Treehouse faces demolition in dispute with Fairfax County

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=149&sid=2584585

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - It seemed like a great idea -- build a treehouse on his property for two growing boys. But for one local man, it's turning into a big, expensive lesson in government red tape.

Mark Grapin thought his two sons would love the treehouse.

He called Fairfax County before starting to find out the rules for the Broyhill Park neighborhood in the Falls Church area of the county.

"The guy in building permits laughed me off the phone," Grapin says. He was told it's a treehouse and not built to any code.

This is the same community that made it against the rules for students to touch each other at all because a couple kids were playing bloody knuckles a couple years back.

The real funny part is that the same thing would happen here. Call the Park County BD and ask them for a permit for a treehouse. They will laugh at you and either

A. Tell you you cannot get a permit for such things and thus you cannot build it. It is against code on so many levels.
B. Tell you that you don't need a permit, so just build it, but if a neighbor ever complains, you will get a $50 fine for every day it was up, just like for you peeling paint...if your neighbor complains...or if you shine light on a neighbor's property....if your neighbor complains. I call it the Palin technique, keep it illegal, generally say we are not out to get anyone and then get anyone we want.

It is all illegal folks, especially here, just go to work and pay your taxes and shut up. Park County - the Liberal wasteland that fixes their liberal problems by claiming to be conservative...there it's all better. Don't worry about the 10 new laws and fees, they are to make sure you keep your $ and stay free.

These are the same rules that got rid of the all American Cabin, which is a relic of the past in places with these stupid unconstitutional searching codes. This is strongly requested by the public so they can be safe and don't have to evaluate people they hire or understand what they buy, thus most of the things you could do on your land are now illegal or require permits.

Just remember that the BOCC reads this stuff and gets inspired.

Hey we are dumping 60 million and killing guys to build new schools in park, perhaps we should raise taxes again and start a child recreation structure oversight board, seems like the only solution.

Call the BD and ask about how you legally go about building a shaky house in a tree out of second hand materials that you can send your kids and your neighbors kids up into for the next decade. I, of course, believe you have the right to do so, but you don't, even if they say you do. Which chapters apply and when are the inspections. Don't forget to tell them that the kids may sleep up there, as this will effect the sizing of the floor joists. Please someone call. Ph: (719) 836-4255. If they let you build, ask them for some kind of written permission that you can use in case a future official raises a concern, or if a neighbor parent sues you. See how that goes. Don't forget to tell them that there will be a feature about the county approved tree house in the flume.

When you call them remember I have heard that they have kicked people out of their home, only to rip it down and leave them living in a tent....why, they did not pull a permit to build their own house on their own land. They offended those in power, no small deal, you can end up living in the dirt because they are concerned about your living conditions.

Treehouse...haha

In Cali, local zoning boards have stopped groups out to help the homeless from handing out appliance boxes for shelter...because they don't meet the building code. It is more legal to have the homeless out in the cold and rain...when will they figure out that they can just ticket the homeless to solve the problem, just make it more illegal and human nature will simply go away. Surely they were inspired by someone from CO.

Forest through the trees, are you looking?

Why is it not surprising. There is always someone who knows what is best for you. Thanks for your concern, now shove it and worry about yourself instead. My response to all those who are so concerned for you and your families' safety. It's a wonder our federal government has not gotten involved... yet. Let the revolution and abolishment of overbearing legislation begin.