This post contains affiliate links.
I wanted to thank Joe M. for the tip for this announcement that the city of Brainerd in Minnesota has changed its zoning code to allow for the construction of small homes.
This includes studio/efficiency apartments as little as 350 square feet and small houses as little as 500 square feet.
Although so far, since the change, no developers have approached the city with plans to build a small house. But I believe that will change soon enough.
Previously the minimum square footage requirement was 750 square feet. But in certain lots you’re now allowed to build smaller.
Related: Amazingly Functional 240 Sq. Ft. Micro Apartment in NYC
City Adjusts Zoning to Allow Small Houses
Read the original story/article here for more details.
Help us spread the word on how the city of Brainerd, Minnesota is allowing more small housing and who knows.. It might inspire even more cities to do the same. Use the buttons below to share on your Facebook, Twitter or via Email.
If you enjoyed this story you’ll LOVE our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with even more!
Related: London Approves Tiny Shipping Container Housing
This post contains affiliate links.
Alex
Latest posts by Alex (see all)
- Escape eBoho eZ Plus Tiny House for $39,975 - April 9, 2024
- Shannon’s Tiny Hilltop Hideaway in Cottontown, Tennessee - April 7, 2024
- Winnebago Revel Community: A Guide to Forums and Groups - March 25, 2024
Brainerd is in Minnesota. Minneapolis is a city, not a state!
Wow. My bad! Fixed it. Thank you!!
Brainerd is in Minnesota, not Minneapolis. 🙂
Thanks Tracy, fixed it, wasn’t all there I guess LOL
Alex, like that My Bad thing. I’m in Australia and the other day I looked up minimum floor area, I also phoned a building inspector and there’s no minimum floor space here, you can build as small as you like.
LOL thanks for making me feel better David
I’m going to have to get used to the my bad thing, it’s been around a little bit i know, but Im going to have to just ease into it…practice saying it to myself walking around for a while..but the only thing is I smile whenever I say it. Not good…
This is great news. For now that is. I’m so glad to see a city come around to small housing units but I fear that the good of the small housing movement will be undone by greed. I fear that once it gets underway by developers that you will see hugh high rental prices per square foot. Eventually this will force people into super small units at super hugh prices and may leave them worse off than they are now. New York rental prices come to mind.
Current owner builders can now accomplish their goals but I think that once this gets commercialized the greed for profit will take over. When government gets its foot into anything the cost goes up. It will then no longer be for the good of the people but just more government control and gouging. I really hope not but…..
Tim
Tim, I agree with everything you have said and it is so true and even if you have a builder help you build it, that, this might go to their heads. I try to trust that it won’t. I am disabled and I have a small house I want to build, but I will need a builder.
Who exactly would you have to go to, to see what the minimum size a house would be in lets say a county near Park Rapids, MN. Living outside the city limits is cheaper, and better than living inside a city limits.
This IS exciting. Brainerd is my hometown, relatives and all. I grew up there, went to school, 1st – 12th and 3 years of College. I and my Sis currently live approx. 20 miles away, but looking to getting back. I would be one of the first to apply for that permit.
Who knew BRAINERD would be a hot bed of future Tiny Houser’s? Bahahahahaaaaa! I lived in Brainerd for two solid years while going to Uni, back in the 80’s, and all I remember is the Holiday Inn bar and I think the Red Velvet Lounge, where we, “The Jail Bait Girls”, would have randy business men on convention, buy us Screwdrivers. LOL
Honestly, I couldn’t tell you if Brainerd has become more or less progressive than it was; it was such a backwater town on the way to Eli and Thunder Bay that it was just a place for most people to pass through. Good for Brainerd if it’s become more hip; it needs more than fishing for the economy, that’s for sure.
Wanted to add, “Now if Edina or Minnetonka did this, that would REALLY be cause to celebrate!”
Alex, I’m going to make you a t-shirt featuring the “Great State of Minneapolis!” ~wink-wink~
Hello, looking for help. I am disabled, three major back surgeries, and am looking for designs/contractors who specialize in “tiny home” designs in Minnesota. I would like to build a small home, trailer or standard in lower Minn. area for a easy to live with price tag. I currently live in Fla. and wish to downsize, and move close to family for an easy to live with price. As mentioned, limited funding due to disabilities. Can you help. any ideas? Thanks!!
David Cunningham, hi …… I sure hope you can find that help, as I am disabled also, and I have a house plan that I want to build . I just need to know what it would cost to do it. I need this so bad. I need to be close to medical help, and good DR”S.
I am moving to MN within the year and very interested in a tiny house, where to get it built and if it can be parked in Ham Lake where my daughter lives..