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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	April 12, 2022 11:01 AM
From:	Representative Lori A. Mizgorski
To:	All House members
Subject:	Tiny House Legislation

Soon, I shall introduce legislation to make it easier for local governments to include tiny houses in their communities, if they so choose.   By way of background, Pennsylvania is no stranger to tiny houses; however, a lack of clear guidance can make it difficult for local governments that want to establish parameters by which tiny houses will be allowed as permissible and permanent single-family dwellings. Given the housing affordability problems we are experiencing, I decided to look at ways to help those communities that want to provide for tiny houses.     My legislation amends Act 45 of 1999 to require the Department of Labor and Industry to promulgate regulations adopting Appendix Q “Tiny Houses” of the 2018 International Residential Code. What’s more, my bill will only apply in a municipality that elects to adopt Appendix Q by ordinance.   Adopting Appendix Q allows a tiny house under 400 square feet to be installed on a foundation (usually a concrete pad) as a permanent residence. In brief: Appendix Q relaxes various requirements in the body of the code as they apply to tiny houses that are 400 square feet or less. Attention is specifically paid to features such as compact stairs, including handrails and headroom, ladders, reduced ceiling heights in lofts and emergency escape and rescue opening requirements of lofts.     If you would like to know more about tiny houses, here are some links to explore. https://www.tinysociety.co/articles/tiny-house-laws-united-states/ https://tinyhomeindustryassociation.org/   I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.

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