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[seaking333]

Hi, i'm new here...

for a long, long time i have been dreaming about finding somewhere on this planet that i could get a little bit of land, build my own house on it, and live in that house without interference from some government or other..!

so, i was just wondering if anyone knows wether, in this free-state project, one is allowed to build one's own house? - and can you just live there and grow your own food and not be troubled by meddling 'officials'?!!

x

[Dreepa]

Hi, i'm new here...

for a long, long time i have been dreaming about finding somewhere on this planet that i could get a little bit of land, build my own house on it, and live in that house without interference from some government or other..!

so, i was just wondering if anyone knows wether, in this free-state project, one is allowed to build one's own house? - and can you just live there and grow your own food and not be troubled by meddling 'officials'?!!

x

there are places in NH without building codes (grafton for one).... but eventually I think that some town official will eventually ask you to pay taxes on that house.

welcome to the forum.

[Russell Kanning]

the great news is
inside this freestate project .... almost everyone would let you build a house and live as you please while you don't hurt other people
the current thugs that run the government in NH .... not quite that nice

[Bazil]

Unfortunately there is plenty of GOV meddling, but less so than a lot of places.  In a lot of places in NH as long as you pay your taxes they will leave you alone besides.  So for the most part you can get what you want.

[MaineShark]

There's nowhere in NH that you aren't allowed to build your own house, and it's legal, even.

There are state building codes that you are supposed to follow.  Most towns have inspectors to verify that you did.  A small number (Grafton has been mentioned) don't inspect, so there's really no way for them to enforce the code.

There are some regulations regarding septic systems and wells that the State tends to enforce.  You can still install them, yourself, but the State tends to want to check up on you to make sure you're following their rules.

Joe

[Porcupine Realtor]

There are lots in NH on which you cannot build "legally."  Examples would be where the lots are mostly wetlands or don't have enough frontage, or where the soil (per perc tests) won't allow for a septic system.

If you see 5 acres for $15K in the southern half of the state, it's probably unbuildable. 

Porcupine Realtor

[Bazil]

There are lots in NH on which you cannot build "legally."  Examples would be where the lots are mostly wetlands or don't have enough frontage, or where the soil (per perc tests) won't allow for a septic system.

If you see 5 acres for $15K in the southern half of the state, it's probably unbuildable. 

Porcupine Realtor

Yep I shopped for a house for three years before I finally bought one late last year and I came across a lot of unbuildable properties.  Many towns have set backs that are either too large or have minimum acreage.  I live in southern NH and most of the towns with lower populations that I looked at have a 3 acre minimum.  Almost bought a house on two acres in such a town (built before the three acre rule went into effect).  If I had done so I would have been unable to build anything beyond the current footprint of the house.

[MaineShark]

Yep I shopped for a house for three years before I finally bought one late last year and I came across a lot of unbuildable properties.  Many towns have set backs that are either too large or have minimum acreage.  I live in southern NH and most of the towns with lower populations that I looked at have a 3 acre minimum.  Almost bought a house on two acres in such a town (built before the three acre rule went into effect).  If I had done so I would have been unable to build anything beyond the current footprint of the house.

Depends upon the town.  If you're adding a utility building, not a dwelling unit, there may not be an issue with the minimum lot size.  Additions may or may not be allowed.

They balance their desire to run your life, with their desire to let you improve your property, so they can tax you more...

Joe

[Bazil]

Yep I shopped for a house for three years before I finally bought one late last year and I came across a lot of unbuildable properties.  Many towns have set backs that are either too large or have minimum acreage.  I live in southern NH and most of the towns with lower populations that I looked at have a 3 acre minimum.  Almost bought a house on two acres in such a town (built before the three acre rule went into effect).  If I had done so I would have been unable to build anything beyond the current footprint of the house.

Depends upon the town.  If you're adding a utility building, not a dwelling unit, there may not be an issue with the minimum lot size.  Additions may or may not be allowed.

They balance their desire to run your life, with their desire to let you improve your property, so they can tax you more...

Joe

The way the law was written in that town (Brookline)  you couldn't build an addition if it increased the footprint of the house if the lot was below the minimum size.  Not sure about non-livable out buildings though.

[MaineShark]

Yeah, but you can often get a variance, given that they want to tax you more.

Depends upon the town, and their mood when you ask.

I prefer to live someplace I don't have to ask

Joe