EDMONTON, ALTA. – New zoning bylaw regulations will now allow tiny homes on foundations to be developed as single detached housing or garden suites across the city.
The new regulations remove a minimum width requirement of 5.5 metres for mobile homes located outside the city’s RMH Mobile Home Zone. The new rules also allow for “missing middle” housing by allowing clusters of tiny home developments in the RF5 Row Housing Zone.
“The tiny home movement has gained interest from those seeking a smaller living space. These changes increase housing choice and remove regulatory barriers for those interested in the tiny homes market,” City of Edmonton zoning bylaw senior planner Trevor Illingworth said.
Tiny homes are defined as small, self-contained and usually less than 40 square meters, the release stated, and can be divided into “tiny homes on foundations” and “tiny homes on wheels.” Those on foundations can be constructed on-site or manufactured off-site and then placed on a foundation.
The regulatory changes stem from Action 3 of the Infill Roadmap 2018 plan, which required investigation of opportunities for tiny homes and multiple approaches to implement them in the city. The intent, the release stated, is “to ensure safe and habitable homes that fit into the surrounding community, while still accommodating the unique designs of tiny homes.”
The City of Edmonton is also working with the Alberta Safety Codes Council to advocate for changes to the Alberta Building Code to allow tiny homes on wheels.
there needs to be a tiny home subdivision with tiny stores as well