Relevant Building & Energy Codes

We fully expect that these codes will eventually be updated to fully reflect the vast innovation that is taking place in housing today. New yurt insulation materials and new technologies will push the envelope as we enter a new era in which the carbon footprint of a home is calculated along with its efficiency. Values are changing to reflect the need for conservation of resources, and we see this very clearly with the “small home movement”. We are very proud to be a part of this change (check out our very own eco-yurt). Small homes can be efficient, safe and beautiful. Getting your local building department on board for your project can be challenging, but well worth it in the end. Keep in mind you are probably helping to pave the way for other yurt owners, and other homes that do not fit your typical American Dream home.

2015 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE SECTION 104: DUTIES AND POWERS OF BUILDING OFFICIAL

104.10 Modifications. Wherever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this code, the building official shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, upon application of the owner or owner’s representative, provided the building official shall first find that special individual reason makes the strict letter of this code impractical and the modification is in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code and that such modification does not lessen health, accessibility, life and fire safety, or structural requirements. The details of action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the files of the department of building safety.

104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material, design or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.

SECTION 3102 MEMBRANE STRUCTURES

3102.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to air-supported, air-inflated, membrane-covered cable and membrane-covered frame structures, and tensile membrane structures, collectively known as membrane structures, erected for a period of 180 days or longer. Those erected for a shorter period of time shall comply with the International Fire Code.

3102.7 Engineering design.The structure shall be designed and constructed to sustain dead loads; loads due to tension or inflation; live loads including wind, snow or flood and seismic loads.

2015 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE

R102.1 The provisions of this code shall regulate the design of building envelopes for adequate thermal resistance and low air leakage. It is intended that these provisions provide flexibility to permit the use of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve effective utilization of energy. 103.1 General. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the use of any material, method of construction, design or insulating system not specifically prescribed herein, provided that such construction, design or insulating system has been approved by the code official as meeting the intent of the code. Learn more about international energy codes.

Consider checking with the county you plan to build your yurt to be up to date on county building codes and requirements. 

MAKING A SITE MAP:

Seeing is believing!  Go ahead and draw a map of your site and make a list of things that limit your project, and any assets you know of.  Think of this map as the architecture of your land.  Writing down what your plans are for your project can be super helpful.  For instance, if you are going to live off grid in your yurt, and get water from a standpipe, but plan to later build yourself a log cabin at the same site, you would be planning for a beefed up foundation, and would need to get that water line put through the concrete as it is poured.  (Even if the water line is capped off for later use.)  Other good inclusions can be to list goals, objectives, and ideals!

On a piece of graph paper (so you can draw it to scale), list or draw the following:

1. Existing roads, ditches, power lines, known easements or right aways.

(This could also include neighborhood covenants: like my shed can only be one story, etc.)

2. Natural land features

These can include trees, rivers, streams or other natural landmarks

3.  Neighbor’s homes, outbuildings, junk cars or other fixed feature

4.  Known utilities, and proposed utility routes

5.  Yurt site.

This can also include the perimeter of the construction site, excavations, areas that need graded or filled, planned out-buildings, garden site, barn or animal areas, parking areas.

6.  Sun and wind patterns.

This is more important than you think.  Some people belatedly realize they get 2 hours of sun in the winter due to the surrounding mountains, or that all those trees they cut down on the North side of the property buffered them from winter winds and storms.

7.  Views.

This could be existing or potential.  This would directly influence your landscaping plans, if you need to gain more privacy, or remove a few trees.

Of course, this is just an example, and may not reflect your yurt site at all.  These site planning tools are intended to help you design your own site, with your unique parameters.

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If you’re looking for yurt kits from Shelter Designs and want to know the yurt cost right from the start, you’re in the perfect place! Learn more today.

One of the greatest things about yurts is that they can have a very small footprint, and get put onto sites that you would never consider putting a house. Some of this is due to the platform construction, which can be very simple. Yurts can also blend in well to the surroundings due to the pleasing rounded shape, and by choosing fabric colors that match the environment.

Much of your potential yurt site is determined by what kind of amenities you desire, and what limitations are in place at the site. This post will give you an idea about what to consider and look for when planning your building site and yurt set up.

Yurt Site Selection

This is a subject that will be explored in greater detail in later posts. In general, you are looking for a cleared, mostly flat spot that will allow you to:

• Bring in utilities you need
• Construct your platform and potential deck
• Has an adequate parking area (you’ll be bringing in a lot of materials)
• Conforms to limitations (is there an easement you have to avoid, or close to the standpipe for H20)

***The ideal yurt site has morning sun, and afternoon shade, to maximize natural heating/cooling.

Additional Considerations & Tips For Selecting a Yurt Site:

Utilities: If you are at a site with existing utilities, you will need to have them located first, so you can plan this part of the infrastructure. To save on these big expenses such as well/water lines, electricity drops, propane lines, etc. you will want to keep the yurt site as close to these utilities as possible. This does not apply if you are going off grid, with the exception of water. We know plenty of people who have hauled water from local streams, or a water source down the road. Yes, it can be done, but it gets old. Hauling in water is best used in occasional yurt uses such as vacation or hunting.

Other: Having privacy is always weighed with convenience. Being at the end of your road, 3/4 of a mile in can be great for the nerves, and quiet but in snow country, your private drive becomes an expensive cost with plowing, maintenance, and a possible safety hazard if you have health concerns that require easy emergency service access.

Platform &/or additional decking. Flat sites are easiest. We have seen them canted out over hillsides, and at the top of peaks. The amount of time and labor are weighed against potential views. Keep in mind if you go cutting down timber for views, or fire danger you are changing your micro-climate at your site. Trees cut wind gusts, noise, provide soil protection, privacy and help retain heat. Building your yurt on the top of the mountain gives you amazing views but leaves you exposed to the worst wind and sun.

The details of your actual platform construction will also be affected by your soil type. Rocky soils drain well, but can be very hard to dig, especially if you have boulders. Clay soils will retain moisture, and could affect a perk test. Sandy soils may drain well and dig well but are prone to shifting and can be considered unstable. Consulting a septic, soil, or building professional in your area can save you some time. If you are interested you can do a soil test yourself, to get a sense of what the soil composition is. Most Engineers plan for the worst which would be sandy/shifty soil = 1500 # per sq. foot? If you have different soil, you can get your soil analyzed by a lab.

Other: Your soil can really affect drainage. This could affect your perk test, a buried pressure tank, or whether your planned parking lot is really a swamp waiting to happen. Results from observation or testing my influence whether and how much fill or road material needs to be brought in. One reason it is great to observe the site over time is to see where the water flows. If you can’t do this, researching using the Web Soil Survey, performing a simple soil.

Your site’s frost line can also impact your foundation work. Besides having to have water utilities ran under the frost line (6 feet here in Montana), you may have to pour footer walls deeper than your frost line to avoid frost heaving of your decking.

Lastly, you may want to test your land’s soil to pick the best garden spot! Those humps of dirt covered in grass could be old tree stumps, or a treasure chest of soil from a previous garden. One other way that you can map areas of moisture or low drainage is to look at plants growing in the area. Cedars, ferns, alders, cottonwoods, and birch all thrive in high water table areas. Meanwhile Ponderosa, larch and pines like medium moisture, and junipers and knapweed can all indicate dry conditions.

For more detailed information you can learn how to use web soil survey and discover the soils best for building.