Florida is one of those special places that people like to visit in the winter. It is a boom state that many would want to escape to and have the hot sun beat down on them. Due to the large number of people that vacation in this state, accommodation in tiny houses is encouraged. However, due to the strict building codes, tiny houses are rare and only a few recreational vehicles are set up.
Building a tiny house in Florida is regulated by zoning regulations and building codes that vary in different counties. Counties and municipalities are however getting pressured to legalize the building of tiny houses. To understand the nature of the laws governing tiny houses, it is important to do research concerning the zoning ordinances applicable in the state. Factors that influence permission granted to build a tiny house in the state of Florida include:
–Local policies and regulations that govern tiny houses
– The necessity of owning a tiny house.
– The safety standards required to make a tiny house accommodative.
Zoning regulations in Florida
A land development code gives guidelines on the use of land where the building is set up. Zoning codes are provided in both maps and texts formats. The maps provide laws on which part of the district is allowed for building a tiny house. The texts give information about the uses of the houses that are allowed per district. These codes tell the difference between the areas allowed for residential homes and industrial use.
Building codes
The Building codes give guidelines on minimum requirements necessary for building a tiny house. Tiny houses are treated differently in different towns. Depending on whether the tiny house is on wheels or on a foundation, the zoning regulations also differ. In 2004, the state of Florida allowed the use of Accessory dwelling units for accommodation.
Read: 6 Freedoms That Come With Tiny House Living
Accessory dwelling units
A tiny house built on a solid foundation could be considered as a permanent dwelling place if it is subject under zoning guidelines. The minimum size for each room is 120 square feet. The loft area should be equipped with stairs or a ladder for emergency exit.
Recreational vehicles in Florida
A house on wheels is termed as a recreational vehicle that is for temporary dwelling and travelling. These houses should abide by the building codes provided for recreational vehicles. The Florida Department of motor vehicles requires registration of the house on wheels as a parked trailer. Due to an increase of hurricanes in the Flordia region, counties have regulations on the parking of a trailer. Rockledge, Florida for instance allows the use of a tiny house on wheels only if the tie-down requirements are followed. Sarasota county demands that a house on wheels should be built on a solid foundation after 45 days of parking.
To ascertain the legality of a tiny house, the zoning regulations and building codes must be followed. Defiance to do so puts the tiny house owner at risk of being fined and the house being scrapped of the residential lot.
Also Read: Are Tiny Houses Legal in New York ?
