Can You Claim a Hunting Cabin as a Residence?

One of the most common questions we get here at Trailside is, “Can I live in my hunting cabin full time if I want to?” A modular cabin is great for tiny home living, but when building on your hunting land, it can get a little finicky. Typically, it is allowed to claim your hunting cabin as a residence, but there are a lot of legalities you have to follow before you can do so. You’ll have to verify local regulations you have to follow, obtain permits, and ensure the building is in proper condition to be a residence. Below, we’ve detailed what you need to know to claim a Trailside Structures’ hunting cabin as a residence.

Local Zoning Laws and Regulations 

Generally, you can live in one of our hunting cabins as a residence, but it depends on the local laws and regulations of the town you built it in. The plot of land you build your cabin on must be appropriately zoned for residential living. If you already have hunting land, we’ve realized that you may need to rezone it to be able to build on the property. At Trailside, we’ll help you find the best location to build your cabin on your property. You will have to set clear property boundaries for your hunting land, so you don’t trespass into your neighbor’s land accidentally. When using your private hunting grounds, you have to hunt within those boundaries. Talk to your local zoning authority to see if there are any specific laws about building on hunting land in your state and if you are complying with all zoning regulations. 

Permits

Along with understanding the zoning regulations for building a residence on your hunting land, you will have to obtain permits. First, you will need to obtain a building permit to build on your land, which must be obtained before any construction begins. If you get one of our electrical or plumbing solutions, you may also need permits for those, but that depends on your local municipality. Check with your local building department to determine the permits that are required. 

Certificate of Occupancy

In our experience, we’ve noticed that you will need to obtain a certificate of occupancy to claim your cabin as a residence. We think it best to obtain this after construction has finished to verify that it is safe to move in. A certificate of occupancy is a document issued by your building or zoning department that confirms your building is safe to live in and complies with all codes and regulations. You’ll need this for your cabin to be legally occupied. Our cabins are built with premium materials and skilled Amish craftsmanship that will ensure it is safe to live in for decades. 

Necessary Utilities

There are a number of utilities your cabin needs to have to make it permissible to live in full-time. These include water, electricity, and gas. You may also have to get sewer or septic line utilities, depending on the zoning laws in your area. Here at Trailside Structures, we can build your cabin to be equipped with all the required utilities.  Our cabins are wired to meet electrical code requirements with our three electrical heating options. We have an electric tankless water heater for continuous hot water. We can also add comprehensive plumbing solutions if you need them. Trailside Structures’ cabins are built with the necessary utilities in mind so you can claim your cabin as a residence. Not only are our cabins beautiful and functional, but once they are stocked with the amenities, they start to feel like a home away from home. 

Insurance and Taxes

Finally, to claim your hunting cabin as a residence, you will have to get insurance for your building and pay the proper taxes. Like owning a home, you need to insure your cabin to protect it from any potential disasters like fires and floods. You’ll need to get the proper insurance for the cabin as a residence, which we’ve noticed can be different from insurance for a seasonal hunting cabin. If your cabin is a secondary home, you’ll need to apply for vacation home or second home insurance. Get in contact with an insurance agent who will help you get the coverage you need. Once your cabin is built, you will need to pay property taxes for any structure that is on your land. 

Get a Hunting Cabin with Trailside Structures

Trailside Structures’ Bridger Log Cabins, Tiny House Log Cabins, and Teton Log Cabins are great structures if you want to use your hunting cabin as a residence. These cabin styles provide enough space for you to live comfortably and relax after a hunting trip. Check out our cabin gallery for ideas on how we build our cabins and the options you can get with them. For more information on claiming your hunting cabin as a residence, check out our Can You Live in a Modular Cabin as Your Primary Residence blog. If you’re ready to get started with building your dream cabin, contact us today!