Bunkhouse in Alton (on Rattlesnake)?

IslandRadio · 08-11-2011, 09:41 AM

I'm trying to find out about bunkhouses in Alton (on Rattlesnake), with respect to zoning or other bylaws. I have read the zoning bylaws, and couldn't find anything about bunkhouses.

We have a "real" (and fairly new) septic system. Does anyone know how the addition of a bunkhouse relates (if at all) to the septic system? Adding a full-fledged bedroom would, of course, be directly related to the number of bedrooms the septic system was designed for, etc. etc. This is a bunkhouse, for occasional use by guests when they are with us.

If anyone has any experience in this area or knows the particular section of the codes/bylaws which govern bunkhouses, I would very much like to know about it!

Thanks so much and Regards,

Steve

Slickcraft · 08-11-2011, 10:44 AM

As you will eventually need a building permit and as the Alton Building Inspector is the person who will interpret the zoning regulations and codes, you should make an appointment with him to go over your general plan.
http://alton.nh.gov/CodeEnforcement.asp

Bring info on the existing cottage and septic system and simply have a preliminary discussion about what you want to do. While we can all speculate, that is the only way to get a real answer.

IslandRadio · 08-11-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

As you will eventually need a building permit and as the Alton Building Inspector is the person who will interpret the zoning regulations and codes, you should make an appointment with him to go over your general plan.
http://alton.nh.gov/CodeEnforcement.asp

Bring info on the existing cottage and septic system and simply have a preliminary discussion about what you want to do. While we can all speculate, that is the only way to get a real answer.

Of course, all of this is absolutely correct! I was just trying to get a sense of what the code really says about this - and have some understanding about it - before I draw up any plans, and go and talk with the building inspector.

I'm sure it's written down somewhere, but I haven't been able to find it.

codeman671 · 08-11-2011, 01:43 PM

Put up a "shed".

If your current system supports only the amount of bedrooms you already have you may have an issue. Turn one of them into an "office". The alternative beyond that is expanding your system.

I heard a while ago that Gilford was shying away from allowing bunk houses. I am not sure if that ever came to fruition or not, or if other towns are following suit.

My neighbor built her house a 2 bedroom with 1 office so that she could have a 1 bedroom bunk house at some point.

Kamper · 08-12-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codeman671

Put up a "shed".

...

That might work as long as no one complains. Wide shelves and air-mattresses should be fine to park the kids and keep the structures configuraton as, obviously, a shed.

Good luck!

RLW · 08-12-2011, 04:25 PM

I'm thinking that you are walking on thin ice and should check into it before going for the shed idea and using it for a bunkhouse. Most and I re-state MOST towns have a copy of there building codes available to the public. There may be a slight charge for it but it would be well worth you to check and see if your town has them available.

Belmont Resident · 08-13-2011, 07:35 AM

Why not just eliminate any possibility of getting bad info and just call or got to the town in the first place with any questions before you make any decisions?
Seems like the best place to get your question answered verses this forum where it could be a he said she said answer.
FYI from what I understand (from a Gilford town employee/friend) the towns are stepping up there inspections on island homes so be careful what you do.
Good luck.

IslandRadio · 08-13-2011, 05:27 PM

It's not so much for now, but in 10 years or so we'll have grandchildren who will be big enough that they will probably want more space than we have.

For now, I desperately need a workshop and a good storage area, and a "hobby room" - probably on the 2nd floor of the workshop. Then I can move my "radio stuff" out of the main house and into the shop building.

A washer/dryer would be icing on the cake, if I can put them in the new building.

The bunkhouse thing is mostly for future planning. If I can do it - great. If not, no big deal because we do have sufficient space in the cottage - particularly if I'm not using up one room with my "stuff"

Island Girl · 08-13-2011, 08:55 PM

My neighbor built a large storage building and is also permitted to build an office. I bet you can design a building that is your workshop that could double as a bunkhouse. I am not sure about a second floor. Homes on Rattlesnake are supposed to be no more than 1.5 stories. You could design something that fits that criteria.

IG

IslandRadio · 08-13-2011, 10:09 PM

Thanks! I should have mentioned that this will be a gambrel roofed building.

16 x 20 is the proposed size - and I won't have to cut any trees down!!!!

Belmont Resident · 08-14-2011, 08:06 AM

Good luck with it. You might want to have a word with the town and see what the future might hold. With changes being made all the time sooner might be better than later for a building of this size.
I do find it a little odd. You can have people come out to your place and camp out all over the place with no problems, but to have a bunk house is somehow different. Not like it will be used all the time.

RLW · 08-14-2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IslandRadio

It's not so much for now, but in 10 years or so we'll have grandchildren who will be big enough that they will probably want more space than we have.

For now, I desperately need a workshop and a good storage area, and a "hobby room" - probably on the 2nd floor of the workshop. Then I can move my "radio stuff" out of the main house and into the shop building.

A washer/dryer would be icing on the cake, if I can put them in the new building.

The bunkhouse thing is mostly for future planning. If I can do it - great. If not, no big deal because we do have sufficient space in the cottage - particularly if I'm not using up one room with my "stuff"

Great, but what you are describing is not a shed, it is a structure and will defiantly need a permit and will be questioned when they come around for the revaluations every 5 years and sometimes more often.

IslandRadio · 08-14-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLW

Great, but what you are describing is not a shed, it is a structure and will defiantly need a permit and will be questioned when they come around for the revaluations every 5 years and sometimes more often.

Oh yes, I would absolutely pull a permit. I want to keep everything legal, for sure! I met with the building inspector last year about an addition. He seemed very reasonable and also very knowledgeable and helpful.

This also requires a permit from the State, because it's within 250 feet of the water.

Rattlesnake Guy · 08-14-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

My neighbor built a large storage building and is also permitted to build an office. I bet you can design a building that is your workshop that could double as a bunkhouse. I am not sure about a second floor. Homes on Rattlesnake are supposed to be no more than 1.5 stories. You could design something that fits that criteria.

IG

IG,
We always wondered about the 1.5 rule as we kept seeing it violated. When we checked into the rule in our island covenants, we found out that the original intent was to limit the building heights as the original plan was to develop the back lots. The 1.5 limit was to protect the views of those inside lots. What we were told is that since that scheme has been long abandoned, the 1.5 story rule has not been enforced on new construction.

08-11-2011, 09:41 AM	#1
IslandRadio Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mirror Lake - Full time resident Posts: 398 Thanks: 70 Thanked 156 Times in 61 Posts	Bunkhouse in Alton (on Rattlesnake)? I'm trying to find out about bunkhouses in Alton (on Rattlesnake), with respect to zoning or other bylaws. I have read the zoning bylaws, and couldn't find anything about bunkhouses. We have a "real" (and fairly new) septic system. Does anyone know how the addition of a bunkhouse relates (if at all) to the septic system? Adding a full-fledged bedroom would, of course, be directly related to the number of bedrooms the septic system was designed for, etc. etc. This is a bunkhouse, for occasional use by guests when they are with us. If anyone has any experience in this area or knows the particular section of the codes/bylaws which govern bunkhouses, I would very much like to know about it! Thanks so much and Regards, Steve

08-12-2011, 04:25 PM	#6
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	I'm thinking that you are walking on thin ice and should check into it before going for the shed idea and using it for a bunkhouse. Most and I re-state MOST towns have a copy of there building codes available to the public. There may be a slight charge for it but it would be well worth you to check and see if your town has them available. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits. Last edited by RLW; 08-12-2011 at 04:26 PM. Reason: added a letter S

08-13-2011, 07:35 AM	#7
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	Island radio Why not just eliminate any possibility of getting bad info and just call or got to the town in the first place with any questions before you make any decisions? Seems like the best place to get your question answered verses this forum where it could be a he said she said answer. FYI from what I understand (from a Gilford town employee/friend) the towns are stepping up there inspections on island homes so be careful what you do. Good luck.

08-13-2011, 08:55 PM	#9
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	Probably you cn My neighbor built a large storage building and is also permitted to build an office. I bet you can design a building that is your workshop that could double as a bunkhouse. I am not sure about a second floor. Homes on Rattlesnake are supposed to be no more than 1.5 stories. You could design something that fits that criteria. IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

08-14-2011, 08:06 AM	#11
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	wow that is big Good luck with it. You might want to have a word with the town and see what the future might hold. With changes being made all the time sooner might be better than later for a building of this size. I do find it a little odd. You can have people come out to your place and camp out all over the place with no problems, but to have a bunk house is somehow different. Not like it will be used all the time.

08-11-2011, 10:44 AM	#2
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,289 Thanks: 1,220 Thanked 2,062 Times in 947 Posts	As you will eventually need a building permit and as the Alton Building Inspector is the person who will interpret the zoning regulations and codes, you should make an appointment with him to go over your general plan. http://alton.nh.gov/CodeEnforcement.asp Bring info on the existing cottage and septic system and simply have a preliminary discussion about what you want to do. While we can all speculate, that is the only way to get a real answer.

08-11-2011, 01:43 PM	#4
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,477 Thanks: 221 Thanked 809 Times in 485 Posts	Put up a "shed". If your current system supports only the amount of bedrooms you already have you may have an issue. Turn one of them into an "office". The alternative beyond that is expanding your system. I heard a while ago that Gilford was shying away from allowing bunk houses. I am not sure if that ever came to fruition or not, or if other towns are following suit. My neighbor built her house a 2 bedroom with 1 office so that she could have a 1 bedroom bunk house at some point.

08-13-2011, 05:27 PM	#8
IslandRadio Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mirror Lake - Full time resident Posts: 398 Thanks: 70 Thanked 156 Times in 61 Posts	It's not so much for now, but in 10 years or so we'll have grandchildren who will be big enough that they will probably want more space than we have. For now, I desperately need a workshop and a good storage area, and a "hobby room" - probably on the 2nd floor of the workshop. Then I can move my "radio stuff" out of the main house and into the shop building. A washer/dryer would be icing on the cake, if I can put them in the new building. The bunkhouse thing is mostly for future planning. If I can do it - great. If not, no big deal because we do have sufficient space in the cottage - particularly if I'm not using up one room with my "stuff"

08-13-2011, 10:09 PM	#10
IslandRadio Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mirror Lake - Full time resident Posts: 398 Thanks: 70 Thanked 156 Times in 61 Posts	Thanks! I should have mentioned that this will be a gambrel roofed building. 16 x 20 is the proposed size - and I won't have to cut any trees down!!!!

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