Sitka Alaska Applies Appendix Q To Tiny Houses On Wheels

Groundbreaking Ordinance Passed: Effective March 11th, 2020

Sitka, Alaska passed an ordinance at the second and final reading for ORD 20-02S (A) at a vote of 6 to 0 and is a great win for tiny houses on wheels. Sitka, Alaska has approved tiny houses on a foundation, but what is groundbreaking is they have written an ordinance that amends Appendix Q that applies to tiny houses on wheels. From the floor joists up, the tiny home will be built to the IRC Appendix Q Tiny House.

The chassis on which a tiny house is placed or constructed, including all components attached to the chassis, shall be of adequate structural strength to resist all dead and live loads imposed upon it and/or required by applicable safety standards. The Building Official may require third-party certification to ascertain compliance with this section.

Both tiny homes on a foundation and tiny homes on wheels will require a building permit and will be subject to inspection during construction. Legal Classification: Tiny House On A Chassis somewhat of a hybrid standard, built to local building codes, though Sitka created their own classification which allows for full-time living with conditions. The trailer will need to be registered at the DMV for transport purposes and the trailer should be structurally rated to support the load which is placed upon.

Appendix Q Tiny House

Appendix Q Tiny House was adopted into the 2018 International Residential Code ( IRC ) building code to provide regulations and standards for tiny homes on a foundation that is 400 square feet or less

Appendix Q relaxes various requirements in the body of the code as they apply to tiny houses that are 400 square feet or less.

Attention is specifically paid to features such as compact stairs, including handrails and headroom, ladders, reduced ceiling heights in lofts, and guard and emergency escape and rescue opening requirements of lofts.

The International Residential Code is a comprehensive, stand-alone residential code that creates minimum regulations for one-and two-family dwellings of three stories or less.

The IRC brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel, gas, energy, and electrical for provisions for one-and two-family residences. Appendix Q was adopted to the IRC building code standards through the ICC Code Development Process.

Sitka Leads The Way With Tiny House Law

By HENRY COLT
Sentinel Staff Writer
After four months, three Planning Commission sessions, three first readings by the Assembly, and nearly one hundred phone calls made by Planning Department Special Projects Manager Scott Brylinsky, the Assembly Tuesday night passed the ordinance that makes tiny homes a viable living option in Sitka. Janet Thome, Tiny Home Industry Association liaison and media coordinator based in Washington, told the Sentinel today that this may be the first of its kind in local codes regarding tiny homes.

Source Daily Sitka Sentinal

Special Thanks To The Sitka, Alaska Planning Department Special Projects Manager Scott Brylinsky For Crafting This Groundbreaking Ordinance

Tiny House Alliance USA Editor
The Future Of Tiny Is Now!
Janet Thome Founder And President
janet@tinyhouseallianceusa.org
509 345 2013
Founder Of Tiny Portable Cedar Cabins