Today I showed up at my property in Ontario to find a building official had made his way onto my land and posted a stop work order on two sheds I have built. One is 8x8 and the other is 8x12.
His written reason for the stop work order was his claim that they are two-story sheds.

The 8 x 8 shed has a second-story loft with walls about three and half feet to where the rafters begin.
After cutting away the bottom of the rafters I can stand up in the middle at 6 feet tall.

The 8 x 12 shed has a second-story with absolutely no space between the bottom of the rafters so one can only kneel and just barely with a space that is probably about 3 feet in height.

I know for a fact that the same building official has no problem with my neighbors sheds which are two storey and have a lot more headroom upstairs than the 8 x 12 shed I built. My neighbour says that because they are buddies and share beers together regularly, he told him it was no problem. I based my 8x12 building design on the fact that he had told my neighbour a building like that was no problem?

What can I do? Are loft sheds illegal in Ontario and can I fight this?

I've been clearing this land for over a year by hand, I have all the trees down and the land graded, I was just about to move my trailer onto the property and start to get to work on the foundation prep and plans/permits etc..

I've read on here, that if the sheds are put on skids, that they are considered temporary> is this true. they are both on pads with enough space to slide skids under.
Or could I buy trailers and slide the trailers under them as temp sheds?

I've also read that sheds may not be permitted in ontario/ some municipalities before a primary residence is up.
If this is the case, has anyone challenged this?
I am undergoing a change to an off grid and sustainable lifestyle. I've sold my house and am living in a trailer while I build my new smaller off grid passive solar house. and if I can't have a shed or two for my batteries and tools before I construct my house, how would I ever make a go at surviving long enough to build a house.

I really think someone should push back on the behalf of the green movement, I can understand OBC regulations for safety. But these pointless regulations that try to keep people from using their land without spending thousands of dollars for the right is criminal.

sorry for the rant. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also do I have recourse that he came onto my land, looked inside of both of my sheds and did not leave the doors closed after he left. he just left them wide open which is how they stayed for two days until I found the notice?

You need to start pretending that he is God's gift to government and that you are his best friend.

How is this a Green Building issue?

It is well worth developing the best possible relationship with your local code enforcement folks. The best way I have found to do this is to ask first - going over what you plan to do before you do it, acknowledge them as your local pros and that you appreciate their involvement in your projects, and their information and assistance. Make them feel welcome on your building site. I use these folks as a resource to help me get the best end product, and they feel comfortable with me, knowing I don't try to hide stuff from them or get over on them. I would not attempt to fight them, better to go hat in hand, explain your misunderstanding of the code, ask how you can make all better with them, and get them on board to help you in future. I call my code guys when I have questions and invite them to come down when I think there is something they want to look at before I fill it in or cover it over. Often they just tell me to go ahead, as they have confidence in me. You REALLY want that kind of relationship with them, not a confrontational one.

Our NY State county has a minimum size of building that does not need a bldg permit. I wish I could remember what it is, something like 150 sq ft or less. Do you have a similar code where you are? It really helps if you are conversant with the codes your building site falls under, and much of this info is now online.

-Rosalinda