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Originally Posted by Bear Islander
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Cabins, sheds, bunk houses etc. only have to conform to the building codes that were in effect when they were built. Grandfathering is the law of the land when it comes to construction and anybody that tells you differently doesn't know what they are taking about.
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BI is right in theory, but it is the property owners responsibility to prove the grandfathering. If your outbuilding is built to 1969 standards but you built it in 1995, you are not grandfathered. So you may have to prove you built it in 1969.
This has been an issue a lot around the state. There has been a long running battle in my town about a gun club that was grandfathered in, but now is closed. The lawyers on both sides are rolling in the cash but the club is closed. On this site we read about the grandfathered boat launching at Ames Farm, they no longer lauch boats.
An angry neighbor with a good lawyer can really test your grandfather status, same thing with an overzealous bureaucrat.
If I had any serious material concerns about the legality of the property, I'd want written assurances from either the property owner or the town. Ask yourself this, if it burns down can you rebuild it? If the ice destroys the dock can you rebuild it?