Well this Californa homeowner/DIY builder did put a basement (40X24) under
my place in the desert. We live just 40 miles North of Rutan's Skunk Works.
We didn't bother putting a vapor barrier beneath the basement concrete floor
because you can get a prize if you can spit and it hits the ground. It is
dry here. We are on the east side of the Sierras about 2 miles away from a
canyon that has a stream part of the year that hits the ground about 4 miles
away and disappears right into the ground. I've lived in the area 41 years
and have never seen any flood water get anywhere within miles of our house.
However, when we decided to put an extension on our existing building, we
were informed that we were in some flood plain and a threat of 0.5' of
standing or running water was declared by FEMA to be a risk in the 100year
flood. Further they told us that if the cost of the addition exceeded 50%
of the existing structure, we might be required to "Raise the existing
structure 1.5" This we have in writing and they were informed of the 9'
deep basement and the "existing structure is a 40X72 steel building.
In spite of the dry desert environment, I don't believe that it is
currently possible to get a permit to build a basement in our area. Our
basement maintains a very comfortable temperature year round and has never
been flooded by any act of nature in the 34 years it has existed.
BTW the permit for our 24X72 addition for a car garage cost in excess of
$1,000. No plumbing, no electric, no windows.
Think carefully before you decide you have to have a basement. I don't know
about you but I'm getting sick and tired of government intervention in my
personal life.

--
Stu Fields
Experimental Helo magazine
P. O. Box 1585
Inyokern, CA 93527
(760) 377-4478
(760) 408-9747 general and layout cell
(760) 608-1299 technical and advertising cell

www.vkss.com
www.experimentalhelo.com


"Jim Logajan" wrote in message
.. .
Richard Riley wrote:
I wish someone would convince homebuilders in California that
basements are a good thing.

Basements appear to be more common on newer California construction.
Here's
an interesting article on the trend and why basements were more common in
the midwest and east but no so common in the west:

http://www.metroactive.com/papers/me...ews3-0116.html

The need to dig down at least 4 feet to anchor the foundation so as to get
below the winter frost-line was the reason I heard many years ago for why
basements were prevalent where I grew up (Minnesota). Once you have to dig
that deep, the thinking presumably went, you may as well dig down a few
more and have a basement. No such motive existed in most of California.