By now you've probably heard the exciting news that Pleasant Grove has joined several other cities and towns across the country in legalizing tiny homes. Being there for the meeting was tense and exciting. We weren't sure how the vote was going to go, but we knew that there was a lot riding on this decision. Several local tiny house enthusiasts were on hand to offer opinions and support during the public hearing, and we were all thrilled with the unanimous decision.
But before we all start planning to roll into Pleasant Grove en masse, we need to talk about what exactly this means and what kinds of tiny houses are allowed. Bear with me, this is about to get a little technical.
This ordinance has been added as part of Pleasant Grove's zoning laws regarding accessory dwelling units, which were passed earlier this year. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is meant to be a subordinate dwelling on the same lot as a traditional residence. In Pleasant Grove you can live in the ADU or in the main house, as long as the lot is not subdivided and the same owner owns both residences. What happened last night is that the laws concerning ADUs have now been extended to include tiny homes.
But there are some caveats. The tiny home cannot be smaller than 192 square feet (which means 24 feet if you're building on a standard trailer). And no matter what size it is, the house must have its own eating, sleeping, and sanitation facilities and be permanently connected to city utilities. The ADU/tiny home must also be permanently installed on a foundation.
At first this might seem like it rules out all tiny houses, and it does rule out some. However, there are options to make this route work for you if you're interested in doing so. It all depends on what you're looking for in your tiny home experience. I also think it's important to note the precedent this sets for surrounding cities and all of Utah. While this ordinance may not be the perfect answer to your tiny house placement problems, it's a start, people. And I still think it's exciting.
Here are some additional specifics from the ordinance:
1. Only one accessory dwelling (tiny home) per lot, meaning you can't build a tiny village in your backyard, even if you own multiple acres.
2. As mentioned, you must connect to all city utilities, so no composting toilets.
3. You have to attach your house to a site-built foundation.
4. And that foundation has to be inspected by the city to make sure it's up to code.
5. All the wheels and trailer (anything that makes the house portable) must be removed at the time of installation as an ADU.
6. The house must be built from weather-resistant and aesthetically pleasing materials, consistent with the main dwelling on the property.
7. Deviations from these stipulations can be approved by the city.
8. And finally, parking requirements for the property are the same as the ADU ordinance that was passed earlier this year, which likely means that additional off-street parking will need to be installed. And from what I heard last night, this doesn't include just laying down some gravel. It needs to be actual cement parking.
So are you discouraged yet? Don't be. This really is a step in the right direction. For some lucky folks this means they can start building their houses today, now that they finally have a legal option for their dream homes. For others, this will mean figuring out if Pleasant Grove is a place you'd want to settle down permanently and then finding someone there who would like to make some extra money by renting out a spot in their yard.
I understand that this provision will not work for all tiny housers. Some of you, like me, would prefer to be mobile because you don't feel like you can commit to any one place just yet, even a place as nice as Pleasant Grove. Some of you, like me, want to live in a house that's smaller than 192 square feet. And some of you, like me, plan to use composting toilets or other off-grid set ups.
But let me tell you why I felt so energized as we clapped our hands and left that meeting last night. It's because there was a conversation. There were people there who had actively pursued change for the greater good of their community. There were kind and helpful government officials who were receptive to that change. I listened to people talk about all the different reasons they wanted to go tiny, and I watched city council members nod and smile in encouragement. We answered questions and calmed fears and ultimately we convinced them that this was the right thing to do.
People should be allowed to live in whatever size house they want. And what I saw last night was a city that recognized that truth and took a big step forward to make things right and to welcome good people into their community who would not otherwise be able to own a home of their own.
Was it perfect? No. Was it progress? Yes. And you made it happen, tiny housers. Yesterday was a good day to be a tiny house person in Utah. And I couldn't have been more proud of the people who showed up to represent our community. Thank you for your efforts thus far and for all you're going to do in the future.
