't bother us. Winter here is pretty hard core, but no sun till 10AM? That would suck. I did spend quite a bit of time in WV as a kid. Beautiful there.

Yvonne's hubby · #17 08/22/11, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonelyfarmgirl

In the interest of our adventure in looking for a place to move, I would like to hear from those folks that live where there is no smart growth zoning, no comprehensive plan, etc.. We have no zoning here and are one of only a handful of townships left in the state without it. We are hating to have to move out of our no zoning area, but you can only play the cards you've been dealt right?

So who has no zoning? Especially interested in the zone 4 people. Thanks

I live in an area where there is no zoning nor local building codes to contend with. I love it.... due to not being restricted by building permits, a poor old farm boy was able to build a decent place to live that would have been literally impossible had I had the codes, and restrictions that are in place a couple counties to my west.... other folks milage may vary.

oz in SC V2.0 · #18 08/22/11, 10:13 AM

No zoning in this county,it is pretty much do as you want.
You are supposed to get permits for certain things,but if it is an 'agricultural building' the county can't do anything but approve it.

Kind of makes it pointless really but that is government.

Darren · #19 08/22/11, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonelyfarmgirl

heavy snow don't bother us. Winter here is pretty hard core, but no sun till 10AM? That would suck. I did spend quite a bit of time in WV as a kid. Beautiful there.

That depends on the orientation of the valley; east-west, north-south, and the season. Given the way the Appalachians were formed, the major valleys run north to south with a tilt to the northeast. The hollows that go off to the sides will run at about right angles, but not always.

While heavy snow may not bother you, traveling on steep and winding roads might when you're dealing with slick conditions.

Here the snow rarely amounts to much. Go a bit more than a hour east and it's a different world.

ErinP · #20 08/22/11, 11:35 AM

Zoning?
Or building codes?
Most counties are zoned now, even if it's nothing more than "X feet from the river is a flood area. You can't build here" and nothing else is specified.
As someone above mentioned, it's a FEMA requirement, IIRC.

Building codes, otoh, are pretty rare in rural areas...