hi folks, I'm getting ready to build a pergola/arbor to support my grape vines, and I've run into a snag.... around here, if a "structure" has a foundation (including sonnet tubes), it is considered permanent, and therefore taxable (add even more onto the already astronaomical property taxes)..... I'm planning to build a timberframe style pergola with 6 posts (2 rows of three posts each). The three posts are 6'9" apart, and the 2 rows are 8' apart. The pergola will be 8'6" at the highest point.
My question is: is there any way to build this without putting a "permanent" foundation down? I'd like to avoid tying the posts together at ground level, as I'm hoping to set it up so that people cane walk in and out of it easily (without tripping on a sill).....
Acording to the local building contractor "stakes" are not considered permanent, but I'm not sure a stake wouls provide suffucient strength. I'm not worried about settling (up and down movement), but more racking - the structure will be very rigid at the top - there will be braces from the 6 legs to the top sill, but unless the legs are securely anchored to (or sunken into) the ground, I'm worried about them shifting laterally.....
thanks
--JD