Quote:
Originally Posted by funniguy84
Hello all! Super new to the forums so thank you for the welcome. My wife and I are looking to use a school bus on an empty lot to start a nature school for about 15 children. We have ponies, goats, bunnies, and other animals and are looking to engage young children with a nature based cirriculum.
I am getting feedback from the fire marshall that he considers a school bus a "structure", and therefore I need to implement all sorts of road improvements, water tank requirements, and other IFC requirements.
Has anyone ever run into this? I can't seem to find good information online about the nature of a bus as a "structure" versus it not being considered one. I live in Texas if that helps 
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Run into this? Sort of.
You wrote, "ponies, goats, bunnies...'
Is the bus on A-1 zoned land?
Maybe the offial was thinking of RV or recreational vehicles, possibly residential codes.
If you are an active farm, or can become one, try registering the bus as an ag vehicle, instead. The state will give you a permit that the county can't revoke, refute or dispute.
Anything you can build into a pole barn, ought to be fine in a mobile pole barn (bus). Most ag buildings are mobile, usually on skids. Chicken tractors, horse shelters, swine shacks, gothams (goat homes).... heck, even the electric fencing is mobile. I have a small trailer dedicated to fence repair. (Ya dig?)
Be sure to ask the inspector what, if any, permits are required for mobile, unattached, ag 'structures'. (Likely none)
Do NOT say children or school. Instead say, farmer & her immediate family, ag supplies & equiptment, animals & feed....
To register agricultural vehicles in Texas, you can apply for farm license plates and submit the application to your local county tax assessor-collector's office. You may also need to provide proof of eligibility, such as a permit card from the Texas Comptroller's office.
Eligibility:
Farm vehicles can be used for transporting livestock, poultry, dairy, timber, farm products, and laborers
Farm vehicles can also be used for transporting the owner's family for necessities like school, church, or medical treatment
Farm vehicles cannot be used for gainful employment other than farming or ranching
Required documents:
Form VTR-52-A, Application for Farm License Plates
Proof of eligibility, such as a permit card from the Texas Comptroller's office
Proof of current liability insurance for farm trucks or farm truck tractors
Copy of the title application receipt (VTR-500 RTS) if you recently submitted an application for title
Copy of the lease agreement if the vehicle is leased
Fees:
The plate fee for Go Texan license plates is $30 per year
Personalized license plates cost an additional $40 per year
Seasonal agricultural registration fees are based on the number of months being applied for