Regulations for straw-bale construction?

[Grassroots]

looking into building a house out of straw bale. the department of energy highly endorses this material for building and a bunch have been popping up aroung the country. what are you communites codes (if you have any) regarding building of these types of strructures for residential use? seattle (king county) i just herad is allowing it. do you guys have any around your community?

 

[donk]

If you are interested in alternative, energy, efficient construction techniques yoiu may also want to consider cord wood/stackwall.
These buildings are really durable, cheap to build (if you live n an area with wood available or are clearing you own lot) , easy to build and tough as nails (nearly fire proof).

PM me for more info and sources.


Straw houses are only economical to build if you live in an area with a good supply of cheap, high quality straw. As for meeting code, here they are considered to be "constructed of a material and method of historic relevance" and can therefore be considered to meet code. They are also considered similar to masonry construction.

 

[nerudite]

Try the City of Austin... they have straw bale construction fact sheet.