I asked a lawyer who does real estate development: >> I'm having a prolonged flame with someone, and I'm afraid they're right. >> I'm claiming there are regulations about what you must have *in your house >> (single-family dwelling) right now* vs. when you sell it. But I may >> be wrong. I've searched online law resources for regs about houses, >> but they all seem to be enforced only when you sell. Know any rules >> about equiptment you must have in modern houses? He replied: >The rules are generally construction rules set forth in the state and local >building codes; they are regulations, not statutes for the most. They cover >everything from structure (foundation thickness, earthquake requirements in >CA, wind load engineering standards in FL. As far as equipment, I don't >believe that the codes are too detailed. They all require smoke detectors. >Then there are equipment specific regulations, such as the 3.5 gal toilets, >the safety garage door openers. There are also separate electrical codes that >mandate wall outlets every so many feet, what kind of wiring can be used. >There are plumbing codes that will require a bathroom with a toilet, tub, >lavatory, etc. in each house. Some building codes go so far as to require >minimum kitchens, but many don't. Most building codes are applied only to >new construction, but also kick in when there is major reconstruction of an >old home, or if the home is rented to others. There are some requirements on >sale; in NY you would have to install a smoke detector in an old home in order >to sell it, and must give an affidavit to the buyer that it is in working >condition. So Tim is right --there are no constraints on his property, unless he wants to improve or sell it. Or the government needs it for a freeway...
