The discussion didn’t lead to any specific action, but resulted in Community Development Director Bob Massarelli telling the board he would return with some ideas on how to proceed.
Supervisor Moke Simon asked to have the discussion, noting what while he had been approached about allowing for tiny homes to be built in the area of the county where homes were lost to wildland fires, he wanted to open up the possibility of building tiny homes across the county.
He said the smaller homes might allow for more homeownership opportunities for younger people and senior citizens.
Massarelli said that the California Building Code requires a minimum of 360 square feet without a bedroom, and 70 square feet for each additional bedroom.
He said the county’s rules require a minimum of 720 square feet and a width of at least 15 feet. Granny units also have to be at least 15 feet wide and require a kitchen, but don’t have a minimum area. Guest houses are required to be at least 200 square feet but no kitchen is allowed.
In the mobile home combining district, the mobiles need to be a minimum of 12 feet wide and 560 square feet; mobiles not in those districts must be at least 720 square feet, he said.
“So what would be a teeny house?” asked Supervisor Jim Steele.
Massarelli said everybody has a different idea about what a tiny home is, which he said can be with or without wheels.
Tiny homes can be tree houses, cabins, cottages, floating houses and even hobbit houses.
“We’ve actually had people come in and ask us if they could build a hobbit house, something into the side of the mountain,” Massarelli said.
He said his department also has had inquiries about a floating house on the water with sewer connections to the mainland.
The county will need to come up with a definition going forward, he said. “That’s all part of the discussion, trying to define what a tiny house is.”
Steele asked if the board had the latitude tiny homes in light of the state’s parameters.
Massarelli suggested that the definition include stick-built or modulars consistent with the state building code. That wouldn’t allow for floating or hobbit houses.
“No matter what you choose, it would still have to be compliant with the state building code,” Massarelli said.
Supervisor Tina Scott asked how tiny home communities work. Massarelli said some are like RV parks, with central bathroom and kitchen facilities. Scott asked if the county ordinance would allow for something like that, and Massarelli said yes.
Simon said he wanted the board to set expectations for the buildings, which he suggested would offer solutions for small lots in areas like Anderson Springs and Seigler Springs. He said it’s also a unique opportunity to revitalize some of the smaller cottage resorts around the lake.
Board Chair Jeff Smith questioned whether the smaller, inexpensive homes would have any value. He suggested trying them in a tiny home community or an older RV park first, adding that he had mixed emotions about them.
Scott agreed with Simon that the county needed to consider tiny homes. “We're in a severe housing crisis and this is exactly the time to deliver creative solutions to solve some of these issues that we have.”
Supervisor Rob Brown said he hasn’t gotten any serious interest from anyone about wanting tiny homes. However, he agreed that Anderson Springs is a perfect opportunity.
“I want to make sure that what we do is thoughtful as far as what the possibilities are,” he said, agreeing with Smith’s concerns.
One of the big issues around the lake is the old resorts that have been turned into permanent housing and have deteriorated. Brown said the county has spent a fortune trying to clean them up.
“I think this could be the theater of unintended consequences if we’re not real careful,” said Steele.
He added that he was raised in a home smaller than the examples Massarelli had given, explaining later in the meeting that his family had lived in one of the small homes used for workers building Shasta Dam that later were sold after the project was done.
Steele was concerned about mobile homes-type tiny homes, explaining that mobile homes are prone to falling in earthquakes. Instead, he suggested using skid homes, which can be brought in and placed, and also can be easily replaced or rebuilt. Steele said they don’t pose a problem in earthquakes and can have fireproof siding.
Despite his concerns, Steele noted, “I really am in favor of this,” and said he wanted to see it explored.
Smith agreed that they could offer inexpensive senior housing, but he remained concerned about allowing them anywhere. He agreed that it would be good to try out the concept in Anderson Springs, where there are many small lots and the houses that burned in the Valley fire had included many small cabins.
County Counsel Anita Grant said the board could allow them under certain circumstances that do relate to lot size and other things.
“So your board has some flexibility as long as you determine the standards and under what circumstance those standards will be equally applied,” she said.
Simon wanted Massarelli to work on an ordinance update that would address everyone's concerns. He said they have a unique opportunity to lower the carbon footprint, have more solar and provide a good use for natural resources.
Massarelli noted unintended consequences, such as reduced square footage resulting in reduced impact fees for fire districts.
He said Simon had talked to fire officials, who didn’t express any concern, but Massarelli added that if it’s done on a large scale, there could be an economic impact.
There also might be problems with large accessory structures, like big collector barns, he said.
Massarelli said the board might consider hiring a consultant to look at updating the rules.
Brown suggested not overthinking the matter, and simply implement the same requirements as are in place for regular homes, just on a reduced size.
Massarelli said he will come back in the near future with some ideas on new rules for tiny homes.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.