"microhouses" in Pennsylvania?

stef · #1 01/02/10, 04:01 PM

I need your help in finding an answer, or even knowing how to phrase a question for google to help.

I'm reading a 1995 article in the old Mother Earth News about microhousing.
In the article, the author mentions that in California the legal limit is 120 square feet if building non-regulated housing. (By this I mean it can be no LARGER than 120 sf) In particular for those 60 or older.

I would like to find out if PA has any similar and current rules that pertain to microhousing.

If you have any help here, I'd sure appreciate it.

tx

stef

meanwhile · #2 01/02/10, 04:05 PM

Good grief? How can anyone live in only 120 sq ft? Are there house plans that small?

Did you try just "micro housing PA regulations" or ....change and put rules....or laws?

||Downhome|| · #3 01/02/10, 04:06 PM

most places its not a limit on how big you can build but how small.
I think the norm is a min of 500 sq feet and the largest minimum was 1500 sq feet. really its going to be local ordinance and not state law in most cases.

I was really looking in to mirco homes being single and not really needing alot of interior space just kinda makes sense.

Explorer · #4 01/02/10, 04:33 PM

They may be talking about being building permit exempt. Many locations do not require a permit for under 120 sqft.

stanb999 · #5 01/02/10, 04:58 PM

Your not gonna be able to get around the codes. Like having a septic system or electric outlets every so many feet. But they really don't care what size you build in most townships.... Towns will be different.

Mel- · #6 01/02/10, 06:19 PM

wow, look at this *microcompact* home:

http://www.microcompacthome.com/company/?con=do1

like the others, where I live in Indiana it's not a matter of how large you can build it's how small. the two counties I have lived in have had a minimum of 1000 sq ft. the 120 sq ft max is what you can build a barn or shed to NOT on a foundation and not get a permit.

I'm looking to move to an area with no codes so I can build small. you need to checkout your specific counties codes. Just give them a call.

stef · #7 01/02/10, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel-

wow, look at this *microcompact* home:

http://www.microcompacthome.com/company/?con=do1

like the others, where I live in Indiana it's not a matter of how large you can build it's how small. the two counties I have lived in have had a minimum of 1000 sq ft. the 120 sq ft max is what you can build a barn or shed to NOT on a foundation and not get a permit.

I'm looking to move to an area with no codes so I can build small. you need to checkout your specific counties codes. Just give them a call.

I know, but it's Saturday night and they don't answer!
Seriously, the article I mentioned earlier also specified non-permanent foundations.

stef

texican · #8 01/02/10, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel-

wow, look at this *microcompact* home:

http://www.microcompacthome.com/company/?con=do1

like the others, where I live in Indiana it's not a matter of how large you can build it's how small. the two counties I have lived in have had a minimum of 1000 sq ft. the 120 sq ft max is what you can build a barn or shed to NOT on a foundation and not get a permit.

I'm looking to move to an area with no codes so I can build small. you need to checkout your specific counties codes. Just give them a call.

In the Republic of Texas, outside of urban areas, you can build a tarpaper shack or a castle, and pretty much no one cares... you do need a septic permit for most areas.... at least if you get hooked up to the grid.

seedspreader · #9 01/02/10, 11:08 PM

Stef, we have all kinds of "camps" that people live in year round over here and no one says a thing about them. Most don't have have 'official' and legal septic, but they put a septic in. They have wells and power.

I know a lot of people will think that it's not possible and it's rare, but it's not and anyone from this area can attest to it.

In fact, a lot of camps just have outhouses which are supposedly "illegal" also (yet the amish all around me have them too).

So, build a camp, forget "Micro-houses".

I know where there is two acres with a house, septic and well and the house is old and needs a lot of work for 15K about 12 miles from me. PM me if you want more information.

Mel- · #10 01/03/10, 02:25 AM

texican,

my younger sister and her family live in austin. she has lived in texas since 1982 (so she's not going anywhere).

even texas ain't big enough for the two of us

she's 1200 miles away. that's just about right.

Mel- · #11 01/03/10, 02:30 AM

stef,

do you have a link to the article? I'd like to read it.

in the counties I have lived/built in, you can't even build on a pier foundation, has to be a block.

I built a 12x16 shed on my property which actually was illegal because that is large enough to need a building permit plus I built it too close to the house. been about 5 years and no one ever reported it.

what about putting the name of your county, state and building codes or restrictions into google. I've been able to find other discussions on other boards that way giving me a little info.

good luck. i found another interesting site while googling microhousing:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/06/22/...t-tiny-houses/

some of the prices are outrageous though!

glazed · #12 01/03/10, 03:44 AM

I didn't know that "this" was what they were going to be called, but we were going to build a camp of "micro-houses" when we finally made our move to Oklahoma ... a mini-village of sorts.

Not necessarily to deceive the county codes or anything like that ... because there are none where we will be living ... but for "do-ability."

Our original plan (which has evolved over the brain-storming and day-dreaming months) was to construct individual buildings close together, and using the good 'ol outdoors as our hallways.

One building would be the kitchen ... another building would be a bathroom/laundry room ... another building would be the main "living" room ... another building would be a bedroom ... another would be another bedroom ... and another bedroom ... etc etc

The mindset behind this plan was to be able to literally build as we go ... paying by cash ... keeping the project as simple as possible ... building the kitchen and bathroom buildings FIRST (and sleeping in the kitchen as we kept adding one building at a time.)

Oh, and the buildings were going to be 10x10 and/or 12x12 each.

Now that I've shared this, I am liking the idea all over again ... sigh.

paul · #13 01/03/10, 06:54 PM

In PA, it is probably going to vary from town to town, or township to township. Last I knew there were no state codes. One thing you might do is put it on wheels and get it titled as a trailer. You might not be allowed to live in it in some area, but it would take somebody complaining for them to find you. I saw plans on the 'net not long ago from somebody who built one on a trailer fraim from Norther Tools or Harbor Freight.

homesteadpaul

stef · #14 01/03/10, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel-

stef,

do you have a link to the article? I'd like to read it.

in the counties I have lived/built in, you can't even build on a pier foundation, has to be a block.

I built a 12x16 shed on my property which actually was illegal because that is large enough to need a building permit plus I built it too close to the house. been about 5 years and no one ever reported it.

what about putting the name of your county, state and building codes or restrictions into google. I've been able to find other discussions on other boards that way giving me a little info.

good luck. i found another interesting site while googling microhousing:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/06/22/...t-tiny-houses/

some of the prices are outrageous though!

Mel...here's my attempt at cutting and pasting.
Hope it helps.
You can go to Mother Earth News archives. The article was written in 1995.

stef

Author Rev. Bill Kaysing began applying principles of “microhousing” to help end the suffering of the growing population of homeless people.

Until recently, we, who live in the industrialized societies have felt and believed that ours is a world in progress — confronted by what we term “problems” but overcoming them, one by one. But during, say, the past 20 years, we have seen the problems no longer diminishing but becoming worse — much worse. Getting a decent place to live and bring up our children was simply something that everybody did in the course of one’s life, but now this seems possible for only a quite affluent few, even in supposedly prosperous America. As for the rest of the world, the matter of housing is rapidly turning into a disaster.

The Stanford Research Institute has predicted that by the year 2000, there will be 19 million homeless Americans. Why so many in this, the richest of countries? We have plenty of wood, cement, and labor. Why can’t affordable homes be built? During World War II, housing was constructed in a matter of days. I recall that the barracks that housed our ship’s company was erected in one week. While on leave, I saw similar structures for war workers built practically overnight. In one area, the military used church property, where they constructed dormitories that housed hundreds of men. In many parts of the country, the military also established trailer parks filled with small but comfortable homes on wheels.

People might argue that there was an emergency then, the war. But my reply would be: “There is an emergency now!” The solutions are all around us, however.

In 1940, I was 18 and my best friend was Jack Keefe. During a visit to his home he showed me a most unusual small dwelling. It seems that his parents became incompatible but rather than seek a divorce, Jack’s father converted a 6-by-12-foot, backyard, garden toolshed into a comfortable and quite lovable home. It featured a miniature kitchen, a convertible sofa bed, and a complete. though tiny, bathroom. With Momma in the big house and Poppa in the backyard, Jack and his sister were able to enjoy the company of both parents instead of having to cope with the problems of divorce.

I never forgot this intelligent solution to a common problem, so in 1985, with the help of a friend, I was motivated to recreate the backyard house to see what might develop. As cofounder of the Holy Terra Church in Aptos, Calif., which was started to help the sick and homeless, I began applying principles of microhousing to help end the suffering of a growing population of homeless people; and we’ve been putting up little houses ever since — not just in backyards, but wherever we can get away with it.

What’s a Microhouse?
A microhouse is an affordable shelter for full- or part-time use by anyone for any rational purpose. The basic size is 8 feet by 12 feet, or 96 square feet, but they can be built to any desired dimensions. Two or more can be linked with a breezeway and effectively form a two- (or several) room home.

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Lyra · #15 01/03/10, 07:46 PM

PA is funny. It is just like Paul said, the codes vary between cities, towns, and townships. The code laws can range from no codes/restrictions to a huge list of highly specific regulations.

sgl42 · #16 01/03/10, 09:28 PM

a few other sources you might find of interest:
http://tinyhouseblog.com/
http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/
http://smalllivingjournal.com/
http://www.tinyhouseliving.com/

--sgl

KatSpradley · #17 01/03/10, 11:07 PM

You can build on wheels to circumvent those as it will now become classified as a mobile home or recreational vehicle. Even if you plan on living in it. Check out some of the links above...they are the ones we have looked in to.

AngieM2 · #18 01/03/10, 11:13 PM

Texas Tiny Houses I love these houses, too. The tiny tumbleweed houses are very neat, and expensive.

And this Phoenix Commotion
By Dan Phillips Is a really neat concept.

Angie

tamsam · #19 01/03/10, 11:28 PM

Why not a travel trailer or motor home? I lived in a 36ft motor home for over a year and it is easy to move. Sam

beaglady · #20 01/04/10, 10:12 AM

PA did adopt a statewide building code several years ago. It's the International Residential Code, 2006 edition. Every municipality in PA is supposed to be enforcing the same codes for all new residential construction. There are different requirements for new camps, which are a bit less stringent, but do not allow for permanent occupancy. I can look up more info later in the code.