Expert: Stephen Major (Owner--Major Design Group) - 5/12/2007

Question
I have a neighbor who seems to be building a 18' x 12' new bedroom on to his two-story house, on the upper level. He had an exiting 15' x 15' concrete patio below it and sat two 6"x6" 12 foot tall posts directly on that bout 8 feet from the existing house wall and two more in about 18" deep holes with poured in concrete about 10 foot farther out. He used a 2" x 2" header on the house and, I think single 12"x2" boards across the posts to hold the joists. He has no permit from the city, so no inspections will be done.

He seems to have just nailed a 2X4 to the roof of existing house to act as the ridge board for the new addition and put up the rafters.

I just can't believe that this is a safe structure for human occupation. I have a porch, about 4 1/2 ft. above the ground and have 7 concrete block pillars under it, set on footings and 8 6"x6" porch posts to hold up just a roof!

Would this structure meet minimum requirements for download under IRC?

Thanks,
Just call me a nosy neighbor,
Bonnie  

Answer
Bonnie,

It is difficult for me to comment on the adequacy of his structure without a site inspection or photos, but from your description it may be incorrect.  You should do yourself a favor (as well as any future occupants of that addition (which could include you or your family, I suppose, if you visit) and let the local zoning office know of this construction.  Structural failures or collapses are never good.  If your neighbor has not used an engineer, architect, or other knowledgeable source to design or approve the structure, he may be building something that is a hazard.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

--Steve Major