Emergency Rule Added
The November 9, 2023 newsletter from the Colorado Building Code & Standards Newsletter And Technical Updates included a new emergency ruling from the Colorado State Housing Board that will broaden the allowance of tiny homes on a permanent chassis for long-term occupancy.
Emergency Rules Last 120 Days
”We Believe This Is A Good Rule And Should Be Made Permanent”
”On October 24, 2023, the State Housing Board added an Emergency Rule to our Administrative Rules. This rule (2.15.13) allows for Building Codes & Standards (BCS) to amend the adopted standards when there is a declared local or state emergency and the local jurisdiction asks for a modification of the standards in writing. Emergency rules last 120 days; however, we believe this is a good rule and should be made permanent as it allows factory-built structures to be utilized for site-specific emergency situations. We will begin permanent rulemaking soon. ”
Emergency Rule
Related: Colorado DOLA Clarifies New Tiny Home State Program
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.
Tiny House Alliance USA Editor
November 15, 2023
The Future Of Tiny Is Now!
Janet Thome Founder And President
janet@tinyhouseallianceusa.org
509 345 2013
