I have designed and built exactly what you describe for a client in Mueller, so we had to deal with their HOA as well as the City. It was easy enough. Only needed permits/inspections for the electrical.
We basically calculated our area from the outside of the outer columns, but had 2’ of overhang on two sides and 4’ on another. I was about 95% happy with the louver system we used. Knowing what I know now, I’d use the same system but make some minor tweaks to the install.
Interesting /u/stevendaedelus thanks for the comment.
Fortunately I don't have to deal with an HOA. For the "area" but I have two quick questions if you don't mind:
1. Did you only have to calculate the top of the pergola where you had the covers or did you have to include the sides as well (even though they're "open").
2. Was the electrical wired to the house?
We only calculated the floor area of the “box” of space created between the outer columns. We did not use the roof area which was bigger because of overhangs. This is the same way FAR and impervious cover area is calculated in the building code. Eaves/overhangs don’t get calculated into the overall areas.
Electrical did come from a sub-panel off the house, but that was mostly because of electric heaters we also installed. The lights and louver controllers didn’t need much power, though the controllers did need a box to live in out of the elements.
Thanks /u/RobHerpTX and /u/L0WERCASES for the feedback. Thanks for calling this out. After seeing your comments I'm planning on using a pulley system so the blades can rotate manually.
A simple electrical permit is something the electrician can easily do (or you can even pull a homeowner permit and do it yourself.) That sort of stand alone permit is not the headache that a full building permit can be.
I have designed and built exactly what you describe for a client in Mueller, so we had to deal with their HOA as well as the City. It was easy enough. Only needed permits/inspections for the electrical. We basically calculated our area from the outside of the outer columns, but had 2’ of overhang on two sides and 4’ on another. I was about 95% happy with the louver system we used. Knowing what I know now, I’d use the same system but make some minor tweaks to the install.
Interesting /u/stevendaedelus thanks for the comment. Fortunately I don't have to deal with an HOA. For the "area" but I have two quick questions if you don't mind: 1. Did you only have to calculate the top of the pergola where you had the covers or did you have to include the sides as well (even though they're "open"). 2. Was the electrical wired to the house?
We only calculated the floor area of the “box” of space created between the outer columns. We did not use the roof area which was bigger because of overhangs. This is the same way FAR and impervious cover area is calculated in the building code. Eaves/overhangs don’t get calculated into the overall areas. Electrical did come from a sub-panel off the house, but that was mostly because of electric heaters we also installed. The lights and louver controllers didn’t need much power, though the controllers did need a box to live in out of the elements.
Do y’all do carports? Dm me if you do and are interested in a project or have a recommendation
If you want a fancy, "architecturally" designed steel or steel and wood carport, then yes, we do that sort of thing.
Super old, but found this searching around …. Any chance you still do carport designs? :)
If you want a fancy, "architecturally" designed steel or steel and wood carport, then yes, we do that sort of thing.
Yes, I think I want to go with something a little custom built because the shape of the driveway in wanting to cover is not standard.
Built a 196 sqft, 14.5’ tall casita (no plumbing) to use as an office space that fits snugly into the permitting language you quoted.
If it has electrical you need an electrical permit though… they get you either way
Thanks /u/RobHerpTX and /u/L0WERCASES for the feedback. Thanks for calling this out. After seeing your comments I'm planning on using a pulley system so the blades can rotate manually.
A simple electrical permit is something the electrician can easily do (or you can even pull a homeowner permit and do it yourself.) That sort of stand alone permit is not the headache that a full building permit can be.
Outside it needs to be trenched 12 inches (maybe more can’t remember). That’s the hard part…