Findings
The City General Plan Housing Element (2014) and the South Shore Region Housing Needs and Opportunities Report (2019) identified a general disparity between wages and the cost of housing in South Lake Tahoe. There is a need for new housing construction, especially housing to serve moderate, low, very low, and extremely low income residents.
On March 2, 2021 the City Council adopted Ordinance 2021-1152 amending the City Code to allow for the development of accessory dwelling units on parcels zoned for single family and multi-family land uses.
The City has since engaged the public in a discussion on whether to allow movable tiny homes to be installed within the City as single-family, multi family and accessory dwelling units. The Planning Commission held a public meeting and discussion on August 2, 2021 and the City Council held a public meeting and discussion on October 19, 2021 regarding policy direction on the issue.
. On December 16, 2021 the City Planning Commission held a public hearing and adopted Resolution 2021-16 recommending adoption of an ordinance that would allow movable tiny homes to be utilized as single-family and accessory dwelling units.
On January 18, 2022 the City Council held a public hearing and directed staff to make revisions to the draft ordinance for City Council consideration at the February 1, 2022 meeting.
Photo Courtesy Pacifica Tiny Homes
Ordinance 2022-XXX Adopted by the City of South Lake Tahoe City Council March 1, 2022
Ordinance Amending Chapter 6.85 (Residential Development and Design Standards) of the South Lake Tahoe City Code to Establish Requirements for Movable Tiny Homes
Council Approves Movable Tiny Home Ordinance, Park Ranger Program
Council finally approved the first reading of the Movable Tiny Homes code amendments.
The ordinance states, “A manufactured home, tiny home, factory built home or similar dwelling unit designed for occupancy as a permanent dwelling shall be allowed as a dwelling on those parcels where single-family dwellings are permitted in compliance with the requirements of the applicable zoning district, and subject to the same development standards to which a conventional single-family residential dwelling on the same lot would be subject to.”
The ordinance defines a Movable Tiny Home as a, “Park Model Recreational Vehicle functioning as a separate, independent dwelling unit that is no larger than 400 square feet (excluding lofts) providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation; is mounted on a wheeled trailer chassis; and is titled and registered to tow with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.”
City Council Agendas
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