Yurt Questions
How long does a yurt typically last?
The wood frame of the Pacific Yurt can give you a lifetime of use with minimal but regular maintenance on the exterior parts. We offer several fabrics to choose from for the yurt’s outer covers. All of the fabrics used by Pacific Yurts have been carefully chosen for their cleanability, durability and longevity. For instance, our standard side cover is made of an acrylic coated polyester fabric that has proven to be superior to heavier polyester/cotton blend fabrics. Our standard fabric covers average life has been ten to twelve years. Our premium top cover has a 15 year manufacturer’s material warranty but typically lasts twenty years or more.
Your company has always been and continues to be a pleasure to work with. I am amazed at the quality of the product you produce and the efforts you go to satisfy your customers. This has not changed in the 9 years I’ve been privileged to work with you, which is a wonderful thing to encounter in this day and age. Thank you and best wishes until the next order.
Once again we are living through a challenging Minnesota winter in our nearly eleven year old yurt, and doing terrific. Thank you once again for this lovely dwelling. The yurt really needs little of the upkeep that other structures need. Even the huge snowfalls we get just slide off the roof, while our neighbors are shoveling off their roofs.
What kind of security does a yurt offer?

Who installs the yurt?

I’m a computer guy with little or no construction experience or talent. Assembly was straightforward and the manual was clear and concise.
Installing it was really fun. We were really pleased with the directions; their simplicity, completeness and clarity. They were the best directions I’ve ever seen.
Can commercial graphics be added to the yurt?
Commercial users of the Pacific Yurt often want to display graphics or their logo on the yurt. Or maybe they have sponsors with logos that need to be displayed. There are two options offered by Pacific Yurts for displaying graphics or logos. One is a banner system, which is a framework built into the top cover (roof) of the yurt where a banner mounts. The banner laces in, so if the logo or graphics need to be changed periodically, you simply remove the old one and lace in a new banner!
Graphics can be added to the front of our door canopy as well. This canopy is much like a storefront awning, attaches to the door frame and is available with backlighting to keep your name highly visible any time of day or night.
Heating & Cooling
Important Note: The installation of all utilities or heaters should meet the manufacturer’s installation standards and any applicable building code requirements.
What is the best way to cool the yurt?

How do I heat the yurt?
Most conventional methods of heating will work in a Pacific Yurt. Our customers have used wood stoves, pellet stoves, propane stoves, central heating, electric heaters and even radiant floor heating. If using central heating or a heat pump, ductwork can be installed under the floor of the yurt. When using a vented stove we recommend venting it through the sidewall of the yurt rather than going through the roof. There are many benefits to venting through the wall, which include easy access to the chimney for regular cleaning, having the chimney away from the yurt’s vinyl top cover (to minimize the soot that falls onto the roof) and keeping an open floor plan. (You can plan the interior space how you wish and not have to plan around the stove location.) Every Pacific Yurt comes with instructions on how to vent the stove. It is important to size your heat source according to the size of the yurt as well as your climate. It is a good idea to install our reflective insulation in cold climates in order to retain the heat. Customers with numerous windows in cold areas can increase heat retention by utilizing our insulated window covers. Other items that can add to your cold-weather comfort are a ceiling fan (to circulate the heat inside) and a well insulated platform (floor) complete with skirting.
We have had -15 degrees here in Vermont for about five nights in a row and we have been very warm and the pipes have not frozen. Thanks so much for your wonderful input on how to prepare our home.
We have had high winds, two feet of snow and many days of sub-freezing weather. The yurt took it all in stride and we always felt safe. Your product is everything you promised and I really appreciate the personal service we got. Thanks for the great experience.
Electricity & Plumbing
Important Note: The installation of all utilities or heaters should meet the manufacturer’s installation standards and any applicable building code requirements.
Can electricity be installed?

How do I add lighting?

Can plumbing be added?
Plumbing can easily be brought up through the floor of the yurt. If you wish to add interior partition walls the plumbing can be installed into these walls after being brought through the floor. If your site has plumbing and septic hookups you can use standard fixtures, but in remote areas people often use composting toilets and alternative gray water systems. Consult with a local plumber for more information.
Alternative Energy Options

Platforms & Decks
What is the floor of the Yurt?

Can I add exterior decking?
Any exterior decking should be at least 5″ below the interior floor of the yurt. This allows the yurt’s side cover to hang below floor level and secure to the circular platform. This attachment firmly secures the side cover to the platform and provides a weather tight seal. Some customers choose to build a large exterior deck, then build the raised circular platform for the yurt on top of it. This approach tends to be more expensive than simply building an exterior deck outside the entry area only.
Interior Design
Important Note: We recommend you enlist the help of a licensed building professional for assistance with your project.
Can interior partition walls be added?
Interior partition walls can be added to provide separate bathrooms, bedrooms or kitchen areas. A local carpenter or contractor can easily build these walls into the yurt after it has been erected. The partition walls should be freestanding and not rely on the yurt, but can be connected to the lattice wall or Snow & Wind Kit’s vertical supports. Nothing should be connected to the roof rafters of the yurt, but the interior walls should definitely be anchored to the floor.
How do I add a bathroom?

Can I add a kitchen?

Can my yurt have a loft?

Connecting Yurts
Can yurts be connected?

Shipping
Shipping costs will vary depending on several factors. We’ll be happy to provide a shipping estimate to your location based on which size yurt and features you are considering. More information is available on our Shipping/Picking Up Your Yurt page.
We looked thoroughly at all the other companies and Pacific Yurts was able to get a yurt to us the soonest, with the best quality and experience. It came to us very well packed for shipping. Everything was labeled well and of very good quality. Great job!
Everything was well protected and your packing guys were great about getting everything loaded. Thanks!
Sales and Use Tax Information
PACIFIC YURTS SALES AND USE TAX POLICY: Pacific Yurts is required to collect sales tax on purchases from customers in some states as an out-of-state vendor. Customers in states that we do not collect sales taxes for may be subject to a use tax in that state. It is the customer’s responsibility to report and pay the use tax where required. Customers who are exempt from sales tax must provide Pacific Yurts with the appropriate exemption certificate to avert the collection of sales tax.
SALES TAX DISCLOSURE: A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision changed the law on when states and local jurisdictions may impose tax on sales by out-of-state vendors. Some jurisdictions are now considering whether and how to impose taxes on sales by out-of-state vendors. Because Pacific Yurts cannot know in advance what, if anything, your jurisdiction will do in this regard, we may not be collecting tax on the transaction at the time of sale. However, we reserve the right to add sales tax if required by your state.
USE TAX DISCLOSURE: Pacific Yurts is not required to, and does not, collect sales or use tax on yurts or yurt accessories picked up at our Oregon facility. However, we may be required to disclose a purchaser’s contact information if there is a use tax obligation in their state.
WASHINGTON USE TAX DISCLOSURE: Under Washington law, purchases are not tax-exempt merely because a seller is not required to collect Washington’s tax. Washington law requires Washington purchasers to review untaxed purchases and, if any tax is owed, file a Washington use tax return and pay any tax due. Visit dor.wa.gov/consumerusetax for more information.
Building Codes
How do yurts fit into building codes?
Pacific Yurts are very versatile structures that can be used for a wide variety of applications. Variables such as the size and use of the yurt as well as the individual site can help determine if the yurt will require a permit and what type of permit may be needed. Building code requirements can vary greatly and yurts do not always fit neatly into just one category within the code books. In some cases the yurt has been considered a temporary structure, while in others it has been considered a permanent or semi-permanent structure. The yurt is often classified as an auxiliary building, studio or recreational structure. A yurt may have to meet requirements in the areas of snow load, seismic rating, wind speed and fire safety, but these are dependent on location. Other requirements like egress and occupancy are dependent on the use of the yurt. For specific information on building codes in your area contact your local planning or building official and provide them with our suggested platform plans, snow and wind load ratings, and flame certificates.
Structural engineering has been performed on the prototype Pacific Yurt (to determine their design snow and wind load capacities based on Uniform Building Code and International Building Code structural standards) and is available for assistance in permitting if needed. In some cases your local building official may require site-specific engineering with a “wet stamp”. If so, you will need to hire an engineer licensed in your state, who can incorporate our calculations into the site-specific plan. We may be able to put you in contact with an engineer that can help. Our Snow and Wind options have been designed to enhance structural capability while maintaining the top quality and aesthetics we are known for. If your yurt will need to meet a specific snow load requirement for your area it is best to find out what that snow load is prior to ordering. In most cases you can find out more about your local requirements here or here.
The Pacific Yurt is very well engineered. It has easily withstood two feet of snow (with rain) without difficulty. The set up manual is splendid; easy to follow and understand. The quality of materials and the construction of the parts are outstanding. The door and its frame are superb with the beautiful brass fittings and high quality hardware.
I was most impressed with the strength and snow load capacity of the yurt which along with its spacious and aesthetically pleasing interior provided ample warmth, comfort and all around enjoyment to our back country ski experience.
Care and Maintenance
As with any quality product, there are maintenance recommendations that should be observed to get the longest possible functional life from your fabric covers. Complete information on care and maintenance for our yurts is available here.