Advice needed: Bunk house being delivered this week

[catherine]

As I mentioned in another thread, we have decided to allow DS and DDIL to build a little "bunkhouse" for when they come up. They are here roughly 10 nights out of the month--sometimes less, sometimes more. The house is within permitted range: 10x10 and will be sited where DH's tomato garden sat, tucked in a corner of our small plot and bound on one side by a fence/neighbor's lilacs, another by forsythia bushes, and shielded from sight on the front side by two other outbuildings. It is a cute little thing with a porch and window boxes. I am confident it won't be an eyesore.

But I am afraid to give my neighbors the heads-up because I don't want them to make comments, or judgments, or gossip. OTOH, do I owe them a heads up? If I tell them in advance, will that be more of a neighborly thing to do, or should I just do it with no apology? It is my property, after all. But when we got the camper, we intentionally told our next-door neighbor and got his rubber stamp on where it is sited.

My "best friend" up here was fishing for information because we have been cleaning out that corner and relocating the compost bin. She said, "I'm surprised you didn't take over that spot for your own garden." And I simply said "We may be doing something else with that spot." So when it comes on Thursday, she's going to know I simply chose not to tell her. DH is adamant that we don't say anything to anybody.

The kit is being delivered on Thursday.

What do you guys think?

[bae]

It would depend entirely on my relationship with my neighbors.

My current neighbors on both sides, I tell them when I am leaving so they can keep an eye out on the place, and when I am expecting to have lots of company, so they can let me know if my guests are annoying them. We work together on neighborhood cleanup and safety projects, and have keys to each others homes (though, homes here are rarely locked).

My neighbors in other places I've lived, I would not mutter a hint of my personal business to.

[catherine]

It would depend entirely on my relationship with my neighbors.

My current neighbors on both sides, I tell them when I am leaving so they can keep an eye out on the place, and when I am expecting to have lots of company, so they can let me know if my guests are annoying them. We work together on neighborhood cleanup and safety projects, and have keys to each others homes (though, homes here are rarely locked).

My neighbors in other places I've lived, I would not mutter a hint of my personal business to.

Yeah, there's the rub. We have had a great relationship with the neighbors, in exactly the same ways you mentioned--consideration, working together, mutual aid. But there is one neighbor in particular that DH had a falling out with, and it has created a little animosity. And the "best friend" I mentioned in the post is his partner. So if this had come up last year, I'd definitely tell everyone in advance. But now I'm not sure.

[Tybee]

Yeah, there's the rub. We have had a great relationship with the neighbors, in exactly the same ways you mentioned--consideration, working together, mutual aid. But there is one neighbor in particular that DH had a falling out with, and it has created a little animosity. And the "best friend" I mentioned in the post is his partner. So if this had come up last year, I'd definitely tell everyone in advance. But now I'm not sure.

Why does he not want you to say something? This would make me uncomfortable since I am close to the neighbor and she is my friend. How does he plan to handle it when the bunkhouse goes up?

[Tybee]

Other question is how big can it be before you need a permit, and are within all the legal requirements? Do you have a HOA?

[Tradd]

Is this a tiny house? I want to see a photo of the model online!

[frugal-one]

Could also be an “office” where you are writing your book when not occupied by kids?

[catherine]

Why does he not want you to say something? This would make me uncomfortable since I am close to the neighbor and she is my friend. How does he plan to handle it when the bunkhouse goes up?

Yeah, I know. I think he's suspicious that the neighbor will raise a stink of some kind. I agree that he might, although I would rather be above board. However, technically it's none of anybody's business because it really doesn't impact anyone. And to the point about the permit, we don't need one for any outbuilding under 100 sq. ft. and there are no other restrictions, other than it cannot be attached to the main dwelling.

But even though it's nobody's business, I do feel it's common courtesy to let our neighbors know, especially since we're so close to each other (physically close).

[catherine]

Could also be an “office” where you are writing your book when not occupied by kids?

Haha! You have the right idea. I use the camper for that purpose!

[catherine]

Is this a tiny house? I want to see a photo of the model online!

I actually don't have the link, because I didn't purchase it, but I do have a picture from the kit specification list.

Image 8-19-25 at 7.17 PM.jpg