[Cob] cob permits

[Sarah Booth]

Sarah Booth here, checking in after an extended break from the internet.   
Many of you may recall my pleas for help this past autumn regarding our 
troubles with city building officials.  We were searching for a structural 
engineer willing to certify our cob structure so that we could obtain a 
permit.  I thought an update might be informative and helpful to those of 
you currently seeking permitting information and I am in need of more 
information from you out there.
So, the background is that we had just completed building the walls of a 
small cob structure in Corvallis Oregon when a neighbor tattled on us.  
Building inspectors determined that we needed to get a permit or remove the 
structure.  We were very lucky (thanks to the help of members of this list 
serve) to be able to find a structural engineer right here in town who 
(thanks to other natural building enthusiasts in the area - you know who you 
are) had a bunch of cob structural data and willingness to approve our 
building plans as structurally sound (we drew up our own plans and the 
engineer estimated his work would cost us about $1,500).  So, had we 
followed through with this, we could probably now have a permitted 
"accessory structure".  But instead, we decided to throw up a temporary tarp 
roof to protect the walls through the winter and increase our struggle with 
the city by pursuing a permit for a habitation rather than just an accessory 
structure.  So, now there are many more hoops to hurdle.  That brings me to 
our current dilemma.  R value.  This could possibly be a major road block in 
our efforts.  Thermal mass isn't recognized by codes.  We need to find out 
the R value of cob.  As is gets relatively cold and stays cloudy and grey 
for long periods here in Oregon, the required R value for a habitation is 
pretty high?  Anyone out there know of a source for technical data on cob R 
value?  Thanks for your time!  Sarah

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