sugar house building permit

[The Sappy Steamer]

I was recently told by an equipment dealer that a building permit is not required when building or modifying a sugar house because making maple syrup is considered to be "agricultural" It sounded like he had a bit of trouble convincing his local people, but the higher-ups at the state level said it was so. Do any of you guys have any insight on that as it pertains here in N.Y.? I was just wondering how big the battle would be and is it even worth the effort( Uh oh,I must be gettin old!)If it is sort of "common knowledge" it may be a road worth going down, but if it's one of those "What I think they meant" deals it may be best to just drop it. We've talked to the permit people a couple times now on different ideas we had and didn't want to get them rolling their eyes before we even got started. You guys have plenty of reasons for rolling your eyes, but we never even sense it. Thanks

[Fred Henderson]

It would be just great if you were to finish filling in your profile so that everyone knows where you are from. the best place to ask that ? is with the dept of Ag & Markets( Albany) In a recent (I think) maple news there was an article that said that if anyone build a new SH they could get a 10 year tax break on it.

[super sappy]

You should not need to obtain a building permit for a sugar house under an AG umbrella in NYS. If you are in a town with close neighbors the local laws may require a certain setback from property lines etc. Your local building inspector should be able to answer any questions that you may have, thats what they get paid for.( Talk to the local guy first) Be sure to let them know that the buildings only use will be Ag ( Do not mention any retail that you may or may not be doing at the sugarhouse) I deal with building inspectors from different townships (Urban and Rural) all the time. They all like maple syrup, They are alwayse right. They will be your best friend for a little free syrup.What fred said about taxes is true.(Thanks Sen Joe Bruno) :D Super sappy

[maplehound]

Even here in Ohio, If it is Ag. related you don't need a building permit. As long as your property is zoned Ag. Although you should get a zoneing permit.

[digman_41]

I was told that was the law here in Michigan.....after I had my building framed in I received a visit from our local building Inspector and was told making maple syrup was not an agricultural venture? I tried to fight the Twp. with no avail. Rather than get an attourney and go to court I just paid the permit fee. Then got my new tax assesment, now the new property tax assesment on the building cost more than the syrup I produce in the building is worth! Only in America! Mark

[maple flats]

I sure wish I had known that before i started mine IN NYS. I got a permit and had no problems but would have rather not let them even know what I was building. I WAS however forced to get a special approval (do not remember the details) because I was building the sugarhouse on a property with no primary structure (no house etc). This special approval delayed me for 3 months back in the late summer of 03. I applied in mid Aug (turns out it was the day after a cut off date to get such matters on the agenda for the meeting to discuss such things). Then in Sept it was on the agenda, but they require that it be discussed one month and voted on the next. Then when Oct came around they did not have a quarem to vote and in Nov it finally came up to vote. The chairman of this comittee then said they had no say because it was agri. and they rubber stamped it. Then I called the excavator man who did the digging in 3 or 4 days. I wondered why this chairman hadn't said they had no vote when it was put before the committee and I could have began in Sept instead of Nov, or even why the codes officer had told me i needed to go before this committee, everything was stacked against me. I just get irritated with these permit guys throwing their weight around when they have no authority to do so.

[Russell Lampron]

I had a property assesor who was working for the town come snooping around on my property a couple years ago when I had some logging done. Most of my property is in "Current use" which means that the part that is in current use is taxed at a lower rate because it is only used as wood or pasture land. He saw all of the logging equipment and thought it was mine and a violation of the current use laws.

That happened in January and in late November , just before Christmas, I got a bill for $2,500 for a current use penalty and that they had taken a 2 acre field out of current use because of the so called violations. The thing that the assesor didn't know was that !/2 of the field belongs to my daughter and is already out of current use and all of the logging equipment was gone. After going to the state to get a copy of the current use laws I found that I wasn't in violation anyway. I stated the facts of the matter to the town and to the assesor and the penalty was dropped.

If the assesor had talked to me first we could have cleared the matter up without him going to the town and them sending me a bill for his mistake.

Russ

[The Sappy Steamer]

Well, it sounds like there's a shot anyway. It does sound a little fuzzy though. I guess it all depends on the person your dealing with, and the only way to find out is to ask them. At least there's some merit to the ag umbrella aspect.

[super sappy]

We have a new town assesor here. He jacked my taxes this year for the sugar house. A phone call took care of that. I did think that it was interesting that he has an addition going on at his house and he has no building permit posted. This guy drove all over town this past year breaking balls then pulls that. * small town politics,I ll enjoy them wile they last.6 new building lots on my road this month.-Super sappy

[Pete33Vt]

I am not sure on the ins and out of build a sugarhouse in our town, but I do now there is alot of trouble coming from (city slickers). Th move to town to get away from the city life they had lived and want to change everything. They need the biggest motion light in there yard. They want all the roads paved so they can drive there $60,000.00 BMW 100 mph on the back roads. They want all the farmers to stop hauling sh--. They complain when sugarmakers hual sap on muddy roads.
And the list goes on. I do know there are a few of us that are watching our local planning comission and zoning board to make sure it doesn't get fillled with all city folks. I hope we can do it. Cause if they get the majority it will be really hard for anyone to do anything.
Good luck with your permit.
Pete

[Pete S]

I usually don't just volunteer this,.....................but I'm a Full Time- Contracted Building Inspector, and carry an Assessor I license here in the great State of WI.

Within our business, we also issue permits. The "best" advice is to contact your local municipality to see if your construction project would trigger a permit. Most of our municipalities have a dollar amount that will trigger the requirement for a permit.

ALTHOUGH, with the construction of a new "accessory" type structure, as in it wasn't there before, you may be required to obtain a permit regardless of the cost of materials.

Typically (here) there wouldn't be any real construction standards for the construction of a Sugar Shack. In rural settings proximity to your septic system and well should be a concern.

For accessory structures, especially ag/rural/farm related, the Building Permit simply notifies the Assessor's Office about the "improvement" to the Real Property. Wherein as then it's up to the Assessor's Office to determine the increase of value thus "potentially" increasing the amount of taxes you'd pay, tax levy dependant.

Sorry for the wordy response :roll: , but thought I'd contribute, and possibly save someone a fine.

Oh, changing the land's use may cause a penality due to the "tax break" on land use............thus being changed.

Pete

[royalmaple]

I for one hate to see anyone dropping in to see what I am up to. Or trying to explain what I want to do to anyone. THey are not paying for it so basically feel like screw off.

But I did pull a permit for my sugar house this year, something like 30ish bucks. It wasn't the price, just the idea that bugs me. I don't think it will add too much to my taxes, or shouldn't but never know.

I guess that normally I'd just build something and they can eat rocks for all I care, but with this building I guess they could drive by and see it and rather than get into a pissing match, I just pulled the permit.

I try to stay on their good side and when I pulled my permit to build my barn, I told them I wanted a permit for a 40x60 barn. First response I got was" Why you want that, gee that is a big building". They caught me on the wrong day and before I told them what they could do with the quesiton. I replied, because I want it, I can afford it. Blah blah.

Then he was like gee, that is an aweful big building, so I said to him. Ok you got me, I am building it for an underground casino and brothel. 8O You should seen the look on his face, and that was the end of the conversation. I think he got the hint.
:twisted:

[Pete S]

Although I am "in the business".............I don't cover the Township where I live.

5 Years ago, it took me about 8 months to get a Building Permit to constuct a house on the land we owned.............113 acres!!! :evil:

The Town Board here, as well in other areas throughout the country, can be a bit "funny" (that's all I'll say).

It shouldn't matter if you could have afforded a 100' x 300' barn. If you're zoned for it, and the local ordinances allow it..............what's the need for any "jibber jabber"............gimme the flippin' permit!!

I feel very stongly about folks rights to construct/improve what belongs to them...............espceially if it's within the "law".

In the country, I think sugar shacks, and barns, etc. are part of the "Bundle of Rights" that accompany rural living.

Besides that's what we're out here for.

( I could write for hours about "mega farm buildings", etc............nuff said)

Pete

[The Sappy Steamer]

I was told that if I built my shack like a pole barn it would increase my taxes between $9.00 - $12.00 sq ft x our tax rate per thousand. If I made it like a shed it would be 5.00 sq. ft. I am converting a six year old 20x20 picnic pavilion into the shack,so it's basically a pole barn. The $139.00 per year increase won't kill me, but, I know it won't end there. Last year, two places I own doubled the taxes without me building or improving a thing. One gave me a lame excuse: " Well, it's a premium site". The other's excuse was " Well, you could still sell it for that". I can't really argue with either one except: What did the town do that helped increase the value of my place or "What did I do" for that matter? Will I be receiving any additional services from the town? Nope. To be honest, I would say screw em', but I have a woman that works at the assessor's office one house to the east, the town attorney two doors to the west, and the county D.A. owns all the land behind me. I've met them all and they are all nice folks,but I don't live there so I think I'm still an outsider and sure don't want to find things out the hard way. Sorry about the long post as well. (Don't get me started on the city slickers)

[brookledge]

Boy it sounds like there are differences from one state to another.For me when I rebuilt my sugarhouse I needed a permit. When I went to the building inspector he was more interested in making sure that the way I wanted to build it was going to be safe. He basicly just was concerned with the roof, size of the rafters ,type of wood and distdance on center etc. Myself for one I like to cut corners once and a while but I was perfectly fine with him reviewing my plans and oking them before I started.
The way I look at it if you are going to have people visiting and the building is build real shabby someone could get hurt or killed. All it takes is to have your roof cave in in the winter witha snow load on it while people are in it then the lawsuits begin.
I just think that the permit should be to make sure it is structurely ok and not the politics as to whether you can build or not.
Keith

[royalmaple]

Keith-

Aside from the taxes and all that nosey stuff.

I agree totally, there are too many people that can much less build a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, never mind any sort of structure.

So in this case having the building inspector be the final say on what you are building or really how you are building it is ok and making sure it is up to code and above all safe, then sure. That is a great idea.

Plus many code enforcement people may be able to give some novice builders some pointers to make things come out better than they could have planned.

In this capacity I think it is part of a well planned project.

[Pete S]

'round here there aren't any "real" building standards in the rural areas which would dictate how one is to construct a "DETACHED" accessory structure.

I'm dreamin'/plannin' of some day (soon) to start on a sugar shack for us. We'll need a permit, and approval from County Planning.

Structural issues should be very critical when planning and or constructing. Utilizing proven or Code related building practices is necessary so, as mentioned earlier,.............it dosen't come a tumblin' down with the first wind or snow.

Other things as well to consider and or address:

1.) Clearance to combustibles from your evaporator, irregardless of wood/oil/gas fired

2.) Some of these shacks may want to consider enough infiltration air or a supply of combustion air. (I've seen pictures showing plastic'ed walls)

3.) Proper electrical wiring practices

Pete

[The Sappy Steamer]

I wouldn't think I'd have much trouble getting by the inspector. He checked out the building when I finished it six years ago and he liked everything then. The building already has a capola on it, but that would need to be modified. I'll be enclosing the walls and adding a couple doors and windows. The hardest part is already finished.

[Fred Henderson]

If I were to build another SH the first thing to go in would be that base for the arch. I would put a frost wall in and pour concrete on that. Then I would put an expansion joint around it and pour a floating slab. I never thought that when I built my present one that I would be where I am now. Its either build totally new or mudle along the way I am. Have to check for level every 2or 3 days. :D

[The Sappy Steamer]

Thanks for the sound advice Fred. I'm only about a foot off of bedrock so I'll have to do things a little differently. I have a pond about fifty feet away from the pavilion and have dug down four feet in several other areas on my place. Boy, did I get a suprise back when I started digging my posts. I ended up renting a compressor and jackhammer to "dig" my holes. I should be able to get a pretty sound base slab for my arch as long as I get in contact with the bedrock. I think that's gonna have to be the extent of my frost wall. :)

[brookledge]

Fred
That is why I have recommended to some that they use sonotubes and go down below the frost line for supports for the arch. Sure beats having to worry about being level all the time.
Keith

[maple flats]

After using my sugarhouse for 3 seasons I have removed a temporary wood floor and am going concrete. From fall of 04 on I had my evap. footers down over 4 ft and laid concrete blocks up but then I ran short of time and decided to put wood in for a few years. The joists rested on the concrete blocks for the evap but the rest was tied to the perimeter with joist ties/hangers. The evap never needed re-leveling (03 was very different, I had a partial platform supported over a pit with less than ideal support and did re-level daily as needed) but I did not dare use my blower because of the wood floor and the sparks blown out of the firebox the 1 time I tried the blower. Being the procrastinator i am and doing everything in the construction alone I am again crowding the concrete deadline because I do not want to use caicium in my mix to protect against freezing (caicium eats rebar). I therefor may end up with part concrete and part wood for the 07 season but would then resume concrete work after the season to be fully ready for 08. (of course It has nothing to do with working in my blueberries/on my rental apartments, doing portable custom sawing, doing logging, or having a full time job) I have designed my floor with a 5" deep pit down the center, slightly narrower than the firebox width. It is level under the firebox but slopes down 1/8"/ft towards each end. One end will supply the blower with fresh air and will be covered with steel plate to form an air chase, and an elec conduit goes from the outer wall into this for blower control and any other curcuit I may want to add. This conduit goes under the floor from one side (panel box side) into the trench. The trench from the firebox end out will be blocked or closed off to keep the air from blowing right thru but will be pulled out to remove any ash not bolwn up the stack. The slope is for when I hose the floor down to drain outside. I had considered putting a floor drain in but decided this would more easily maintained. If anything ever gets washed out that should not be left on the ground I can scoop it up and bury it in a safe place. Brookledge, As far as getting perfect support, bedrock is the best you can ever get.

[Valley View Sugarhouse]

As a contractor and sugar maker I pondered this also.. Turns ou in Vermont you need no permit for a ag building, however some towns require you file a building plan, (a filled out permit app fee but there is no denial or grace period) Best of luck with this and start local go from there..

P.S. if anyone has current use or forestry questions in NH or VT let me know..

[hookhill]

The rumour in our town is that your suppose to file a $10 building permit for any building. We have put up quite a few without the permit and nobody has squauked yet. Just as long as the appraiser counts your buildings and the town gets thier tax money...all is well!!

[Brad W Wi]

I just have to throw in my $.02 worth on this subject. This past spring I wanted to put up approx. a 1 1/2 car size garage for making syrup in. I had to go to the county for the permit. Because of the way it was zoned I had to have a residence to live in on the 40. I have a house a mile down the road but that didn't count. I was told to get a waiver of any kind would cost and would take time, the same was for rezoing too. To make a long story short I ended up with a building that looks like a house and meets the required square footage plus, as well as everything else they wanted. But it will house my sugaring equipment. Minumum square footage for the county was 500 sq. ft. I ended up with 750 sq.ft. I could of just put it up with out the permits but that's not in me to do it, and they would of caught up to me sooner or later. It's nicer than I would of put up to begin with, but it cost alot more too.The old saying is "you can't fight city hall" is correct. Through all the hoops I had to jump I just kept repeating to the county officials " I JUST WANT TO MAKE MAPLE SYRUP'

[SUGARSMITH]

funny story- When my father and I were building a sugarhouse 30 years ago, some people asked him if he would give permission for them to take walks on his property. He gladly said no problem, next day he was visited by the building inspector, he was good about it, told us how he found out and said I really dont want to but.......
People.....

[blackstrapking]

I have just recently gone through this process of obtaining a builing permit in ny state. I applied on friday of last week and recieved my "paper permit" on the following saturday. I think that two key ingredients to my succesfull permit were as follows: I am apparently zoned agrigulture and have adequate space 30FT min on either side of my building on my property.

[mountainvan]

When I expanded my saphouse, was building an addition on my house at the time, I asked our building inspector if I needed a permit for the saphouse too. He replied," as long as it does'nt look like I can pull my truck in it, no". Well the front of my saphouse looks like the bow of a ship. He could pull his truck in cause it's wide enough, just does'nt look it. There's almost always someway to get around the rules in the mountains!

[maplehound]

If you are building an AGriculture Building on Ag zoned land, I believe that the constitution provides that you can't be charged for building a new or changing an exsiting building. Not real sure where it is found but that is what a zoning inspector told me.
Ron

[Revi]

We had to get a "permit by rule" to put our sugarhouse where it is. We took pictures and put up silt fencing, etc. Otherwise there was no problem. There was just one place that we could put it on 20 acres, and that is the place where all the tubing runs to, and it's close to the road. Serendipity.

[The Sappy Steamer]

Well I finally got in touch with the town on my building permit. There's certainly no worthwhile "Ag exemption" for a backyarder like myself. I would have to sell ten thousand dollars worth of products a year for the next two years to qualify. My assessment would automatically be boosted to a commercial premium rate. The exemption only applies to new buildings and not revamped buildings. So the agricultural route is pretty much a dead issue. We're going to meet with the building inspector tomorrow to try the pole barn or shed route. I'm sick already cause I found out my assessment went up another thousand dollars for next year and I haven't touched anything yet. Thinking about mounting that 2x6 in the back of my pickup. :)

[royalmaple]

You could just get one of those pick up truck campers for the back of your bed, put the 2x6 right inside. Then tow a utility trailer full of wood behind the whole mess and be a mobile sap processing plant, you won't need a collection tank, just dump the buckets into the feed tank on the roof, and boil as you go down the road. I mean of course you'd need another person to drive or tend the fire, that would be just plain nuts if you tried to do it all yourself.
:lol:

Take pictures and post them.

[maplehound]

You could use a storage shed type building that has no perminit atachment to the ground and can be easily moved. Just build it on skids. Ussually that wouldn't up your property tax or need a building permit,Still migt need a zoning permit though.
I have seen this done with a small 2x6 evaporator inside a 8x12 building.

[The Sappy Steamer]

I started out with a 11x15 moveable shack that I can put up and take down in a day. I would like to go with a more "turn key" operation. ( No Matt, not that kind of turn key ) I asked the assessor what qualifies as a temporary or seasonal structure and she said greenhouses and the like. She said the building inspector would need to determine if mine qualifies or not. If I ask him and he says it doesn't, I can't very well play the "I didn't know " card. I'm not going to ask for specifics on that one and I'll leave that as my ace in the hole. For now I am just going to apply for a permit to enclose my pavilion and take it from there.

[royalmaple]

:D :!:

[Sugarmaker]

Cant wait to see the pictures of the mobile unit with the tank on the top and the steam rolling out as you tool from tree to tree.

We have trouble in the area with meth labs, I guess mobile maple labs may be next. :lol: Its a entire maple underground movement! They move into the area in mid Feb and are long gone by April First! Feels a little creepy being part of this. Wonder if anyone is watching :lol:

Sappy,
I sure hope you can get a real sugar house someday :!: Every sugarmaker needs one. Keep trying. If you need a petition I will sign it.

Chris

[HanginAround]

We should be lining up for the maple rehab centres :D

[NH Maplemaker]

My wife has said that for years :!: :!: :D

[The Sappy Steamer]

Thanks Chris.I'm sure I'll have a real sugarhouse someday,but I won't be giving tours. By the way " The Sugarhouse " isn't a new name for jail is it? 8O I thought THIS was the hardest way to get sugar! :oops:

[Revi]

Good luck with the permits. The process is a bit onerous, but it's worth it to do it right. Pour yourself a slab with a drain. You can always put a metal roofed pole barn over that and stick the evaporator in there. Finish off the sides later. It's great to have a place to boil.
Have you read Noel Perrin's book, Amateur Sugarmaker? You'd like it. He's a great writer. He starts out telling about building the shack and then talks about setting up his 2x6. It's a great read.

[The Sappy Steamer]

Revi,
Thanks, sounds like a good book. I'll try to find it :)

[The Sappy Steamer]

That was easy enough. I found a used one on-line for under five bucks. Looking forward to the reading. Thanks again

[NH Maplemaker]

I also have the book and Revi is right, It's good! I met his X wife last year as she came by to take AG census. When she saw the sugar house she told me about a book her XHusbon had written about surgaring, I told her I had it and showed it to her! She then told me that he had written a second Book that I could find. He has past away now ! But lived in Thetford VT were he built that sugar shack! When I was working ,went by it all the time and did'nt evan know it!

[The Sappy Steamer]

That's pretty neat. It's a small world sometimes isn't it? I went back and looked to see if the other book was listed and it was. There are also " Storey Country Wisdom" bulletins he wrote about aspects of rural life. There's one about making maple syrup.
It's suprising how diverse his subject matter was,but he sure seemed to prefer the rural life theme. Not unlike the rest of us I guess.

[NH Maplemaker]

Sappy Steamer, What was the name of the second book :?: I never did find out. Was it available? And were are you looking? Yes rural life is great, But I think I was born 100 years to late :!: :!: :!: Life was so much simpler back then :!: Jim L.

[The Sappy Steamer]

Jim,
The book is "Making Maple Syrup:A Beginner's Guide" Obviously not much use to you. There's some other maple related books on Alibris Books website if your interested. Ditto on that "hundred years too late" comment. Things could have been a whole lot easier in some ways ,but then again, more diificult in others. I think I'd trade the technology for the simplicity any day. Dan

[NH Maplemaker]

Sappy steamer,Thank you for info :!: You are right probly not much use to use. :lol: But than you never know :oops: Just wanted it to go with the other one,(For grand Kids) nice collectable :!:
Yes a hundred years ago they did'nt run down to the coffe shop every five minites or go to town every time you need something :!: Jim 2L.

[archangel_cpj]

Sugar shack in ohio is a AG use and it doesnt matter if your in the city or not thats State law I usually ask the folks to call and let me know its AG but legally they really dont have to do it this is directly from my lawyer (the prosecutor) mouth. Also in most areas if its below a certain sq footage say 200 here then no permit either.

[The Sappy Steamer]

Archangel,
I appreciate the post. It seems like people I talk to are saying the same thing about the Ag exemption from building permits. Everyone, that is, except for my local tax assessor's office and inspector. I know I need to contact the right person on the state level to get the most accurate answer, but just haven't had the time. One maple producer I know,who is on his local town board, told me he needed to do so to convince his local people. He was right.
One thing I'm not clear on is what the extent of the exemption is. Is it just from the permit fee and process? Or do they not up my property value due to the added value of the building? Or both? I get neither according to my local folks. I need a permit (even for a small shack) I need to sell more than $10000 gross a yr($50000 per yr if less than 7acres) and it automatically ups my assessment about three fold because it makes it commercial property! I don't want to sell it there ,I want to make it there. It's way out back off the road. Sure doesn't sound right to me! Dan :)

[archangel_cpj]

as long as 51% of the structure is ag it all is ag another words say I have a 100 square foot building and 51 sq feet is ad the other 49 is a shop the whole deal is ag as for property taxes it doesnt give you a break unless you have 7 acres or more dedicated to AG but you are excempt from building and zoning permits. I almost think it is in our state constitution.

[lew]

Sappy steamer,

I have just gone through the building permit hassle with Chenango County, NY. My building inspector told me I might be exempt from the building permit if I was actually in production. Well, why would I build a sugarhouse or barn to not be in production? Any way, he sent me a copy of the code and the code states that if the building is to be used soley for agricultural purposes, the building is exempt from the permit process. Well, this wasn't good enough for him. I told him the barn we were building was for goats and maple equipment storage. He kept persisting that we needed a permit. I refused on the basis of the paperwork he sent me saying that I didn't need a permit. Well, you know how this story goes, he said, I said, etc. Finally I called up our local Farm Bureau office and the president of Chenango County Farm Bureau went and saw the county code enforcement guy and read him a copy of the state building code. The County backed off once they saw I wasn't giving in and had an advocate. Three other points of interest for you are that there is no minimum amount of money you have to make in order to be in production, you simply just have to be in production. The second thing is that New York is going to officially recognize Maple Syrup Production in their laws now. Sugaring will be mentioned by its name and not just implied the laws. Hopefully this will eliminate some gray areas. Third, any new agricultural buildings built now can be exempt from property taxes for up to 10 years (I am still looking into this one). I have been a member of FArm Bureau and The New York State Maple Producers Assoc. for many years now and this is the first time I have had reason to call on them for help and they came through with flying colors. I've never been a person to try and get others to join orginizations, but these two have done a lot for sugaring and agriculture. The more members we have the larger our voice will be.

[Fred Henderson]

I am also a member of St Lawerence county and the state Maple Producers assoc. The only other Ag that I do is grow blueberries and we are just starting into that.

[The Sappy Steamer]

Lew,
I called the Dept. Of Agriculture And Markets in Albany last week about ag. buildings being exempt from the building permit process. The man was very clear that the policy in N.Y. as far as the state is concerned is that "We do not advocate the exemption of the permit process based on an agricultural status" He continued that individual municipalities may or may not require a permit for an ag. use structure. I could, however, file for a tax exemption which would require me to genenerate $10000 gross sales per year. My local assessor told me that would automatically turn my property into a commercial tax rate which would be about triple the taxes per year. The man in Albany said that isn't right. So basically all the rules are through the king that sits on your local thrown in the assessor's office. There isn't just a blanket state rule or anything in the Constitution. Other states have it covered under their "Right To Farm" law, but not here. The tax exempt law is very clear, but the exemption from permits is real fuzzy because it's left up to the discretion of the local municipality. I'll be applying for my permit this week I guess. I've had enough of the bureaucracy, but I'm sure there's more coming.