Rest here: Amish homeowners: Religion trumps building codes - Yahoo! News]Amish homeowners: Religion trumps building codes
By TODD RICHMOND, Associated Press Writer Todd Richmond, Associated Press Writer – Sat Dec 13, 1:25 pm ET
AP – Two homes built by Amish farmer Samuel Stoltzfus are seen Nov. 24, 2008, outside Black River Falls, Wis. …
TOWN OF FRANKLIN, Wis. – Daniel Borntreger's home looks like hundreds of other Wisconsin farmhouses: two-story A-frame, porch, clothes on the line.
But his home could cost him thousands of dollars in fines. Borntreger, an Amish farmer, built the house himself according to Amish tradition — but without a building permit.
His case is among at least 18 legal actions brought against Amish residents in Wisconsin and New York in the past year and a half for building without proper permits, according to court records, attorneys and advocates for the Amish.
The cases have sparked local debates about where religion ends and government begins. Amish advocates — the Amish religion precludes them from defending themselves physically or legally — argue the Amish belief that they must live apart from the world trumps local regulations.
"The permit itself might not be so bad, but to change your lifestyle to have to get one, that's against our convictions," Borntreger said as he sat in his kitchen with his wife, Ruth.
But local authorities say the Amish must obey the law.
homeowners: Religion trumps building codes
- Thread starter Said1
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Building permits
I doubt that an Amish traditional house would meet the codes. I know they won't where I live. Codes have nothing to do with how well built the house is, his home will no doubt be standing may years after the ones built to code rot away. They are all about ensuring you use approved products and design. It is up to you to prove that the rough cut lumber off your own property is stronger than the MSR dressed& kiln dried crap in the lumber yard. Generally speaking you are not allowed to move into your house until it is completed and an occupancy permit is issued. No living in a half built house and finishing it as time and money allow. Gotta make sure the mortgage companies get in on the act too.
I doubt that an Amish traditional house would meet the codes. I know they won't where I live. Codes have nothing to do with how well built the house is, his home will no doubt be standing may years after the ones built to code rot away. They are all about ensuring you use approved products and design. It is up to you to prove that the rough cut lumber off your own property is stronger than the MSR dressed& kiln dried crap in the lumber yard. Generally speaking you are not allowed to move into your house until it is completed and an occupancy permit is issued. No living in a half built house and finishing it as time and money allow. Gotta make sure the mortgage companies get in on the act too.
Just ask all the leaky condo owners in Vancouver if having codes makes a diff, or if having permits is a guarantee that the structure has been built to code in the first place.