Stop Work Order Issued to Children Building Igloo Without Permit

TAKOMA PARK, MD – A group of local children building an igloo were issued an immediate stop work order Tuesday after Montgomery County officials responded to anonymous online complaints that the igloo violated multiple development standards, none of which the children had read or could legally understand.

According to the county, the unpermitted structure – constructed by two children in their front yard – failed to comply with Takoma Park’s Tree Protection Plan, Montgomery County’s Accessory Igloo Unit (AIU) regulations, and many other building codes.

“We support creativity, winter play, and childhood joy,” said a county spokesperson, standing in front of the half-finished igloo with a clipboard. “But once snow is stacked vertically, it becomes a structure. And once it becomes a structure, it becomes our business.”

Takoma Park officials noted that the igloo was located within 50 feet of a tree, potentially threatening its critical root zone with snow compaction. The children were instructed to submit a revised site plan showing the igloo relocated to another area, preferably somewhere not in Takoma Park.

Further complicating matters, the igloo’s height became a major issue. Under current regulations, any igloo over three feet tall must include a structural engineering stamp certifying that the snow load will not collapse during “anticipated warming events, emotional meltdowns, or sibling conflict.”

“At no point did these children provide a stamped drawing from a licensed architect or engineer,” said one county inspector. “One of them said, ‘We’re just trying to have some fun.’ I’m sorry, Billy, but there’s nothing fun about structural deficiencies.”

Stormwater management was also a significant concern. Officials warned that eventual igloo melt could result in uncontrolled runoff, sending water downslope in an unapproved manner.

“Where does the water go when this melts?” asked an official. “Into the watershed? Onto a sidewalk? Into the unplowed streets where it will create even more ice for us to add to the backlog?”

When reached for comment, the children were unavailable, having abandoned the project and gone inside to play on their phones. County code enforcement officials, however, confirmed the matter had been escalated to the Department of Housing after it was discovered the igloo did not comply with recently enacted rent control laws, nor had the children cleared a 3 foot wide path through the snow leading to the entrance by Tuesday’s deadline.