Once, upon the near completion of a large roll-in fuel kiln being built in a restricted zoning area, a local complaint was filed and in no time a city building inspector came into sight. He glanced at the completed arch which rose above him, and asked to see the building permit for the structure.  I replied that it was not a structure, but rather a piece of equipment.  The kiln was built with no bounding mortar in the brick, making it dismantling if necessary. Still, the building inspector would not accept the kiln as a piece of equipment and repeated that it was an enclosed structure requiring a building permit.  I asked the inspector to return the next day so that I could present him with proof that the kiln was indeed a piece of equipment.  In the interim, ten large burners were installed on the kiln, and three large pots measuring 60" high, were put into the firing chamber.  Upon his return, I asked the inspector to step into the "structure" along with the floor vases previously installed. I turned on the burners, all eight of them, in order to bring the temperature well over 2300 degrees F.  From that day forward, there was never any more question as to whether the kiln was a structure or a piece of equipment.

I am aware that each situation has its own set of circumstances which need to be carefully evaluated and handled in a manner that Will not offend or infringe on zoning regulations.  However, in many circumstances I have learned that whenever there is a "grey" zone in defining what to apply or not apply for, I'll build or install the kiln firs and then confront the situation.  I have had circumstances occur where a neighbor next door asked if I was building a "barbecue", and I would agree that I was!  Even recently as two days ago an enterprising  potter emailed me asking if he could build my 12' updraft catenary on a metal frame with rolling wheels so he could return his kiln back into his garage after firing.  He stated that his reason was that his neighbors got bent out of shape seeing a kiln next door outside.

Frank Colson