Barndominiums in Shawnee
Shawnee, east of the metro in Pottawatomie County, adopted a new Unified Development Code on August 19, 2024, and it is one of the few local codes that uses the word barndominium.
The definition
The code defines a barndominium as a structure that includes living space and barn space on an agricultural property. Barns detached from the living space and operating as a separate structure are not included (Shawnee Unified Development Code (adopted Aug 19, 2024)).
Conditional use
In the use table, a barndominium is listed as a conditional use in the Transitional Agriculture district and a couple of other districts, not a use by right (Shawnee Unified Development Code (adopted Aug 19, 2024)). Conditional uses go through extra review, so allow time for it in your schedule.
Transitional Agriculture (TA) lots
The TA district is meant to preserve large tracts for farming, ranching and agrarian lifestyles. Its standards are a 2.5-acre minimum lot, 100-foot lot width, 10 percent maximum lot coverage, 50-foot front and rear yards, 20-foot side yards and a 35-foot height limit (Shawnee Unified Development Code (adopted Aug 19, 2024)).
What 10 percent coverage means
On a 2.5-acre lot, 10 percent is about 10,890 square feet of coverage, roomy for most barndos with a shop. On a small lot it fills quickly, so measure the full footprint, porches included.
Shawnee tips
- Ask the City how a home with a detached barn is classified, since that is outside the barndominium definition.
- Plan septic and water if the land is outside city service; see the OKC Metro Septic Guide and OKC Metro Water Well Guide.
- Have your lender review appraisal comparables early (Fannie Mae Selling Guide B4-1.3-08).
More: costs, metro rules, land checklist.