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USDA Crawl Space Height Requirment
- Thread starter Flakey
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RSW
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2002
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- Tennessee
Follow FHA appraisal protocol.
4150.2 Section 3-6:
(3-6) o There must be adequate access to the crawl space;
the appraiser must be able to access the crawl
space for inspection. Access is defined as ability
to visually examine all areas the crawl space.
Specifically, the minimum distance is 18 inches.
The Homeownership Reference Guide States this: Basements and Crawl Spaces:
1: There must be adequate access to the crawl space.
3: It is highly recommended that the minimum height of a crawl space
be 18 inches from the bottom of the joists.
So, It could be 18" or less. It's your call.
4150.2 Section 3-6:
(3-6) o There must be adequate access to the crawl space;
the appraiser must be able to access the crawl
space for inspection. Access is defined as ability
to visually examine all areas the crawl space.
Specifically, the minimum distance is 18 inches.
The Homeownership Reference Guide States this: Basements and Crawl Spaces:
1: There must be adequate access to the crawl space.
3: It is highly recommended that the minimum height of a crawl space
be 18 inches from the bottom of the joists.
So, It could be 18" or less. It's your call.
CANative
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2003
- Professional Status
- Retired Appraiser
- State
- California
Appendix D:
Crawl Space
· Mark this box if any part of the foundation system has crawl space.
· Access to the space should be clear. Examine the crawl space for inadequate access (minimum entry of the head and shoulders).
· Check the distance from the bottom of floor joists to ground. Space should be adequate for maintenance and repair. A minimum distance of 18 inches from the ground to the bottom of the joists is highly recommended but not mandated.
Crawl Space
· Mark this box if any part of the foundation system has crawl space.
· Access to the space should be clear. Examine the crawl space for inadequate access (minimum entry of the head and shoulders).
· Check the distance from the bottom of floor joists to ground. Space should be adequate for maintenance and repair. A minimum distance of 18 inches from the ground to the bottom of the joists is highly recommended but not mandated.
Bobby Bucks
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2002
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- Real Estate Agent or Broker
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- North Dakota
In an industry consisting almost entirely of portly, decrepit types (the males anyway) , an 8 x 16 foundation vent hole would be the equivalent of a camel passing though the eye of a needle....unless one "bricked" the camel and the appraiser.
Mark K
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2004
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- Indiana
'If there's anything more important than my ego around, I want it caught and shot now.'
Zaphod Beeblebrox, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"
sandss115
Freshman Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2013
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- Mississippi
What is this "Appendix D" from? I have the same issue right now (only the yelling has ALREADY started) and I'm looking for some solid documentation. My house has maybe 18" on one corner then slopes up to the opposing corner which has virtually no clearance at all- maybe an inch or two. Even though all the utilities are accessible at least a third or more of the underside of the foundation is not. I've been pulling all my info from the FHA handbook since USDA adopted it in 2008 but I don't recall seeing the section you quoted. Thanks for the help
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