Question for my future build.

I had some questions for my future build.

1.) What really make earthship and other off-grid building styles zoning nightmares, what makes them so Illegal and a hassle to build?. Is it the general construction?, the electrical?, the water and sewer systems?.

2.) Can these methods still be used in the construction of a home but still be within any zoning requirements or would I have to be built like a contemporary home to meet code?.

3.) Is the earthship style of building the cheapest and most cost effective way of building an off-grid home?. Or is there cheaper methods of building that I can use to incorporate into my future build to reduce the construction cost.

I'm really interested in doing a hybrid build incorporating earthship, tiny house and other building methods. So I'm trying to do my research on any and all building methods.

hi chad,
i am no expert, but i will try ti answer some of the questions as i have done a fair amount of research on earthships

chad gibson wrote:I had some questions for my future build.

1.) What really make earthship and other off-grid building styles zoning nightmares, what makes them so Illegal and a hassle to build?. Is it the general construction?, the electrical?, the water and sewer systems?.

i think it is a bit of everything. building with tires, indoor grey water systems and all of the cool things about an earthship. it really doesnt fit into the standard box when you go to get a permit.

chad gibson wrote:2.) Can these methods still be used in the construction of a home but still be within any zoning requirements or would I have to be built like a contemporary home to meet code?.

there are other ways to build earthship styled homes. pass solar and earth bermed homes are pretty common in the southwest. there may be some issue with the self contained water systems, but that would vary by location.

chad gibson wrote:3.) Is the earthship style of building the cheapest and most cost effective way of building an off-grid home?. Or is there cheaper methods of building that I can use to incorporate into my future build to reduce the construction cost.

i always thought, what you save in materials building an earthship, you make up for in labor.
if you are willing to mechanize some of it, "rammed earth" seems to be a good alternative to pounding tires

chad gibson wrote:I'm really interested in doing a hybrid build incorporating earthship, tiny house and other building methods. So I'm trying to do my research on any and all building methods.

good luck and keep us posted!