Cool idea for that Homestead you're planning...

[dhawktx]

[font=Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif]Green Magic Homes [/font]is a company that manufactures per-fabricated shells that can be used to build Hobbit-hole style homes. The shells can be assembled by as few as three people in in three days, making them the perfect choice for a person who needs a new home RIGHT NOW. Plus the Hobbit-holes are eco-friendly and super customizable for those of you who need OPTIONS.

http://geekologie.com/2015/12/company-selling-pre-fab-hobbit-hole-home.php

 

[BradKW]

Those are pretty neat, but I worry about all the illegal hobbits it could attract...

Did you see anything indicating prices? (of the modules, not hobbits)

 

[dhawktx]

Nothing on their site yet, but I saw that the modules are being manufactured in Cancun.

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

The problem is that most zoning and building laws will never allow those. Building codes usually have a square foot minimum that is 1200 sq. ft. in some areas! You can also do these yourself (no shell needed) with earth bags, but again, they won't let you. Even if you can get it approved, it will end up costing you a lot of money and red tape to do so. I gave up on tiny homes because of all the ridiculous laws that make getting it allowed as expensive as a full sized home (or more).

I can only speak for myself, but I have a small home that is completely paid for, and there is no freedom in it. I cant wait until it sells! As long as I own it, I have to answer to the powers that be about grass, paint, etc and I hate it!

I wouldn't mind a tiny home, just for a place to come back to here and there, or if I am ever unable to travel for whatever reason. But, it's hard to maintain a home if you are traveling regardless of size so i doubt I will ever do it again unless I absolutely had to.

Hobbit homes are so cool though! It would be so fun so have one! Thanks for sharing the link

 

[my_vantasy]

They're cute! Different, but cute.

 

[SoulRaven]

Sadly, I learned the same thing as "Salty Sea Witch". Now, there are some places, 2 counties in KS and I have heard of some in AR, where they don't have such rules/codes/policies/laws. I am aware of one in KS and we had lived there but in the city and they were working hard to change allowing people to do as they pleased with the land they owned. What I learned was that they put the plumbers, roofers, builders, electricians, etc. on these county boards making these decisions on what will be allowed. I am faced with how to afford to live when I get older and in a "permanent" location, "conditions" can change rapidly. I see so many people trapped in nice homes where it is no longer safe for them or taxes have doubled and eating them alive which forces them into stacked living facilities for "seniors". Work all their lives to have the home and when they finally retire, it isn't a safe neighborhood anymore and/or they can't afford taxes and maintenance. I think this is really contributing to the number of people on "wheels". I was blown away looking for videos on "full-timing", people of all ages and all means.............. I knew a couple quite well that had a TT, traveled and lived around the US in it and then settled down in an RV park in their 80s where they lived their life out and they were so inspirational, loved to visit with anyone that had the time and they had awesome tales. I actually had an elderly couple that I spent hours talking with also that had done something similar for about 20 years. I couldn't get enough time with these individuals to hear their tales of adventure.

 

[SoulRaven]

I am one of those old folks that live in one of those "stacked living facilities for "seniors"".

It was by far the best move I made in my entire life.

When and if the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania budget ever gets passed there will be another $500 rent rebate available on top of the $650 one already in place. Plus I get a $89 per month electrical allowance and a yearly heating grant of another $238.

My rent is 30% of gross Social Security income when you deduct for the rebates and electrical giveaways my net monthly rent comes to about $50 per month plus actual electric of another $50 which includes AC for a total housing cost of $100/month with water, sewer, trash, included and the building has free wifi in spots.

You will spend $100 per month for gasoline living in a van with a free bookdock. And if something breaks (electrical, plumbing, or the appliances) in my 400 square feet of personal space the maintenance guy fixes it for FREE.

 

[ZoNiE]

Solution for small home size limit zoning issues:

Build a 1,200sq ft house
Build a tiny guest house
Rent the 1,200 sq foot house out
Rent covers mortgage and taxes on both.

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

Solution for small home size limit zoning issues:

Build a 1,200sq ft house
Build a tiny guest house
Rent the 1,200 sq foot house out
Rent covers mortgage and taxes on both.

Most people cannot afford that. It takes a lot of money to build a house, or buy a house. Renters also trash houses. You have to be able to replace heat going out in the middle of the night in winter or any problems. That means you better have the money on hand for emergency repairs at all times. I have done it. Even living next door, they trashed the place before they moved.

Also, it still is not allowed in 99% of places in the U.S. I own a home in TN. Was going to rent it out and live in a tiny home on my own paid for in full property. It is not allowed per zoning laws here. Not only is that not allowed, it is also illegal to sleep in a vehicle (including an RV) on my own property!! True story.

 

[Canine]

One more reason I like Ar.Property taxes are frozen when the homeowner reaches 65 and never go up.Plus we get about 45 inches of rain a year so I use rain water and don't need a well.

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

One more reason I like Ar.Property taxes are frozen when the homeowner reaches 65 and never go up.Plus we get about 45 inches of rain a year so I use rain water and don't need a well.

Good to know that about AZ taxes.

 Some places it is illegal to harvest rainwater though :s

 

[dhawktx]

SSW and other's observations are valid for city or town dwellings. I was thinking in terms of the 'rural' areas that have been discussed for use as home bases - where the only building regs you need to worry about are statewide.

 

[WriterMs]

At least one man has a YouTube video of how he built his house so small, it falls BELOW what is covered by codes. I cannot recall the state, but he had property alongside his family's farm. I think he built a single-level home that was something like 10x12 or smaller -- his county considers that to be a shed (or such) and NO building codes apply.

If you are in an area where the state codes apply, this article says there are ways to have a tiny house with no problem:

http://www.tentcityurbanism.com/2014/09/navigating-minimum-square-footage.html

 

[GrantRobertson]

One more reason I like Ar.Property taxes are frozen when the homeowner reaches 65 and never go up.Plus we get about 45 inches of rain a year so I use rain water and don't need a well.

Do you mean Arkansas or Arizona?

 

[GrantRobertson]

SSW and other's observations are valid for city or town dwellings. I was thinking in terms of the 'rural' areas that have been discussed for use as home bases - where the only building regs you need to worry about are statewide.

This is not true. More and more counties are adopting the policy of matching whatever codes are in the largest city in or near the county. They all figure they will eventually be annexed anyway.

I know Texas is very anti-zoning regulations. As far as I know, you only have to deal with building codes in and around Austin. Last I heard, even Houston didn't have much in the way of codes. This allows factories to go up across the street from low-income schools.

 

[Canine]

Arkansas,Grant

 

[Canine]

Arkansas,Salty.My property taxs are $360 per year,less my homestead exemption of $300 which leaves me $60 to pay.

 

[B and C]

This is not true. More and more counties are adopting the policy of matching whatever codes are in the largest city in or near the county. They all figure they will eventually be annexed anyway.

I know Texas is very anti-zoning regulations. As far as I know, you only have to deal with building codes in and around Austin. Last I heard, even Houston didn't have much in the way of codes.  This allows factories to go up across the street from low-income schools.

You are confusing zoning laws with building codes.  Building codes are used to make sure a place is safe.  Zoning is about what you can place where.

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

SSW and other's observations are valid for city or town dwellings. I was thinking in terms of the 'rural' areas that have been discussed for use as home bases - where the only building regs you need to worry about are statewide.

International Building Codes have been adapted in every state and almost every County. I searched and searched for rural areas ( for years I might add) where I could do a tiny home all over the USA. TN has previously been one such place but not now. Check the zoning laws in a rural area for yourself. Call them and ask about alternative buildings, you will see.There are 2 counties presently in TN where you could do it but there is no work in those areas. Both are considering adapting the codes in the near future.

I live in a very, very, tiny town (not even a Walmart for 2 towns) and it doesnt matter how far out I choose live in the county, same laws apply.

It should also be noted that if you build where there are no laws against alternative building, some places have condemned homes built in places before codes where adapted, and deemed them unsafe.

There is a town in TX that is welcoming tiny home dwellers but again, no work there, and you must be hooked up to city utilities and be permitted but easy process. Hopefully other places start seeing this as an example. It is at least a start.

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

This is not true. More and more counties are adopting the policy of matching whatever codes are in the largest city in or near the county. They all figure they will eventually be annexed anyway.

I know Texas is very anti-zoning regulations. As far as I know, you only have to deal with building codes in and around Austin. Last I heard, even Houston didn't have much in the way of codes.  This allows factories to go up across the street from low-income schools.

You are correct in that they are all adopting the IDC and uniform zoning laws. Here in TN we had 6 counties who refused them for years and then the Federal government cut funding to force compliance. Now we have 2 holding out, but they wont last much longer. Most of TX does regulate building and zoning but the desert is fighting it from what I have read. Places like TX and CA are forcing people who have lived off grid for years to comply or move. http://offgridsurvival.com/livingoffthegridcrime/ Other places make it a crime as well. It's a shame that we cannot live free anymore.

Alaska is the best place to live free imo but they do have the laws in place (just dont enforce it in the bush for now from what i understand). But, Alaska is not for everyone. If I were younger, or maybe married, I would go there but not where I would want to live by myself.