Cob: land for cob house

[Charmaine R Taylor]

Hi Pam, Humboldt county, CA has an Alt. Owner Builder code so people her
are building with strawbale in some cases. At least the code is less
restrictive OUTSIDE the city areas of Eureka, although  not code free.
Land in the mountain area has been used by many for many types of
housing from cob to yurts, etc. and they are at least40- 65 min from
town for jobs.  Most people are looking for exactly what you have
said..an acre with freedom...it's getting harder to find.

I'd also like to suggest that people consider massive renovation  of old
shacks, barns, etc. By leaving a few walls standing you can do a lot and
meet saftey code restricitons, but still build alternatively.  SOmetimes
its more work to fix than build new, but it is also rewarding, and old
structures are already THERE and  are grandfathered in  so addiing on or
remodeling seems "normal". There is a great book, a favorite of mine,
called "47 creative houses, That started as bargain buildings"...shows
ideas from a fruit stand to an old gas station building to watermill,
etc.all modest beginnings, turned into works of love, with patience.

But good luck on what ever you decide.

Charmaine  Taylor/ Taylor Publishing
PO Box 6985, Eureka CA 95502
707-441-1632
http://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com