”
Dear Red Phone, I have a question for you. Is it legal to have
people live in a backyard shed? I’m pretty sure the people that
live at 8450 Hanna St. have people living in a shed in the
backyard. The lights are on all night long, and they are noisy. It
really worries me because if there is a fire in that shed all of
our houses will go up in flames because it sits so close to the
fence. Can you find the answer to my question? Thank you.
”
City staff says no, it’s against California building codes
“Dear Red Phone, I have a question for you. Is it legal to have people live in a backyard shed? I’m pretty sure the people that live at 8450 Hanna St. have people living in a shed in the backyard. The lights are on all night long, and they are noisy. It really worries me because if there is a fire in that shed all of our houses will go up in flames because it sits so close to the fence. Can you find the answer to my question? Thank you.”
Dear Is it Legal,
Red Phone contacted Code Enforcement Officer Scott Barron, who said it is not legal to live in a storage shed. California Building Code regulates accessory structures such as tool sheds or storage buildings regardless of size by classifying them as a type U occupancy. Structures built to that standard can be used for storage uses only.
However, buildings approved for human habitation have a type R occupancy classification. Approved type R structures include many features that are required to meet California Health and Safety Code standards including approved heating systems and natural light and ventilation systems. Living or sleeping in a type U structure is a violation of numerous codes and regulations.
“Our policy is, if a person wants to place a complaint anonymously, we allow it however they must contact the code enforcement officer directly to give us an opportunity to ask any questions we may have for them. So I would recommend that you encourage them to contact Gilroy Code Enforcement directly at 846-0264.”
So good caller, call code enforcement and register your complaint. Then call Red Phone and let us know if everything was taken care of to your satisfaction.
No call from Gilroy High School irks mother of student
“Red Phone, I’m very upset with the school response to messages. You leave them and they call you two to three days later. I did not get a call when my daughter was involved in a brawl at all. Gilroy High School, you have a problem. I’m going to notify the district about this.”
Dear Upset,
Red Phone contacted Gilroy High School Principal James Maxwell, who said the Gilroy Unified School District policy is to respond within 48 hours. He said all parents whose children were involved in this incident were contacted that same afternoon.
“If we get a complaint that a staff member has not returned a call, the administration goes to the staff and asks them to return the call that day,” Maxwell added.
So good caller, seems we have a case of he-said, she-said. You say you didn’t get a call, while the GHS principal said all involved were called. Still not satisfied, call the Red Phone again.
Red Phone, thanks for the help in getting rid of noisy chickens
“Hey Red Phone, the chickens on Third street are gone. Thank you very much for your help.”
Dear Clucked,
Red Phone is happy to be of service. For those of who unaware of the chicken saga, back in late March, Red Phone got a call about noisy chickens on Third Street and contacted Code Enforcement Officer Scott Barron, who said city officials would contact the owners and tell them they cannot have chickens in city limits and that they’d have to get rid of them. Apparently, mission accomplished. Thanks for the response from the city and Red Phone hope you are now sleeping in peace.
