Temporary structures

[bigdog]

Jerry

Does the building code address "temporary structures" such as tents and structures erected to park a car or RV under or would it be more of a local ordinance type of thingy.

I've looked through the definitions and couldn't find anything referencing "temporary structures"

David

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Does the building code address "temporary structures" such as tents and structures erected to park a car or RV under or would it be more of a local ordinance type of thingy.

David,

Yes, no, and maybe.

First, the 'yes': (the longest part of the answer)
- From the 2014 Florida Building Code - Administrative, Chapter 1: (underlining is mine) (italic comments are mine)
- - SECTION 102 APPLICABILITY
- - - [A] 102.1 General.
- - - - Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.
- - - - 102.1.1
- - - - - The Florida Building Code does not apply to, and no code enforcement action shall be brought with respect to, zoning requirements, land use requirements and owner specifications or programmatic requirements which do not pertain to and govern the design, construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair or demolition of public or private buildings, structures or facilities or to programmatic requirements that do not pertain to enforcement of the Florida Building Code. Additionally, a local code enforcement agency may not administer or enforce the Florida Building Code, Building to prevent the siting of any publicly owned facility, including, but not limited to, correctional facilities, juvenile justice facilities, or state universities, community colleges, or public education facilities, as provided by law.
- - - - - - [Jerry's comment: "temporary" is not listed as a "does not apply to" category.]
- - - [A] 102.2 Building.
- - - - The provisions of the Florida Building Code shall apply to the construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every public and private building, structure or facility or floating residential structure, or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings, structures or facilities. Additions, alterations, repairs and changes of use or occupancy group in all buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions provided in Chapter 34 of this code. The following buildings, structures and facilities are exempt from the Florida Building Code as provided by law, and any further exemptions shall be as determined by the legislature and provided by law:
- - - - - - [Jerry's comment: "temporary" is not exempted out of "shall apply to" and "every public and private ... blah, blah, blah"; "temporary" is not in the list below either.]
- - - - - (a) Building and structures specifically regulated and preempted by the federal government.
- - - - - (b) Railroads and ancillary facilities associated with the railroad.
- - - - - (c) Nonresidential farm buildings on farms.
- - - - - (d) Temporary buildings or sheds used exclusively for construction purposes.
- - - - - (e) Mobile or modular structures used as temporary offices, except that the provisions of Part II (Sections 553.501–553.513, Florida Statutes) relating to accessibility by persons with disabilities shall apply to such mobile or modular structures.
- - - - - (f) Those structures or facilities of electric utilities, as defined in Section 366.02, Florida Statutes, which are directly involved in the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.
- - - - - (g) Temporary sets, assemblies, or structures used in commercial motion picture or television production, or any sound-recording equipment used in such production, on or off the premises.
- - - - - (h) Chickees constructed by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida or the Seminole Tribe of Florida. As used in this paragraph, the term “chickee” means an open-sided wooden hut that has a thatched roof of palm or palmetto or other traditional materials, and that does not incorporate any electrical, plumbing, or other nonwood features.
- - - - - (i) Family mausoleums not exceeding 250 square feet (23 m2) in area which are prefabricated and assembled on site or preassembled and delivered on site and have walls, roofs, and a floor constructed of granite, marble, or reinforced concrete.
- - - - - (j) Temporary housing provided by the Department of Corrections to any prisoner in the state correctional system.
- - - - - (k) A building or structure having less than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) which is constructed and owned by a natural person for hunting and which is repaired or reconstructed to the same dimension and condition as existed on January 1, 2011, if the building or structure:
- - - - - - 1. Is not rented or leased or used as a principal residence;
- - - - - - 2. Is not located within the 100-year floodplain according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s current Flood Insurance Rate Map; and
- - - - - - 3. Is not connected to an off-site electric power or water supply.

The 'maybe' part of the answer:
- SECTION 108 TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND USES
- - [A] 108.1 General.
- - - The building official is authorized to issue a permit for temporary structures and temporary uses. Such permits shall be limited as to time of service, but shall not be permitted for more than 180 days. The building official is authorized to grant extensions for demonstrated cause.
- - - - - - [Jerry's comment: "is authorized to" does not mean 'is required to'.]
- - - [A] 108.2 Conformance.
- - - - Temporary structures and uses shall conform to the structural strength, fire safety, means of egress, accessibility, light, ventilation and sanitary requirements of this code as necessary to ensure public health, safety and general welfare.
- - - [A] 108.3 Temporary power.
- - - - The building official is authorized to give permission to temporarily supply and use power in part of an electric installation before such installation has been fully completed and the final certificate of completion has been issued. The part covered by the temporary certificate shall comply with the requirements specified for temporary lighting, heat or power in NFPA 70.
- - - [A] 108.4 Termination of approval.
- - - - The building official is authorized to terminate such permit for a temporary structure or use and to order the temporary structure or use to be discontinued.

Now the 'no' part of the answer ... okay, this is 'sort of' a 'maybe' too:
- Many AHJ exempt out small structures such as storage sheds and the like, usually with a size restrictions, and sometimes use restrictions.
- Here is some examples from my city: playhouses (for children) are supposed to be permitted; playground equipment (which may include playhouses) are not required to be permitted; tree houses (solely supported by a tree or trees) are not required to be permitted; storage sheds are iffy, depending on size; a playhouse I built for our granddaughter was permitted to be under 150 square feet, but required engineering, unless it was under 120 square feet, then no engineering was required; etc.
- These local lists may be simple or quite complex - you will only know by checking with the AHJ for the area.