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Permit Exemptions 2012 IBC - Ranch Property

Welcome!

I would check with the Planning and/or Building Department for the County in question. I know that in the County I am in, to claim exempt, they have very specific rules regarding what can and can't happen in an "Ag Exempt" building.

Good luck!
 
Page 4 in your link reference the following state regs to determine if your property is an Agricultural Operation.

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/42/12152.htm

42-12152. Criteria for classification of property used for agricultural purposes

A. Property is not eligible for classification as property used for agricultural purposes unless it meets the following criteria:

1. The primary use of the property is as agricultural land and the property has been in active production according to generally accepted agricultural practices for at least three of the last five years. Property that has been in active production may be:

(a) Inactive for a period of not more than twelve months as a result of acts of God.

(b) Inactive as a result of participation in:

(i) A federal farm program that allows voluntary land conserving use acreage or acreage conservation, or both.

(ii) A scheduled crop rotation program.

(c) Inactive or partially inactive due to a temporary reduction in or transfer of the available water supply or irrigation district water allotments for agriculture use in the farm unit.

(d) Grazing land that is inactive or partially inactive due to reduced carrying capacity or generally accepted range management practices.

2. There is a reasonable expectation of operating profit, exclusive of land cost, from the agricultural use of the property.

3. If the property consists of noncontiguous parcels, the noncontiguous parcels must be managed and operated on a unitary basis and each parcel must make a functional contribution to the agricultural use of the property.

B. If feedlot or dairy operations that are in active production are moved to another property at which the operations are in active production, the requirement that the property be in active production for at least three of the last five years does not apply to the property to which the operations are moved for the first three years after the operations are moved.

C. The requirement contained in subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section shall be satisfied if the owner files with the assessor an affidavit of agricultural use, signed by the owner attesting that all information in the affidavit is true and the property is actively producing with an expectation of profit.
 
Looks like if you meet:::::


Agricultural buildings are structures incidental to “Farming, dairy, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, stock or poultry raising” [A.R.S. § 11-865(A)(1)]. This includes structures for the storage of equipment and materials incidental to the operation of agriculture such as tractors, combine harvesters and feed for the exclusive use of dairy or production animals. The definition, however, does not include any exemption for general animal care and housing facilities such as kennels, aviaries and riding stables. This means that buildings of an agricultural character (i.e.: pole barns or silos), are not eligible for agricultural buildings status if their use does not qualify for the exemption. The test for whether a building is an agricultural building depends on the use to which the building is put. The question is not determined by the physical similarity of the use of the building to uses done by farmers in other situations. The test is whether the particular building, or portion of a building, is used as part of, or incidental to, an agricultural function or whether it is used as part of an independent activity. Furthermore, to qualify for exempt status, agricultural buildings need to be located on agricultural real property as defined by A.R.S. §42-
12151. In addition, agricultural real property classification will require that “the primary use of the property is as agricultural land...” along with the other caveats listed in A.R.S. §42-12152.
 
Thank you welcoming me to the forum system.

I have the assessor coming out to the property to review our operations and consider changing our classification to Ag Real Estate because we meet the one of the criteria. But before we go through the hassle of reclassification, I was just wondering if anyone has every seen anywhere in the code that discusses other property type exemptions, similar to how the code states Agriculture. The building department doesn't know. We currently are classified as Ranch and I wonder if the code includes exemptions for Ranch. It would be nice to by pass the permit process for our small lightweight shade structures, hay buildings, etc. I haven't seen it in the code but I may be overlooking it.

Ian
 
Just be careful, while the permitting issue may be a hassle, you may be gaining significant insurance breaks......if you go for the ag exemptions,,, it may lead to higher insurance rates for non-inspected work being performed. Check with you insurance underwriter (not the agent) to verify if the rates would remain the same or could it cause an increase.
 
Some your buildings might be "U's" which might help with code requirements::




SECTION 312 UTILITY AND MISCELLANEOUS GROUP U

312.1 General.
Buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy shall be constructed, equipped and maintained to conform to the requirements of this code commensurate with the fire and life hazard incidental to their occupancy. Group U shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Agricultural buildings
Aircraft hangars, accessory to a one- or two-family residence (see Section 412.5)
Barns
Carports
Fences more than 6 feet (1829 mm) in height
Grain silos, accessory to a residential occupancy
Greenhouses
Livestock shelters
Private garages
Retaining walls
Sheds
Stables
Tanks
Towers
 
Suggest you hire a building code consultant to look over what you want to do and advise you on what direction to go.

Worth the money spent
 
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Suggest you hire a building code consultant to look over what you want to do and advise you on what direction to go
Click to expand...
Aaaaaaahh, but which one Grasshopper ?........If he decides
to go in this direction, I DO know of one I can recommend.

Mr. Geitner, send me a PM if you want a referral.

Thanks !

% = %
 
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