[Rock8Reno]

Tore down a 7x12 shed which had carpenter ant damage, installed a R/R tie retaining wall foundation for drainage and to level out the ground.

Previous shed was 2ft from property lines, I went ahead and made rear clearance 4'6", side 4', the new shed size is 10x16, the foundation is 11x17.

I had no idea I would need a permit until a friend of mind mentioned it.

After framing out the shed, I stopped and proceeded to get a permit and do it right. I figured the height would be an issue, 11'6" at the roofs peak. But I didn't even get passed the zoning officer.

They're trying to tell me distance from rear needs to be 5', and left side, 10'. I obviously can't move the foundation, there are other trees/shrubs in the way as well as a pre existing r/r retaining wall.

So what would you do in this situation? Off the record the woman at the building dept told me, as long as my neighbors don;t e ver file a complaint about the shed, they'll never com looking for me/the shed

I plan on keeping everything as it is, but lowering the peak height to 10', a full 1 1/2' lower. I think it would significantly make the structure seem less noticeable.

Just not sure how to go about cutting my 7'6" header height down to 6'6 without disassembling the whole thing. Or if it's even possible. I'm having a contractor come look at it tonight to get his take on it.

 

[Rock8Reno]

View from my deck

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[Rock8Reno]

Looks like you're almost done with it. Have neighbors complained? Have inspector's showed up?

Only 3 neighbors who can actually see it are directly behind it and to the left side. The neighbor on the left is an older gentleman and is very friendly with me, he's ok. I got the blessing of my neighbor directly behind me, the one to the rear left diagonally I have yet to talk to. No, inspector has not shown up, doubt he will either, you can barely see it from the front of the house. here are some pics of the views from the front, side and rear of the house on the next street over.

 

[Rock8Reno]

So, I figure if I lower it by a foot I should be ion good shape.

 

[Rock8Reno]

I appreciate all the info, insight and recommendations. Like was said, I could say I just repaired carpenter ant damage and the shed existed already when I loved in 10 years ago. They have NO RECORD of the previous shed because the previous shed I knocked down was less than 2 feet from rear and side property lines. I could barely fit between the fence and the shed, so I know for sure it wasn't legal.

I could deal with a one time fee, if that's what it amounts to. If mine is not legal due to zoning, then so are the other 6-8 sheds in my neighborhood I counted last night.

 

[Rock8Reno]

I appreciate that, the yard hasn't been touched much, some overgrown bushes/tress were pulled out, it used to look a lot nicer.

Once the shed is complete, I'm having new vinyl shakes/siding done, as well as new soffits, gutter and fascia, stone veneer on the lower half, new front entrance door and surround..etc, then I'll concentrate on fixings up some of the rougher looking things in the yard front and back.

I guess it helps when your family owns a landscape supply company.

 

[Rock8Reno]

What the grounds at my house look like when I keep up with it better than I have this summer.

 

[Rock8Reno]

At that point I would have to apply for a variance and hope it goes through, which I'm pretty confident it would. Just don't have 2 months to wait to apply for one right now, and don't feel like spending $1,000+ if I don't have to.