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Thread: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

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    Default Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living



    As the corporatocracy tightens its grip on the masses – finding ever more ways to funnel wealth to the top – humanity responds in a number of ways, including the rising popularity of tiny houses.

    These dwellings, typically defined as less than 500 square feet, are a way for people to break free of mortgages, taxes, utility bills and the general trappings of “stuff.” They’re especially attractive to millennials and retirees, or those seeking to live off-grid.

    But government and corporations depend on rampant consumerism and people being connected to the grid.

    Seeking actual freedom through minimalist living should seem like a natural fit for the American Dream, but the reality is that many governments around the country either ban tiny homes or force them to be connected to the utility grid.

    As of now, few cities allow stand-alone tiny houses. Most communities have minimum square footage requirements for single-family homes mandating that smaller dwellings be an “accessory” to a larger, traditional house. Many also have rules requiring that dwellings be hooked up to utilities, which is a problem for tiny-house enthusiasts who want to live off the grid by using alternative energy sources such as solar panels and rainwater catchment systems.

    Some of the more recent examples of explicit bans include Etowah, TN and Wasilla, AK, which don’t allow homes less than 600 square feet and 700 square feet, respectively.


    Boise, ID doesn’t allow homes less than a few hundred square feet, as Shaun Wheeler of Wheeler Homes found when he built a perfectly good and safe 310 sq. ft. home.

    Lawmakers spout slippery slope fallacies, saying that allowing tiny homes will lead to decay and “unsightly little cabins plunked down next to traditional homes.” Using government force to stamp out societal change in response to financial factors is this councilman’s idea of conservatism.

    Granted, some cities are actually encouraging tiny homes as a means of freedom or as a solution to homelessness, as in Detroit, MI. Some Los Angeles lawmakers don’t see it that way, calling tiny homes for the homeless “a threat in many ways to our public safety.”

    Wasilla residents are baffled by the tiny home ban, which seems to run contrary to Alaska’s wild and free nature. Tundra Tiny Houses is leading a new market of small home construction using renewable energy, and now they’ll have to tell customers Wasilla is not an option, in addition to Anchorage to Eagle River.

    A big priority for tiny home dwellers is their reduced environmental impact. Many are capable of producing all their own energy from solar and wind, collecting rainwater and reusing graywater. Not depending on utility inputs naturally makes a lot of sense, especially for a tiny home on wheels.

    Even those who put their tiny home on a piece of land away from crowded spaces – with the intention of living off-grid through renewable inputs – are considered outlaws if they don’t hook to the utility grid.

    http://www.activistpost.com/2016/11/...le-living.html

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Steilacoom tells ‘tiny house family’ they have 30 days to move out



    The town of Steilacoom has given a family of three living in a 200-square-foot home 30 days to move out or face daily fines up to $1,000.

    In a five-page letter mailed Tuesday, Town Administrator Paul Loveless outlined the town’s position that Peter and Shannon Johnson are in violation of town code by living in the house Peter Johnson built on a trailer with wheels.

    The town classifies the home as a recreational vehicle because of the wheels. Town code does not allow people to live permanently in an RV within the town’s 2-square-mile area, Loveless said.

    The town also takes issue with how the Johnsons handle sewage from the tiny home. Peter Johnson built the home with a holding tank, similar to an RV, and pumps it directly into the town’s sewer system from his property where the tiny house sits.

    That is a violation of town code, Loveless said.

    The Johnsons were out of town and had not seen the letter when a reporter called Friday. After reading a provided copy, the Johnsons emailed a statement saying they were disappointed with the town’s decision and the 30-day notice to move out.

    “This seems especially malicious considering that tiny house zoning conversations are scheduled for the planning commission’s docket,” Peter Johnson wrote.

    More.......

    (Source)

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    I guess they should remove the wheels. They would the city in a loop. (recreational vehicle because of the wheels).
    Remove the wheels!!!!!
    Then vote for another mayor. Get the rules changed.
    Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Last edited by NewFounderHome; 6th November 2016 at 23:49.

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Hello Everyone:
    It appears that people building and moving into "little houses" are trying to get around permits, rules etc. even if it's unintentionaly/ Why not move out into the country instead of trying to be in cities where everyone knows the regulations are unstoppable.
    Country living is much more suited for off the grid living and the regulations are more appealing!
    I really like the idea of "tiny houses" I'm not in need of a home but think they are perfect because you can design them specifically for your own needs.
    I've been planning on building one just because I don't like manufactured trailers and find them much too expensive for what you're getting. "Tiny houses" are exactly what you put into them so you can be as extravagant as you want or as basic as you would like.
    If people would just quit complaining and put "tiny houses" where they are not breaking regulations we wouldn't be having this conversation.
    "Tiny House Nation" proves country living is much more suited for "tiny house" living!
    chancy

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Quote Posted by NewFounderHome (here)
    I guess they should remove the wheels. (recreational vehicle because of the wheels).
    Remove the wheels!!!!!
    Actually, that wouldn't change anything, because you'd still have the axles and the hubs and stuff. So it would still be classified as a mobile home or RV or whatever. To beat that, you'd probably have to remove the home from the trailer and permanently attach it to either a concrete slab or some permanent type of foundation. Once you did that you'd have no choice but to hook up all the utilities and stuff the same as a conventional home.
    I am enlightened, ............ Oh wait. That's just the police shining their spotlights on me.

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    This info will crush my son dreams. He wants to build one!
    I think perhaps if you build them 600 or 700 Sq feet by code that would alleviate most problems. I had a12 by 54 house trailer that felt too small fir a family of 4. I had to sleep in the floor in the living room every night while waiting for our house to be built.
    Taking off the wheels another. Hooking to utilities, doesn't mean you have to use them. We've been hooked to city water for 20+ years and never use it. Have our own water well. Same with electricity. Don't have to use it. Or better yet. Hook up to electric and make them pay you for electricity you make with a solar panel, wind generator, etc.
    Myself, I'd rather just leave the wheels on and license it as a camper. Tow it where I want to live at the moment. Lol
    You can legally camp 21 days at each camp site. (Some say only 2 weeks though) or on your own recreational/hunting property for 29 days of each month, depending on state. If you have children, you might have to check child protection laws on camping limitations of that state or area though.

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    sustainability begins with a global population level in harmony with resource availability
    Last edited by Jupi7er; 18th January 2017 at 20:31.

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Life was better before the tyrants took over the government. The indians didn't have to deal with these issues, nor the pioneers. What would have happened in an old west town if the mayor tried this on those people? People didn't put up with the nonsense back then, nor should they. I remember the phrase hands off government, can we go back to that?

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Where there is a will, there is a way.
    Try doing a search for 'tiny home laws (add your state here)'
    http://americantinyhouseassociation....e-regulations/
    http://noahcertified.org/
    Evolve is love (spelled backwards.)

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Nevada is not a bad state for Tiny Homes. There is quite a lot of mobile and pre-manafactured homes all over in far remote places. Every state has different laws and zoning

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Super High Tech Off-Grid Tiny House for Sustainable Living | Net Zero Energy Home
    11/8/19
    Exploring Alternatives

    "This is a full tour of a super innovative net zero tiny house that is 100% solar powered! It has a roof made of integrated solar panels and an atmospheric water generator prototype. It’s insulated with vacuum insulated panels, it has a home automation system, a sliding loft, and more!

    The Northern Nomad tiny home was designed and built by a group of students from Carleton University. In this video, we’re meeting up with the professor and 4 students who worked on this high tech green building project to get a full tour, and find out more."
    Each breath a gift...
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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Off-The-Grid Desert Living in a Tiny Earthen Home & Permaculture Community
    (I love this hobbity home and the intentional, sustainable community it is part of.)
    Living Big In A Tiny House
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    "In this weeks video we travel to the Californian desert and the tiny earthen home of natural builders Sasha and John. The desert landscape can be harsh and unforgiving and building homes for this environment can be an interesting challenge. If you enjoy our videos, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/livingbig

    This amazing tiny natural home is completely off the grid and has been constructed using a variety of earthen building techniques, including cob, wattle and daub and earth bag construction. It's DIY construction from natural materials makes this a long lasting and affordable housing solution.

    Find out more about this tiny house and others on our website: https://www.livingbiginatinyhouse.com...

    This beautiful earthen home is one of many such dwellings located at the Quail Springs permaculture community in California. The permaculture community is home to educators, farmers, natural builders and people who are dedicated to regenerative, alternative living.

    You can find out more about Sasha and John's work via their website at https://www.earthenshelter.com

    You can also learn more about the Quail Springs community here: https://www.quailsprings.org

    Sasha and John are currently fundraising for an attempt to legalize these forms of building. You can support their efforts here: http://www.quailsprings.org/donate "
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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Tiny Homes for Camp Fire Survivors, From Destruction to Hope
    Nov 23, 2019
    Tiny House Expedition

    "Community hero Alyssa Nolan-Cain, builds tiny houses, with donations and volunteers, for those who lost everything in the Camp Fire. It was California’s most destructive and deadly fire, destroying 14,000 homes. Over, 1,000 families still haven’t been able to secure even temporary housing. Alyssa felt called to help in a big way.

    Her tragic experience of losing her own home in a fire 11 years ago, inspired her to organize this tiny house building and giving effort. Now she leads a group of dedicated volunteers is building fully-functional tiny homes on wheels for Camp Fire Survivors—over 500 people are currently on the waiting list. To date, they’ve given away 8 tiny houses on wheels with several more under construction.

    Though Alyssa had no construction knowledge, she has built a growing community of volunteers and donors. Bringing together individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based groups to build safe tiny homes for those in dire need. "


    ( For those living in fire prone areas of California, tiny homes seem like a good alternative, but the odds of escaping from fires will still depend largely on how much notice to evacuate the public is given, and what kind of escape routes are available.
    The chances that traffic jams and inaccessible roads would still be very high in case of fire, so chances of successfully towing a tiny home out of a dangerous area with little notice would still be iffy. )
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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    This house is pretty tiny, and has been here as long as I can remember. I don't think it's getting banned any time soon.
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    The only place a perfect right angle ever CAN be, is the mind.

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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Old, stationary brick homes most likely with a basement/foundation do not qualify as "tiny homes" as the term is being used currently to describe homes that are movable, lightweight, and generally smaller than 500 square feet.
    Perhaps the brick home was meant as a joke, but the topic of tiny homes is actually pretty serious, as so many people cannot afford to build traditional homes these days, or simply choose not to because of the way it chains them to mortgage payments, to staying in one place permanently, etc.
    And serious because of the way the powers that be are trying hard to prevent people from using tiny homes as a life- saving way of escaping the Matrix.
    For those living in hazardous areas such as Northern California, it may be a matter of life and death.
    So I guess I don't see the point of the joke, if that's what it is.
    Quote Posted by gord (here)
    This house is pretty tiny, and has been here as long as I can remember. I don't think it's getting banned any time soon.
    Attachment 41908
    Last edited by onawah; 26th November 2019 at 05:51.
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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Tiny House Life in Lockdown 🔒
    Apr 2, 2020
    Living Big In A Tiny House
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    "How are people who live in tiny houses dealing with self-isolation?! In this video, we reached out to people who we have featured on the show in the past to catch up and see how they are coping with life in lockdown in their tiny homes.

    With countries closing their borders and many international flights cancelled, Rasa and I cut our Australia trip short to return to New Zealand. As with all international travellers, we were placed in self-isolation upon returning home.

    We have now been in self-isolation for the past two weeks and since returning home, New Zealand (along with many other countries around the world) has gone into total lockdown. The lockdown means that all non-essential businesses are closed and everyone is asked to stay at home and practice social distancing.

    Self Isolation is something that we all need to take really seriously. Covid-19 threatens many lives across the globe and it's important that we are all thinking of each other, and keeping ourselves, our loved ones and our communities safe.

    We hope to bring you as much great content as possible to do our part and help to keep you entertained and bursting with tiny house ideas while we are all in lockdown / isolation.

    I hope you enjoy this episode and insight into life in lockdown for the tiny house people of the world! "
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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    One of my favorite tiny homes (among many)...
    Woman's Dream Tiny House Even Has A Walk-In Wardrobe
    Jan 18, 2019

    Living Big In A Tiny House
    3.05M subscribers

    "This amazing tiny house may look like a dollhouse, but it's no toy! It's a fully featured tiny home on wheels that even has a walk in wardrobe.Dolly’s tiny house on wheels is the perfect example of what can happen when you specifically design a home to your needs. She has really taken advantage of her height and designed a home where she can stand in her loft and create an additional room downstairs which gives her plenty of space for a walk-in wardrobe, a true tiny house luxury!

    Read More: https://www.livingbiginatinyhouse.com...

    Everywhere you look her home is customised to her unique style. It’s colourful, vibrant and fun while still being a very well designed and comfortable home. Stepping inside Dolly’s home felt uplifting, from the wonderful colours, the beautiful plants and decorations and the brownies baking in the oven, everything about this house just felt like home.

    I hope you enjoy the full video tour of this very special tiny house on wheels. "
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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    Here in the uk there is a trend for the homeless to live in converted white vans because folks with camper vans are not allowed to just park up anywhere and will get moved on. This white van converted into a tiny home is inspirational.


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    Default Re: Tiny Homes Banned In U.S. At Increasing Rate As Govt Criminalizes Sustainable Living

    I made sure to get a part of our city dedicated to alternative home types a few years ago, Tiny Homes included. There was a lot of resistance to shifting the zoning of established neighborhoods, but the city planners were open to opening certain parts of town generally on the outskirts to more experimental home types. I realize this is unusual but it was a confluence of change makers and open-minded urban planners that allowed it to happen here. There has to be buy-in from the planning department or it will stall out until those elected officials who bring it to the table leave office. Then it's gone. And even if it is still on the books, if nobody actually keeps it at the forefront and demands compliance, many planning departments will actually refuse to do what they're told, believing as they do that elected officials come and go, but those who work for the city actually are the ones who really make the decisions.

    The attached image is from the City of "SAN MARCOS STRATEGIC HOUSING ACTION PLAN: ADDRESSING THE CONTINUUM OF HOUSING NEED"

    Last edited by Mark; 28th September 2022 at 16:17. Reason: add image, caption

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