What are some of the basic laws and regulations governing commercial surfboard building. Please give the most common things you come up against (or must comply with). This is a touchy subject for many; a lot of you have been on both sides of the fence regarding this one. (home builders versus full blown commercial folks). Hau’oli makahiki, boys! T.
I a backyard builder and must comply with regulations as follows: 1) Must be zoned as a business for operation as such (city code)- my activity is properly a hobby as I make boards for myself and a few friends and do not charge for my services - friends pay for their own materials 2) Restricted to no more than two gallons of flammables (city code) - this does a good job if ensuring that I dont do lots of glassing 3) Excessive use of power tools or industrial equipment (city code) - this makes certain that I dont run the power tools constantly or create noise nuisances 4) General nuisance (city code) - this can be used if I make too much noise, fumes, or have lots of foot traffic or vehicle traffic due to my activities. 5) Codes restricting proximity of pilot lights (water heater) to flammables - cant glass or do repairs in the garage where my water heater is. I have had no problems but have a miniscule volume, never run power tools for more that 1 hour and never after 8 pm, and dont do glassing except for repairs. I job out the glassing to the Surfboard Factory in Orange county - great quality and do most of my shaping with hand tools. http://www.concreteanthill.com/spacific.html
Thanks for the feedback, mike, much appreciated!