Potable water means the water is safe for humans to drink and cook with. If the water available is not sufficient for the homestead needs you will not have a successful homestead.Ī nd you will come to regret trying to homestead that plot of land.Ī suitable source of water also involves the concept for a source of water that is potable. Hauling water to a homestead is expensive, tiring and in many cases back-breaking labor. I explain in this article, “How Can Insufficient Homestead Water Supply Be Improved?”Ī homestead lives and dies on the availability of water.Ī nd if there is not enough water for your needs you will have to bring water in from outside the homestead. In some cases there are actions that can be taken to increase the water available for your needs. This water can come from a well, spring, year round creek or any source of water except a shared water source controlled by the person selling you land.įor more information about this you can read what I wrote in “Shared Water Source (Problems, Laws, Agreements).” In “Daily Homestead Water Needs (Determining Amounts Necessary)” share more about this. Has A Suitable Source Of WaterĪ suitable source of water is enough water to supply your daily homestead water needs.

In some Counties a building on wheels, such as a tiny house that is able to be licensed as a travel trailer, may not increase property taxes. You may learn that building below a set number of square feet in size does not require a building permit and does not increase property taxes.Ī building less that 200 square feet in size might not require a building permit and might not increase property taxes. In addition to a home you should be sure of the requirements for outbuildings such as a barn or shed. One common requirement is to have a specific plot of land under contract to purchase IF the Zoning Board or Planning Commission approves your request for the Lot Size Variance. You would need to contact the Zoning Board or Planning Commission and inquire about presenting your request at the next meeting. You may be able to get a Variance from the County Zoning Board or Planning Commission for building on a lot smaller than the usual size. You need to know what the lot size limit is in the area you are considering homesteading.

In the American West the lot size limit for building outside a city limit can be as much as 5 acres. In the American East the lot size limits for building outside of a city limit can be as little as 1 acre. there are limits to the size of lots that can be built on when you get outside of a city limits and into the country. These steps are outlined in “Purchase Land Without A Lot Of Money⎜Owner Financing Guide.” No Restrictions Prohibiting Buildings When you find a 2-3 acre plot of land that can be utilized for a small homestead and you can purchase it using owner financing there are steps that need to be taken before Closing the Sale of the property. Outside of the city limits of a small town there can be a 5 acre minimum lot size requirement for building a dwelling.

The biggest challenge to homesteading on 2-3 acres is finding land that meets the necessary requirements. Yes, if the land has: No restrictions prohibiting buildings, A suitable source of water, Passed a percolation test, Enough relatively level land for your needs, You have the skills to build a dwelling, Or you can have a dwelling moved onto the land. In a previous article, “Homestead One Acre – (Can It Be Done) – An In-Depth Guide” we showed that it was not easy to Homestead on 1 acre of land.Ĭan I successfully Homestead on 2-3 acres of land? With careful planning and selecting a plot of land with the right amenities on it a sustainable homestead is much easier on 2-3 acres of land than on one acre of land.

10 acre hobby farm layout