Having a home shop in a garage is fine if you only use it once in a while. The
problem is that I have to share the place with four cars, my tool collection, and
all our other junk. I'm thinking that my best option is to build a "shed" in the
back yard and migrate my shop to it. I live in Sacramento, CA, and the city buiding
code is difficult for amateurs like myself to interpret . As I understand it, one
needs a permit for any structure over 150 square feet regardless of the structure's
purpose. Last year, I built an enclosure to my patio with the help of a neighbor who
was a retired contractor who took care of all the bothersome details. He's deceased
now, and I wish I had spent more time learning about his trade.
What I plan to do is build a basic 20' x 20' structure along the lines of a storage
shed and add electricity later when it's time to start using it as an
honest-to-goodness shop. I have all of the tools and equipment neccessary for this
shed project, so my only expenses would be for the materials, plans, and food/beer
for my helpers. For now, it would just serve as storage for car parts and engines, a
big hand tool collection, garden tools, and a bunch of power tools I inherited years
ago. I mostly copy shaker furniture with hand tools and give away to family and
friends, but it's a pain in the ass to use the garage (my current shop) for this.

I know that local codes vary, but I have some general questions I hope someone can
answer:

1) Is a four inch thick slab foundation adequate for this and likely to be approved?

2) Am I correct in assuming I can build a plain box (16" OC studs) with a truss
roof, sliding doors and call it good for now?

3) I have calculated the cost of the lumber based on Home Depot prices. The shed
would be constructed of 2x4 studs with no interior finishing and 3/4" exterior grade
sheathing. The roof would be trusses sheathed in OSB and covered in shingles. I plan
to have two (single) sliding doors on north and east sides, and maybe a couple of
plexiglass windows. Is there any reason why this wouldn't be appropriate?

4) Would adding electricity to the shed (converting it to a shop) a year from now
have any affect on the permit that I built the shop on? In other words, is a shed
divergently different than workshop?

5) Many codes have a 36" min distance to lot line for residences. The city's website
gives no clue on this rule for storage sheds, but I'm assuming it holds for any
structure. Am I correct or is there a general exclusion for non-occupied structures?

6) I intend to make the trusses myself. Does anyone have any experience with the
engineered wood beams and trusses? It's possible to buy pre-built trusses here for
about the same as it would cost to buy the retail lumber, but it's hardly a deal if
they suck.

7) The proposed location of the fundation is 103 feet from the street. Can the
concrete be pumped to the form without the truck mauling my lawn?

8) In this type of structure, does the poured foundation have to be inspected before
the walls go up?

If anyone lives nearby, might I request your assistance in planning this?


Best regards to all,
--
-linux_lad