Tiny houses outlawed where they are most needed
By Maegan Carberry, Salon
While America might be known for its philosophy of expansion, a growing number of citizens are diligently trying to reverse-engineer Manifest Destiny. Much of the focus on people who opt to live in tiny houses is written by gawkers who focus on their chic designs, radical downsizing, and feasibility.
However, living tiny is literally about as close to a grassroots movement as one can get, and proponents are actively engaged in advocacy with local governments to realize their vision of decentralizing materialism. With a groundbreaking proposal to amend the International Residence Code — which is the model code for the majority of residential construction in the United States — submitted by movement leaders last fall, 2017 might be the year that sets up this niche market to go mainstream.
“Tiny House communities or pocket neighborhoods provide the opportunity for closer human connections, sharing and intentional communities, and a release from the ‘work to live’ trap so many of us are ensnared in,” says Cy Englert, who administers the popular online group Tiny House Community.
I’m proud of the STPUD staff and board. they are trying to get all the agencies like the county and city to reduce fees and requirements that prohibit affordable mother inlaw size units around our lake. besides cutting our STPUD sewer connection fees by 50% overall we are exploring how we might be able to allow the transfer of sewer units from those who have them and have saved them. in addition we are working on how we might be able to also comply with the California legislature and governors bill that requires cities and counties to expedite and eliminate fees on affordable housing. TRPA evidently has an exemption but might be able to be convinced to also see the benefit to small and young families and seniors who can’t afford to live here. STPUD gets it that government rules regs and fees are the largest roadblock to supply which causes prices to be too high.