During the discussions with El Paso County Commissioners on Tuesday the industry shared some interesting concepts for how these tiny homes are being clustered into highly efficient communities elsewhere and how they might play a role in addressing the need for more workforce housing in El Paso County.2
Living Tiny Legally is a documentary by Tiny House Expedition.
It’s a 3 part series (you can watch Part 1 and Part 2 for FREE below).
And if you’d like, you can help fund Part 3 right here.
Images © Tiny House Expedition/YouTube
The answer is, not really! The truth is that tiny houses on wheels and RV’s parked on residential properties are simply being tolerated while parked on residential property in Portland, Oregon for the time being.
In other words, they’re de-prioritizing code enforcement in these cases because changing the law is complicated (so this is a temporary solution for tiny dwellers in Portland). Please learn more, see what you may be able to do to help, and spread the word below. Thanks!
Will Other Cities Do The Same Thing and ‘Tolerate Tiny’?
This is a quick announcement because we need your help to stop tiny houses from becoming illegal per the fed’s new HUD proposal regarding recreational vehicles.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is proposing to make changes to the Code of Federal Regulations Part 3282 docket FR-5877-P-01 which covers Manufactured Home Procedural and Enforcement Regulations (as well as Revision of Exemption for Recreational Vehicles). We believe this includes tiny houses on wheels.
So I’m inviting you to speak up by leaving your thoughts and comments over at the Regulations.gov website for this proposal. Hundreds already have, but if you have a moment, we need you to speak up, too! Here’s the link.
This proposal defines recreational vehicles, “designed only for recreational use and not as a primary residence or for permanent occupancy.”
Need Your Help to Stop Tiny Houses from being Illegal!
It’s encouraging to see that the small town of Spur, Texas (population 1,088) has announced that they are welcoming tiny houses as supposedly declared by their mayor, Manuel Herrera.
But let’s clear this up right here right now. We are getting somewhere. But you might be a little disappointed to learn the truth here as explored by Andrew Odom of Tiny r(E)volution below. Are tiny houses on trailers easily permitted? We’re not sure.
But it is very clear that creatively simple and safe tiny homes on foundations are welcome with open arms. We’re just not sure about the ones on wheels. Although I personally don’t see why not. But have a read for yourself below. Either way, I’m convinced this is good news for the tiny house movement. What do you think?
Related: Man Legally Living in 84 Sq. Ft. Tiny House in Spur, Texas
City of Spur America’s 1st Tiny House Friendly Town?
Image © Barclay Gibson
In this post I’m introducing you to Jay Austin and his ‘Matchbox’ tiny home on wheels in Washington, D.C.’s Boneyard Studios.
According to the video, more than 1000 people decide to move into the area every single month therefore driving the cost of housing up and increasing construction in the area.
And even though they’re building as fast as they can, they still can’t keep up with the demand for housing in the area. So where do tiny houses stand?
Meet Jay Austin and His 140 Sq. Ft. Tiny Home
Enjoy the rest of the story (in video) below:
Part of the problems most of us face with tiny housing is that there are laws and zoning that prevent most of us from achieving our tiny dreams because we’re forced to build larger than we really need.
In many cases, we’ve found our own ‘loopholes’ that have allowed many of us to live tiny on our own terms.
But why do we sometimes have to feel that we are living in a ‘grey area’ when we’re not hurting or endangering anyone by living simply?
So if you’re thinking about petitioning your local government to allow the construction of tiny homes here are some tips that might help you get started (and a petition that you can sign really quick to start encouraging change right now).
Tips on how to Petition for Making Tiny Houses Legal from Jay Shafer
“Hi guys. I just finally signed your petition and forwarded it to some other folks.
I haven’t had the time to see what legal strategy you’re already employing, but I’ll offer my unsolicited 2-cents anyway.
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
It’s been a while since I discussed the issues of tiny house zoning, codes, and communities.
And asked the question, “can you actually live tiny legally?”
This post will give you my ideas when it comes to legally living tiny, creating communities, and opportunities in the tiny house world.
You’ll also get to read an email from a reader who asked some really great questions (he’s a land use planner).
Please don’t miss other exciting tiny homes – join our FREE Tiny House Newsletter!
Legally Living in Tiny Houses
“I am curious about the “tiny house” as a legitimate, full time housing option…do they/can they…meet building codes, be attached to the ground, be connected to public water, sewer, and other public utilities, meet energy code standards, meet zoning codes, etc.”
I urge you to read more about legally living tiny, creating communities and even opportunities below:
