Legalizing Moveable Tiny Houses
The most common question we get is, "I did not know Tiny Homes were not legal". The answer to this is complicated and has everything to do with what county or city you live in...also knows as jurisdiction. We have tried our best to provide you with as much information, links and definitions that we have gathered on this topic so you have a better understanding.
Please know we are not city or county officials, zoning regulators, licensed contractors or anything else that has an official title.
We are simply people who strongly believe strongly that Moveable Tiny Homes are one of the most efficient and effective answers to affordable housing If there are any questions we have not answered, please reach out to Lindsay at 415-378-8398.
Please know we are not city or county officials, zoning regulators, licensed contractors or anything else that has an official title.
We are simply people who strongly believe strongly that Moveable Tiny Homes are one of the most efficient and effective answers to affordable housing If there are any questions we have not answered, please reach out to Lindsay at 415-378-8398.
Experience Tiny Homes has partnered with American Tiny House Association (ATHA) and is being mentored by Dan Fitzpatrick, Government Relations with the (ATHA) and former County Administrator with the County of Fresno. ATHA is leading the way for legalizing Moveable Tiny Homes in the state of California. ExperienceTinyHomes.org is based in Northern California so it is fitting that we are actively in discussions with cities and counties looking to amend the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance.
What is an ADU? Direct from Google...An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone (i.e., detached) single-family home. ADUs go by many different names throughout the U.S., including accessory apartments, secondary suites, and granny flats. ADUs can be new stand-alone accessory structures.
After traveling around the Southwest on our Spring '19 tour we have become exposed to other counties and cities that have Tiny Home villages and are inspired by all we've seen. Below is a brief list of Tiny Home communities that we have personally visited but by no means is it exhaustive of all tiny homes. The non-profit that is working on gathering this data is https://searchtinyhousevillages.com/
In California, one of the most significant initiatives to support is amending the state approved Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance to allow for Moveable Tiny Homes. With this type of ordinance amendment, there are three beneficiaries:
1) Land owners that have the option to place a Tiny Homes legally in their backyard can earn additional rental income or simply house a friend or family member.
2) Tiny Home owners will be safe to live full time in their Tiny Home with reduced land rents than a typical larger house.
3) The City or County receives permit fees for the Tiny Home
One of the mentors who taught us about the amendment to the ADU is Dan Fitzpatrick, Dan has Below are two slides that best represent the issue at hand
What is an ADU? Direct from Google...An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone (i.e., detached) single-family home. ADUs go by many different names throughout the U.S., including accessory apartments, secondary suites, and granny flats. ADUs can be new stand-alone accessory structures.
After traveling around the Southwest on our Spring '19 tour we have become exposed to other counties and cities that have Tiny Home villages and are inspired by all we've seen. Below is a brief list of Tiny Home communities that we have personally visited but by no means is it exhaustive of all tiny homes. The non-profit that is working on gathering this data is https://searchtinyhousevillages.com/
In California, one of the most significant initiatives to support is amending the state approved Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance to allow for Moveable Tiny Homes. With this type of ordinance amendment, there are three beneficiaries:
1) Land owners that have the option to place a Tiny Homes legally in their backyard can earn additional rental income or simply house a friend or family member.
2) Tiny Home owners will be safe to live full time in their Tiny Home with reduced land rents than a typical larger house.
3) The City or County receives permit fees for the Tiny Home
One of the mentors who taught us about the amendment to the ADU is Dan Fitzpatrick, Dan has Below are two slides that best represent the issue at hand
