Many folks are exploring the concept of tiny house communities,
especially with the opportunity to work with amenable neighbors on
developing a small cluster community along a shared property
boundary.
Many counties consider tiny houses on wheels (THOWs) to be
recreational vehicles (RVs) and they prohibit living full-time in RVs on
residential neighborhoods, agricultural land, and even properly
approved campgrounds.
Going with a conventional foundation may be an option, though you’ll
likely have to have the property zoned with a variance for multiple
residences. Requesting permission for this on adjoining properties
could complicate concerns for many reasons. Shifting from the tiny
house on wheels scenario can cut the cost on of multiple trailers,
though its likely you’ll spend much more for proper permitting.
As mentioned in a prior post on How to Legally Live in a Tiny House,
there is great potential to present a community development plan to
your county. Given the trend to build, buy, or dwell in smaller
homes, this may be a good time to approach your local municipality and
cooperatively explore the development of a tiny house community or
eco-village approach to communal living.
When it comes to presenting your plan, mentioning “affordable
housing” may have negative connotations in some areas, where being
“mission minded” provides a sense of long-term buy-in from
residences. If your goal is to develop a small, tight knit community, seek
formality in the relationship that shows the county you mean
business. Having a goal of building a community is a greater benefit to
zoning officials than suggesting you want to build what they may think
of as a trashy trailer park in the making.
Just sharing my thoughts. Be sure to check out the Village Collaborative
for lots of great ideas for community building, and feel free to call and
discuss your thoughts for green-built structures that will give your
community a solid and sustainable foundation.
Wishing you all the best!
Live Large — Go Tiny!
Thom Stanton
