A Tiny Home Is NOT A Tiny House
Samuel W. Albrecht, Director of Regulatory Oversight for Colorado DOLA just sent out a very helpful document to clarify the new rulemaking for tiny homes on a chassis that can be hooked up to utilities and lived in full-time as a residence.
Colorado distinguishes a difference between a tiny house and tiny home.
What Is A Tiny Home?
Effective July 1, 2023, the state uses the following definition for the construction of a tiny home. A tiny home means a structure that:
- Is permanently constructed on a vehicle chassis
- Is designed for long-term residency
- Includes electrical, mechanical, or plumbing services that are fabricated, formed, or assembled at a location other than the site of the completed home
- Is not self-propelled
- Has square footage of 400 square feet or less
- Has a metal plate insignia installed under the kitchen sink by the Division of Housing
What a tiny home is not:
- A manufactured home as defined in C.R.S. 24-32-3302(20)
- A recreational park trailer
- A recreational vehicle
- A semitrailer
- An intermodal shipping container
In order to meet this definition, a tiny home must be built to the International Residential Code as adopted by the Building Codes & Standards program within the Division of Housing. Colorado tiny homes will receive a metal plate insignia that certifies the tiny home is built to the codes and standards of the program. When installed on a temporary or permanent foundation, the tiny home will also receive a metal plate installation insignia.
What Is A Tiny House?
A tiny house is a modular factory built residential structure that is 400 square feet or less; designed for long-term occupancy; built to the International Residential Code; and attached to a permanent foundation. They are not built on a permanent chassis. Tiny houses have been allowed by the Division of Housing for several years. Tiny houses will have a metal plate insignia that certify the tiny house is built to the codes and standards of the program. When installed on a permanent foundation, the tiny house will also receive a metal plate installation insignia.
What Is A. Recreational Vehicle?
- Designed for mobility, NOT for permanent year-round occupancy, and thus has limited occupancy safety standards.
- Either a camp trailer (less than 26 feet long) or a Trailer Coach (26 feet to 70 feet long). Maximum of 8.5 feet wide and 14.5 feet tall.
- Permanently affixed to a chassis with axles and/or wheels.
- Could be constructed to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 119 Construction Standards or other standards that are currently self-certified through the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) or other non-governmental body.
DOLA FAQ
Contact Samuel Albrecht For More Questions
Related Posts
New Colorado Rule-Making For Tiny Homes On A Chassis
Expected Implementation Effective July 1st. 2023
Administrative Rulemaking Hearing incorporating HB22-1242 (Tiny Homes and other changes to factory built structures)
Sam Albrecht, the Director Of The Office Of Regulatory Oversight sent an update on the Colorado rule-making for tiny homes on May 2, 2023 and shared additional changes to the proposed rules.
These changes have been developed through the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) process. The TAC is made up of 15 individuals representing local building departments, manufacturers, sellers, installers, tiny homes, organized labor, and the construction industry. These rules are being presented to the State Housing Board as required by section 24-32-33 C.R.S.
Tiny House Alliance USA Editor
June 14, 2023
The Future Of Tiny Is Now!
Janet Thome Founder And President
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