Just found out NW Iowa sucks for building a log home!

[jaysinet]

So I have been dreaming of building a log home for years now and in the past year have read every post I can find on the LHBA method. I have worked construction and currently do custom home work (everything from tiling, framing, kitchens, etc) as a side hobby/job to pay for new tools and toys. Long story short, I spoke to a building inspector in Woodbury County, Iowa today and asked about building a log home within the county. He told me true log homes are not allowed and you HAVE to use dimensional lumber now on ALL builds involving wood as structural members. I asked about the IBC and log homes being included since Woodbury County has adopted the IBC, and he told me NW Iowa has some of the worst termite soil in the midwest and there are two types of homes in most of NW Iowa, those with termites, and those who will be getting them. Ugh, as a result I checked into Plymouth County, IA as well and they are the same, no hand hewn log homes going up there either. So....with that being said, it looks like I will have to forego my plan of building my own log home, or wait until I retire and move away. As of now, I work for the city, and have to live where I do and within 10 miles, which is ALL in Woodbury County and Plymouth County. So looks like an ICF house is about the only other logical choice...I assume many others run into these same problems... just venting...thanks Jay

[rocklock]

Something is wrong with this info. Hawaii has more kinds of termites than just about anywhere. The worst are ground termites. They are easy. Just keep the little mud columns from getting to your wood.

I just don't understand. I thought termites did not like cold. I could be wrong.

[John W]

Sounds to me like the dimensional lumber people and/or square 'log' home builders got the government to pass restrictions to benefit themselves.

[rreidnauer]

I agree. Restrictions like this can almost always be traced back to a company lobbying for profit. It just happened here in Pennslvania, where a law was enacted to mandate fire sprinkler systems be installed in all new construction homes. The law got hastily reversed amongst strong opposition, and the discovery that a large sprinkler system company was the driving force behind the laws creation.

[Plumb Level]

Okay - so let's say there is a massive termite problem......are these people thinking that termites don't eat dimensional lumber, only logs?

I don't get it, something stinks here.

[btwalls]

I don't buy it either.
First I don't buy that you cant legally build a log home. I would like to see the actual law/building code that says you cant do this. In my experience building inspectors will overstate what is their opinion vs what is required or law at times. I have found them to be nice and helpful as well, but I wonder if this is his opinion or true law.

Also I would rather have a log home where I can see all the wood inside and out for any signs of termite issues that a stick frame home where the wood is hidden and termite problems not discovered until massive damage is done.
You may want to take extra precautions, but I would not hesitate to build.

Brad

[loghousenut]

Okay - so let's say there is a massive termite problem......are these people thinking that termites don't eat dimensional lumber, only logs?

I don't get it, something stinks here.

It must be those termites that stink... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-XBF6dEsuA

I suppose it is all in response to those bug smugglers that I keep hearing about.

[jrdavis]

Or you could order them from a "POLE COMPANY" and say they aren't logs.
They are poles. :)

problem solved.
JD

[jaysinet]

To all that have applied, this is on the up and up and legit. He told me within the city limits they are not permissable to build and in the county they will never approve one for a building permit. I even stated, what if I were to build a 4 foot concrete stem wall and stack my logs upon that, thus lifting the logs 4 foot off the ground, still a no go... On top of that, Plymouth County to the north of Woodbury County, will now not allow you to build unless you are building on at least 20 acres now in the county, and you can only divide the property once for building sites. For instance, there is a 30 acre plot for $150k on the outside edge of the Loess Hills (buildable zone) which if you know is beautiful rolling hills. If 6 guys wanted to buy this together and each get 5 acres for homes, its not gonna happen, as the divided land will not be given building permits due to acreage size and that fact its being re-divided. Talk about killing opportunities and dreams here.

[jaysinet]

oops typo "replied" not applied

[rreidnauer]

Land of the free . . . .

[jrdavis]

jaysinet ---
Here's somee info that MIGHT help.
There are GOV'T links with those building log homes.
Maybe fighting the local gov't with the feds would be a way to prevail.

http://www.logbuilding.org/downloads.html

Look for the:
Maintenance and Preservation of Log Homes section
and
The Wood Handbook
it was Written by the USDA, Forest Products Laboratory website (http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/)

Good luck....
There is alway Mills county with only 2 permits (well and septic) and a '911 address' requirement.
JD

[John17three]

On top of that, Plymouth County to the north of Woodbury County, will now not allow you to build unless you are building on at least 20 acres now in the county, and you can only divide the property once for building sites. For instance, there is a 30 acre plot for $150k on the outside edge of the Loess Hills (buildable zone) which if you know is beautiful rolling hills. If 6 guys wanted to buy this together and each get 5 acres for homes, its not gonna happen, as the divided land will not be given building permits due to acreage size and that fact its being re-divided. Talk about killing opportunities and dreams here.

As bad as that stumps your plans, it probably to slow urbanization in your area. Maybe. I watched a documentary about something like this. They don't want people chopping up the farm land....as if we don't have enough or anything.

I'm sure there's more at stack than just land. Probably some benjamins involved somewhere.

[edkemper]

As much as we hear that "they" don't want urbanization, look at the local politicians. They need to bring money into their economy. That income comes mostly from property taxes. Meaning you either control growth and make the few pay more or you sell more property to increase income. Citizens don't generally want urbanization. Those elected want more money to spend so they tend to look for more income.

Then there's a question of whether the local government has actually applied and enforce the mandated codes on themselves. Often, application is spotty. Perhaps some investigation and negotiations will be necessary. Meaning, don't build your own illegal facility and then think you're going to force me to do differently.

[Gomer]

It reeks of special interests but most things do wherever you are and the way they applied.
There are spots in WI and where they'll fight you tooth and rebar to get a log build permit....and then make it so golldamkit impossible after to get it done people have walked away. We did once
It's way more common than one ever thought so guess the first thing always should be walk through the bullcheet on local level before buying land.
I got a nice piece up north in MN that remains ruled with iron fist by local blokes that evidently forgot that there are more log homes there than stick builts. I threw in the towel for now and parked a 28' travel trailer/camper on it. 798' of beautiful frontage on North Star- 7.6acres. And I cannot get them off my back on issued related to road access and structure size. Screw 'em....I'll still enjoy it and they'll not get a dime extra in taxes for improvements. lol
In Michigan they really really nice to us on our build there. It's crazy....money and special interests dictate--period.:mad:

[loghousenut]

OK, let's keep it in perspective. As much as we dislike that goofyask government intrusion, this site is all about building your own log home with your own hands and it works over and over again. True, it may be a tougher fight than it used to be with the City, County, and State. But it's still a happening thing and it starts right here.

Before we get all "I sure miss the old days when it was easy", let me say that I can't have the old days anymore. I can only have today and as many tomorrows as I can get. Right now I can cut my logs, haul them on a public road, tear up my dirt, pour a foundation, and build my home. I hope my Grandkids will be able to do the same, but mostly I hope my Grandkids appreciate every day as much as I have without too much looking back and wishing it were different. We can play the hand we've got and do this LHBA thing right now. We may have to pick and choose a bit to figure out where it'll happen but it can sure happen.

This site is all about successes. There must be 50 or 100 student builds going on as we speak. Each one of them found a great place to build and have found a way to make it work. King County might be tough, and yet it's being done right now. Parts of California are impossible... That's what statelines are all about. I agree that a person shouldn't have to pull up stakes and move simply to have the freedom to live the way he/she wants, but that's been the name of the game for just about forever. You think it's as bad as it can get? I have one word for you... "potato famine". Now that was tough times.




PS... Gomer. Go to class. We're gonna have so much fun playing together on the members side!

[StressMan79]

I live in nw ia. O'Brien county. Never seen a termite. Id ask for some documentation.

[jaysinet]

I live in nw ia. O'Brien county. Never seen a termite. Id ask for some documentation.

Stressman, I have looked at your build documentation and it looks great. How was OBrien County for you to deal with? Maybe I could pull off a monkey see, monkey do plan and show them OBrien County has already approved this type of build.

Jay

[StressMan79]

Ha. Build is in Washington state. Sorry. Grew up in sanborn. Now in dm, moving to Sioux center next year...

[logguy]

Move to Missouri. N-O building codes or restrictions of any kind where I am!

[John17three]

Move to Missouri. N-O building codes or restrictions of any kind where I am!

Second that. None here in Laclede Co.