In case you have yet to hear the BIG news, we are honored to share it with you. The second-largest city in the US finally approved movable tiny houses as accessory dwelling units (ADUs). It took years of advocacy, since 2016, and the process went through many starts and stops.
The most recent delay is attributed to groundbreaking, state-wide ADU laws, lowering the barriers to development. Apparently, the city of Los Angeles had to ensure that its new ADU zoning ordinance complied with the new State rules.
Congratulations and sincere thanks to all the advocates who helped make this victory a reality!
Within a few months, permitted tiny homes could start popping in backyards across the city. This will create a positive ripple effect across California, as well as the nation. On that note, the timing of this victory couldn’t be better. Both the cities of San Jose and San Diego are currently considering accepting movable tiny houses. LA’s zoning ordinance provides a clear path forward for large urban communities.
As a reminder, this colossal victory wouldn’t be possible without the historic approval of Fresno’s similar tiny house zoning law.
“The City of Los Angeles has given the green light to Movable Tiny Homes as ADUs! The ordinance becomes law in time for Christmas!
The Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance has been APPROVED today by the LA City Council. This ordinance permits Movable Tiny Houses as permissible and permanently habitable accessory dwelling units (ADU).
Suffice it to say that, now that the nation’s 2nd largest city recognizes Movable Tiny Homes as habitable ADU’s, it will go a long way in providing a model for other cities around the country.Thank you to American Tiny House Association (ATHA) and Tiny Home Industry Association (THIA) and a special thanks to Tessa Baker of Los Angeles Co-built Homes (LATCH) that did the early groundwork with LA elected officials.”
-Dan Fitzpatrick, Tiny Home Industry Association President and American Tiny House Association Director of Government Relations & Advocacy
Join leading Los Angeles tiny house advocates, LATCH Collective, on January 7, for a Legally Living Tiny Webinar to learn how you can get your tiny house permitted in LA.
“This webinar will help you to understand the basics of codes, zoning, and the different parking options available for tiny homes, with helpful references to the current codes and zoning within Los Angeles and California. This information is crucial for anyone considering the Tiny Lifestyle!”
– Teresa Baker, LATCH cofounder
by Alexis Stephens, Tiny House Blog contributor
Amazing tiny house! and now legal in L.A Congratulations
I just wanted to offer some helpful observations. For Tiny Homes to be successful in Los Angeles County the following must happen.
No Home property reassessment of the entire home, only for the tiny house being built.
Separate billing for electricity, water, power, gas and trash, Otherwise homeowners will go into tier 2 and tier 3 and tier 4 billing because of the tiny house they installed in their backyard.
Special low cost rates for all the DWP and Gas related hook ups.
If these three things don’t happen, the Tiny House legislation will probably not do anywhere near what it could do.
Remember who you are dealing with. You are dealing with a City Council that passed a 50% rental increase ordinance per decade without realizing that 5% raises 10 years in a row is actually more than a 65% increase, and the alleged rent control agreement allowed for Cost of Living to be added on top, basically ensuring anywhere from an 80% to 100% increase in rent per decade on a proposal that sounds like it is limiting rent increases to 50%.