Tucson looks at easing regulations on tiny homes in city limits
Tucson officials began discussions on how to remove zoning barriers for nonprofits and others seeking to build tiny homes in city limits.
“I’m especially interested in just making it as quick and easy for these nonprofits and getting out of the way regulations that are inappropriate,” said Councilmember Kevin Dahl at a July 18 City Council study session.
Inappropriate regulations could include parking requirements for tiny home units, Dahl said.
Dahl, along with Councilmember Lane Santa Cruz and Mayor Regina Romero, brought the issue to the council for discussion.
Tiny homes are small dwellings that are generally 400 square feet or less of floor area. According to Councilmember Paul Cunningham, they include bathrooms and kitchenettes.
Councilmember Steve Kozachik and Dahl highlighted a tiny homes manufacturer in Tucson that ships its products to Utah because the process is “more expedited” than in Arizona, Kozachik said.
Kozachik also brought up the issue of cost.
“We are making these things unaffordable through our own internal processes," Kozachik said. "Are we going to charge the same impact fees for a tiny home village as an apartment complex?”
Impact fees are one-time payments for new developments or a change in use of existing developments to pay for expanded public services.
Santa Cruz, who is an ardent supporter of tiny homes and different types of housing, said tiny homes could help Tucson's affordable housing shortage. The city not only has limited Section 8 housing vouchers but also has a lack of homes to offer the community.
She highlighted that tiny homes are not only for low-income residents but for people in all income brackets. Increasing the opportunity for tiny homes in Tucson would help the city adapt to different types of housing needs and choices, such as communal housing, Santa Cruz said.
“How can you live in a community with shared resources with other people?” Santa Cruz said. “That looks like housing cooperatives that are inclusive of tiny homes.”
She noted how some people choose to live in tiny homes as a lifestyle choice, such as communal and co-housing situations, and people who want to use fewer resources in their daily lives.
The mayor also said she has been a champion of tiny homes as part of Tucson’s housing affordability strategy.
She directed the city manager to consider changes to building codes and zoning requirements that will make it easier to include tiny homes in the “continuum of housing options for all Tucsonans.”
Discussions about tiny homes will continue at the next study session on Aug. 8.
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Reach reporter Sarah Lapidus at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tucson looks at easing regulations on tiny homes in city limits
