''“An Act To Allow People To Live in Tiny Homes as a Primary or Accessory Dwelling”
Maine LD1530- Super Advocate Corinne Watson just announced breaking news for tiny houses. ”LD1530 “An Act To Allow People To Live in Tiny Homes as a Primary or Accessory Dwelling” has officially passed in the House of Representatives and will now go to the Senate where it is expected to pass. Once passed there it will go to the Governor for signing and become a law’.
Maine LD1530
An Act To Allow People To Live in Tiny Homes as a Primary orAccessory Dwelling
Presented by Representative McCREA of Fort Fairfield.
Cosponsored by Senator MAXMIN of Lincoln andRepresentatives:
COLLINGS of Portland, GERE of Kennebunkport, McCREIGHT ofHarpswell, MILLETT of Cape Elizabeth,
O’NEIL of Saco, PLUECKER of Warren,
TALBOT ROSS of Portland, WARREN of Hallowell.
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2021Legislative Document No. 1530H.P. 1134 House of Representatives, April 19, 2021
An Act To Allow People To Live in Tiny Homes as a Primary or Accessory Dwelling Received by the Clerk of the House on April 15, 2021. Referred to the Committee on State and Local Government pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
30-A MRSA §4301, sub-§14-D is enacted to read:
14-D. Tiny home. “Tiny home” has the same meaning as in Title 9-A, section 101,
C.subsection 80-C. Sec. 2. 30-A MRSA §4363 is enacted to read:
§4363. Tiny homes
Tiny homes. Regulation of tiny homes is governed by this section.
This section does not prohibit municipalities from establishing controls on tiny homes that are less restrictive than are permitted by this section.
Location of tiny homes.
A municipality shall allow a tiny home to be placed or 11erected as a primary structure in a number of locations on an undeveloped house lot where a single-family dwelling is allowed or as a primary or accessory structure on property that already contains a structure. No more than one tiny home may be placed on a lot unless
the combined square footage of multiple tiny homes does not exceed 400 square feet.
A municipality may reduce the setback requirements for a tiny home from those required for a single-family home.
Municipal inspection. A tiny home may be placed on a property for 180 days without an inspection under this subsection.
A tiny home may be used as a dwelling.
A tiny home may be but is not required to be connected to a utility, including an electric service, a water service or, if the tiny home is connected to water service, a wastewater sewer or septic system of an adjoining structure.
A municipality may inspect the following for a tiny home;
A. That the tiny home meets the requirements of Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 2480-C;25
B. That the tiny home is placed on a stable surface, ground or footing;
C. Any utility connection to the tiny home; and
D. If a tiny home is connected to a water service, all rules and requirements relating to wastewater.
Municipal design criteria. A municipality may establish design criteria for tiny 30homes, including a pitched, shingled roof and exterior siding or other exterior features that are residential in appearance, unless:
A. The criteria have the effect of circumventing the purposes of this section; and
B. The criteria are used to prevent the relocation of a tiny home that is legally sited as of January 1st, 2021.
Property tax. A municipality may assess for and collect the tax under Title 36, Part 2 for a tiny home that is:
A. Affixed to the property, including by way of a utility connection:
B. In a state of completeness or permanency; and39
C. Located on the property for more than 180 days.
Summary
This bill establishes standards for municipalities to follow regarding tiny homes, which are structures no larger than 400 square feet constructed on a frame or chassis and designed for use as permanent living quarters. The bill allows municipalities to set rules for tiny homes that are less restrictive than state law, allows tiny homes on undeveloped and developed housing lots, allows municipal inspection of certain features of tiny homes and provides for tiny homes.
