We are planning to build a barn on our 160 acres in southeastern AZ. We want to build it so the top floor has a living quarters for two of us. We want to bottom to be an area for small farm animals such as goats, sheep, etc. We would like suggestions for a plan. Where do we start? We would like the plan to have a deck off both ends of the barn upstairs.

-- Hank (hsnrs@att.net), March 11, 2002

Answers

I would start at my local township office to find out if the zoning allows for a single dwelling to house both people and animals. I know where I live, it would be a no-go right there because no building permit would be issued. Next, I'd inquire if my home-owners insurance policy would cover such a structure. Due to the fire hazards (i.e. highly combustibles like hay and straw being housed downstairs) some insurance companies won't insure a co-habitation type structure, or their premiums for such would be so high as to be ridiculous. I know you generally put some kind of heavy-duty fireproof material between the people portion of the structure and the animal portion for that very reason. Of course, maybe you don't intend to have insurance coverage, so that's not a concern as to whether or not you can get coverage.

I've seen several horse barns over the years in magazines and on web sites with living quarters, either above or beside. You could always modify the downstairs for smaller stock on one of these plans. I'd try doing some internet searches for horse barns. I bet you will find something that suits your purpose.

Here's a site with lots of different styles to give you ideas: www.barnsbarnsbarns.com

Here's a builder of timberframe homes that offers working barn/home combinations: www.hearthstonegeorgia.com

Good luck, Renee M.

-- Renee Martin (icehorse@altelco.net), March 11, 2002.

If you are going to build a bars over 160 acres I'd suggest you buy a forest first, that much wood would be very costly.

-- Paul (treewizard @buffalo.com), March 11, 2002.

You must really like flies. John

-- John Clark (johndiclrk@Elroynet.com), March 11, 2002.

Might look at plans from North Dakota State Univ. Extension Service, http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/MISC.htm

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), March 11, 2002.

Thanks Renee; very positive comments and we will look at all our options.

-- Narita (hsnrs@att.net), March 11, 2002.

I lived in an apartment above a barn and I really enjoyed it. Since I kept the barn clean there was not a fly problem. There were small windows set into part of the lower wall so I could see into the stalls. This was great way to check on the critters! A big note of caution.... Some animals can be really loud! :) Might need a seperate little barn for those ones. I hope that you can figure out a way to build your barn with your dwelling above. I know two families that live that way. The permit was listed as a barn with a caretaker(or horse trainer)appartment.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), March 11, 2002.