Many natural builders have to contend with local zoning laws and building codes. In other parts of the country, many structures need to be “approved” before they are built. Building codes favor industry, are very strict, and limit a builder’s freedom and creativity. Apparently, bureaucracy thinks it knows what is good for us, for our health and safety. More often, bureaucracy is disempowering us, the individual, and forcing us to support the industrialized home machine.

I am very spoiled living where I do. I have great pity for natural builders that need to weave their way through red tape. I am a proponent of building “under the radar” if that is what it takes. I am a firm believer that we individuals should have the power and the choice and the freedom to build without limits, without the inspection or oversight of the state or local government.

Building and making homes is a long human tradition, and it should not be stifled by the industry-favoring bureaucracy.

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Natural builders often have a difficult time dealing with local bureaucracy and its restrictive (and short-sighted) building codes. There’s plenty good reason why Wrench didn’t bother to seek out official permission, which is made clear in this article.

Congrats, Wrench!

(Fun fact: Tony Wrench has been very kind enough to answer several of my reciprocal roof questions via email, and I totally appreciate the time he has taken with me. Check out his book, Building a Low-Impact Roundhouse for the only published information on reciprocal roofs!)