hello,
im wondering if anyone has any knowledge of legally permitted earthbag homes in washington.
i did some poking around and could nothing legally permitted, but i dont want to keep saying im the first if thats not true!

its going to be a long slog either way but if there was another person who had gone down this road in washington already that could go a long way in establishing precedent with the permit office in pierce county where i plan to build.

on the other hand i have to admit there is some sense of ego satisfaction in being the first!

Hello joby,

The folks of earthship.com are pretty much the center of the earth-ship movement.
if anyone knows it's them. also they could give ya pointers on convincing the local building dept.

joby dorr wrote:hello,
im wondering if anyone has any knowledge of legally permitted earthbag homes in washington.
i did some poking around and could nothing legally permitted, but i dont want to keep saying im the first if thats not true!

its going to be a long slog either way but if there was another person who had gone down this road in washington already that could go a long way in establishing precedent with the permit office in pierce county where i plan to build.

on the other hand i have to admit there is some sense of ego satisfaction in being the first!

Joby,

Are you saying you actually got a permit from Pierce county to build an earthbag home? I live on Key Peninsula, in Pierce county, and would be very interested in this.

Clifford Reinke wrote:

joby dorr wrote:hello,
im wondering if anyone has any knowledge of legally permitted earthbag homes in washington.
i did some poking around and could nothing legally permitted, but i dont want to keep saying im the first if thats not true!

its going to be a long slog either way but if there was another person who had gone down this road in washington already that could go a long way in establishing precedent with the permit office in pierce county where i plan to build.

on the other hand i have to admit there is some sense of ego satisfaction in being the first!

Joby,

Are you saying you actually got a permit from Pierce county to build an earthbag home? I live on Key Peninsula, in Pierce county, and would be very interested in this.

oh hey sorry about the delayed response.
so, no i have not received a permit YET. but im optimistic. i have the plans stamped by an engineer and right now im just waiting for a consultant to finish some health and safety drawings, then i can submit.
the permit officer i have talked to for pierce county as well as a few other have all been very positive in their response. they say it will probably take a bit longer but if i have all the correct plans and forms it should be doable.
just a waiting game at the moment............................
but as it unfolds i would happy to keep you updated on how events unfold.
but if i forget to do this you can check out the link in my signature. it goes to a blog i have (re)started to chronicle the adventure of buying land, building the house, moving toward a more sustainable lifestyle and other good stuff

are you also planning on building out there?? maybe we could swap some labor!

I am living in Tacoma ATM and would love to hear updates. I would also love to check the place out, I may have some free time to help out with the build depending on when it happens.
Good Luck with the permit.

I just discovered this thread. My wife and I are planning to go down this same road, building an earthbag house in Pierce County, and would love to pick your brain/visit your site/possibly exchange labor! Whereabouts in Pierce County are you located? How was the planning/permitting process- did you have to use a structural engineer?

Hi, i know its been a few years from this, any updates on permit approval? We live here in Graham currently but wanted to purchase land possibly south of us. The next 7 years or so and build a earthbag/earthship along with some other buildings once we finish updating this home enough to sell it for a better price. Thanks 🤗