This thread is about tree houses.  (50 years from now)

Xeno are these concepts compleatly beyond your capacity to understand:

Building Codes
Deed Restriction
HoA Restrictions
MUD Restrictions
Zoning Laws

I was trying to warn you earlier in this thread, this isn't possible. Sorry.

http://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/planning/enforcement/permits.htm

This is only a small part of what you have to do just to ANY building in my hometown. -.- Notice it mentions Deed restrictions and Civic Associations need to approve the construction as well. Failure to do so will result in being taken into court to have the building removes based on violations of the set terms.

http://www.thetreehouseguide.com/planning.htm

Legal planning

An unwelcome and sometimes intrusive service, the legal system of planning regulations and building codes can cause many a head and heartache for would-be treehouse builders. The myriad laws governing building work are generally designed to provide a uniform and measurable level of safety for occupiers and have, of course, done well to protect people from serious structural failings and health hazards in regular buildings.

You will either agree or disagree with how I view treehouses and the law. My impression of a treehouse is that it is a fun exercise - something that takes hard work to build but which will give you a huge sense of achievement and a lasting, useful addition to your garden. Involving children in various parts of the work teaches them many practical skills and gets them occupied with something creative, rather than television or video games. One of the reasons I started this web site was because I think treehouses are so great that everyone should have the chance to build one. In my communications with other treehouse builders the law has, in every case I can think of, been a hindrance to the builder. In the pursuit of ever more restrictive safety regulations, the inherently unconformist features of a treehouse are widely frowned upon and condemned by officials.
Keeping on the right side of the law

    * Build on your own land, or at least have permission.
    * Discreetly ask around the neighbourhood for people's general thoughts on your treehouse.
    * Very discreetly ask around the local council/governing body to determine if any laws exist regarding treehouses. Not many areas have specific laws, but if so, study them in detail.
    * Keep away from boundaries. These are definite no go areas for building and should always be avoided. No part of the structure should reach within ten feet of the boundary of your property, although this distance can vary.
    * Design the house to avoid having obvious privacy-infringing areas, such as large windows or balconies overlooking neighbours or roads.
    * Try to choose a site that's not visible from the road. Not everyone who sees your treehouse will be impressed and anyone can make a complaint.
    * Don't consider making an official planning application unless you are properly prepared. Getting a building permit is hard going for a treehouse. You will need a structural engineer who is prepared to validate the strength of the design, which is not easy. Treehouses are much more dynamic in their support and movement and so are difficult to quantify into real stress and strain measurements.
    * Keeping the size and design a little restricted demonstrates that the treehouse is a 'temporary structure' - the magic words. Convincing the authorities of this label is important to help negate the need for a building permit. Remember, sheds don't need permits so be prepared to describe the treehouse as such. Temporary structures usually have height restrictions (eg, fifteen feet in some places) which you are quite likely to breach building in a tree - unfortunately there's little you can do about that, other than hiding the offending parts.
    * Avoid fitted electricity and plumbing. You will be giving the impression that the building is to be used as accommodation, and that is simply not the route down which you want to travel. Your treehouse must not appear to be a potential dwelling. Many, many restrictions will apply if it does appear to be occupied or if the intent is there. You can always run an extension lead for electricity up there as another 'temporary' measure.

What is this tree you speak of? I see only land.

And all land belongs to the Queen.

lol. they spin with the wind. so in addition to producing enough electricity to light a 40 watt light bulb for 1-2 seconds every year, your house is annoyingly spinning at random times.

Someone hit Xeno in the head too many times as a child. Somebody buy him a unicorn and send him off to sea.

"No.  In addition to producing enough electricity on windy days to run all your household appliances, the gyroscopic forces resulting from the multi-story spinning apartments spinning in balance stabilize the tree and prevent it from getting blown-over even in the most severe hurricanes."

ROFL! Dude you've probably never even been through a hurricane before. I HAVE! Ike was a cat 2 hurricane and it destroyed 200 year old growth trees. Winds literally PULLED the trees out of the saturated ground, roots and all (they didn't break).

Just drop it dude, you lack the real world knowledge to make it work (not to mention all the legal hurtles). There are many easier and more PRACTICAL means to be more efficient in our building and housing than to try and live as space monkeys in the trees.

http://gizmodo.com/5161784/four-tropical-skyscapers-commissioned-to-keep-shenzhen-stock-exchange-hq-nice-and-shady

This is the approach now being taken by many architects for more sustainable design in their projects. The new world trade center in NYC is another great example. As is this apartment building:

http://gizmodo.com/5019323/dynamic-tower-skyscraper-every-floor-self+rotates-powered-by-wind-and-sun

Note: You have to eventually address all of the legal issues that I've given you else you won't be able to "prove" anything. Avoiding the augment is the same as conceding the points raised.

You spelled my name wrong. You won't be able to send me any hate mail or bombs with my name wrong.

I wouldn't want to find out. o.O O.o

But they don't get hurricanes over there anyways so I suppose it's alright. Though you have to admit, the designs are pretty sweet (talking about the gizmodo articles)

Don't you see that there is a problem in our societies?  For example, it is a crime to plant a tree and build a livable 'off-grid' tree house - a simple, natural act that could help alleviate our children's burdens.  Even writing about it is considered an act of agitation against the status quo, labeled as evil?  Why are you people so bloody closed-off to even THINKING about possible innovations that could one day save your life?

mars? space stations are more likely, maybe a moon base... our grandchildren could be on mars... a couple of generations after that who know, another solar system?

X( then go be a scientist! or better yet an engineer