I have noticed some questions regarding historic buildings here on the forum. Yesterday, while researching the Michigan Building Code (a variant on the International Building Code) I discovered the following two sections which are quite interesting and may help explain what you can and can't do with your historic home.

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS THE MICHIGAN BUILDING CODE AND MAY NOT APPLY IN YOUR STATE. BE CERTAIN TO CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL BUILDING CODE OFFICIAL FOR THEIR RULES!

Section 3406

3406.1 Historic Buildings.
The provisions of the code relating to the construction, repair, alteration, addition, restoration and movement of structures, and change of occupancy shall not be mandatory for historic buildings where such buildings are judged by the building official to not constitute a distinct life safety hazard.

NOTE THAT THIS APPLIES TO 'HISTORIC' BUILDINGS, NOT SIMPLY EXISTING BUILDINGS. YOU HAVE TO OWN A 'HISTORIC' HOME, NOT JUST AN OLD ONE FOR THIS TO APPLY.

 

trance,

I do allot of work in additions and the renovations. I recently had to get a home removed from the historical list in Oakland Township. Luckily nothing important happened there and it was removed with incident. It is an issue that many don't understand. Buying an older home without further investigation can be disheartening if you cannot alter or improve the property.

Good point to bring up