The Tiny House Craze: Zoning Laws Could Be A Tiny Impediment

The "tiny house" movement is all the rage right now. The cause of the craze may be many faceted. Whether the popularity and demand is being driven by a shift in peoples' preference to downsize to a more simplified lifestyle (remember Henry David Thoreau's advice to "...simplify, simplify") or whether it is driven by economic factors and the need for more affordable housing, the "tiny house" is becoming more popular and common.

So how will local governments deal with the demand for "tiny houses"? Many, if not most, zoning laws and building codes do not currently contemplate or allow for a "tiny house." Before the "tiny house" could become a viable housing option, therefore, particularly in incorporated towns and municipalities, the zoning regulations and building codes would need to be reviewed and, in many instances, amended to allow for the "tiny house" as an additional housing option.