Potential Good News
I am going to share potential good news regarding the ICC 1215 standard that originally had the intent to further progress tiny houses, but instead, it became hijacked by the Small Residential Unit. The name of the standard is ICC 1215 – Design, Construction, Inspection and Regulation of Small Residential Units and Tiny Houses for Permanent Occupancy.
The committee is going to submit a request for a shorter version of the standard only relative to tiny houses to ICC, in addition to the standard that would include both Tiny Houses and Small Residential Units.
The initial press release never mentioned the Small Residential Unit.
What Is A Small Residential Unit? As Defined In The ICC 1215 Standard
SMALL RESIDENTIAL UNIT (SRU). A dwelling that is 1200 square feet (111 m2) or less excluding lofts and is constructed as a permanent residential structure with or without a permanent chassis.
What Is A Tiny House? As Defined In The ICC 1215 Standard
TINY HOUSE. A SMALL RESIDENTIAL UNIT that is 400 square feet (37 m2) or less excluding lofts.
Excerpt From Dec. 10, 2025 ICC 1215 Meeting Notes
Mr. Wiseman accepted a motion to submit a request to ICC technical services staff for the creation of an abridged version of ICC 1215 that would contain only content associated for tiny houses. an abridged version of ICC 1215 that would contain only content associated for tiny houses. The expected benefit of an abridged version would be to assist legislators as a basis increasing legislation specific to tiny houses. The motion passed 8 for – 3 against. Mr. Wiseman will prepare the request for submittal.
Dec. 10, 2025 Meeting Notes ICC 1215
The Small Residential Unit Is Arbitrary And Unconstitutional
If the Small Residential Unit (SRU) and the provision that placed tiny houses under the SRU was ever argued in court, I feel that the term and provision regarding a tiny house placement under the SRU would be considered arbitrary and unconstitutional.
Building codes and standards that incorporate made-up terms solely to favor private-sector interests, without a clear public safety justification, can be challenged on legal grounds, potentially being deemed arbitrary and unconstitutional.
The ‘Small Residential Unit’ is a brand of ICC and a personal whim, and it lacks a rational basis related to legitimate needs like structural integrity, life and fire safety, and public welfare.
The 1200 square footprint of the Small Residential Unit is working against the trend to lower requirements for smaller footprints. Many jurisdictions have lowered their square footage requirements to accommodate tiny houses that are typically 400 square or less.
To Learn More About The Backstory Dive Into The Article Below That Was Published In MHProNews On Dec. 15, 2025.
Closing Thoughts
It will be interesting to see whether ICC approves this motion to create an abridged version only for tiny houses. I think it is a signal that our opposition to the Small Residential Unit is finally being recognized, because there has been a great debate against it. I personally feel that it will not be adopted and I will not support tiny houses as a subcategory under the Small Residential Unit. The committee would not be proposing this abridged version for tiny houses if the Small Residential Unit was succeeding.
ICC Denies Motor Vehicle Classification By ICC Board Of Directors
I sent a complaint to ICC regarding of ICC 1215 – Design, Construction and Regulation of Small Residential Units and Tiny Houses for Permanent Occupancy.
My complaint was regarding that the ICC 1215 standard was overriding federal standards on the chassis. I received a reply from ICC on Dec. 9, 2025 that I did not agree with. I sent them a rebuttal to their answer on Dec. 17, 2025.
Summary Of My Rebuttal
I am sending a rebuttal to the Dec. 9, 2025 letter from ICC regarding my complaint that ICC 1215 is overriding federal laws regarding the chassis, and a formal new complaint that my comments in the reason section were partially edited and omitted in the first draft that’s currently being reviewed. . I have some new points that I respectfully ask you to consider. I am including the ICC 1215 committee and interested parties that have been involved in the chassis discussion, and ANSI.
The Transportation section of ICC/THIA 1215 unlawfully treats a trailer chassis as if it exists in a regulatory vacuum. By rebranding a trailer as a “temporary carrier system” and carving out an exemption, the standard attempts to obscure the existence of a noncompliant “ghost trailer” and create an alternate compliance pathway outside federal motor vehicle law.
A trailer’s legal identity is fixed by statute and is not fluid. Motor vehicle safety standards cannot be reclassified, waived, or displaced by a building or private consensus standard. Silence or omission cannot defeat federal preemption where Congress has occupied the field.
Dec. 27, 2025
