Coloradan’s hoping to live a more mobile and unique life in tiny homes are now no longer limited to the restrictions of RV or camper categorization. According to KDVR Fox31, the newly passed HB22-1242 allows tiny homes to be built to the International Residential Code, meaning permanent residence will now be allowed.
Previously, tiny homes were limited to a RV or camper categorization, meaning they could only be lived in seasonally and could not be marked as a permanent residence.
“With this new law I’m going to be able to take my tiny house, put it on a piece of land, as long as I built it to code and as long as I tie it to utilities correctly and place it correctly, I’m going to be able to live in that full time in Colorado, that used to not be.” – Tracy Manchego-Baker, co-founder of Tiny Building Experts
When placed on private property, tiny home owners will have the ability to go to the state and have the home converted from personal property to property with a certificate of occupancy. Under these guidelines, the small buildings and the property they sit on will appreciate in value rather than depreciating in the same means as an RV.
The law does bring up challenges relating to both property taxes and license plates for the tiny homes, both of which are yet to be solved.
“It makes design harder, it costs just a little bit more but you’re going to have to pay for your certification no matter what. So the truth of the matter is we feel really good about setting people up for success now with this new law.” – Tracy Manchego-Baker
Current owners of tiny homes that live up to RV standards may have a difficult time selling their none-residential code compliant homes following the law change, but the state notes that those individuals can reach out to find out what needs to be done to bring the buildings up to code.
“If you can fix your build to meet the Colorado certifications, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to place it. The problem is the truth that they’re not going to meet the certifications and the reason why is because they can’t redo their framing and their insulation.” – Tracy Manchego-Baker
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Image Credit: Tiny Building Experts via Facebook