A two storey Tiny House was towed to this residential site in Mangawhai a couple of weeks ago, and since then the owner has been systematically preparing it so he and his partner can live in it part-time.
The planning question this sort of activity poses is when does such a development require a Building permit?
I'm interested in your views please. Use the comment facility of the blog to provide your suggestions - anonymously or otherwise.
This image shows the corner support used. A car jack on a concrete tile. The chain is wrapped around the trailer chassis beam, and U-bolted to a wooden post which appears to be set in concrete into the ground. The chain is likely to prevent the structure tipping in a strong wind. The site is elevated and exposed (see picture at end of this post). The elevation shown in picture 1 is to the north, and is about 8 metres long by about 4.5 metres high.
The same chain/post combination is deployed at the opposite end. Timber lengths are used to support the structure.
The wheels have been removed from the trailer supporting the structure, and axles protected with plastic covers from water and suchlike.
Electric power is provided to the Tiny House from this mains switch and electric metre board which has been built into one corner of the site.
The floor area adjacent to the elevation shown (to the south) contains the greywater drainage pipes from kitchen and bathroom which have yet to be connected to any disposal or collection system. I understand a waste pipe will be installed directing greywater into a storage tank located next to the retaining wall visible in the first pic (above). This will be pumped out from time to time. Unclear so far.
A freshwater tank about 2500 litres capacity has been set into the ground and collects runoff from the roof. It has no overflow discharge system as yet.
Kitchen and bathroom water gets heated here and reticulated into the Tiny House.
I understand there is a composting toilet in the bathroom part of the Tiny House. It is unclear whether urine can be passed into the composting toilet system.
Grey water discharge systems are not fitted as yet.
The locked cabinet shown by the trailer draw bar contains the gas bottle. The water pump is mounted on the timber platform at the left.
This view is to the East. The Eastern end houses a bathroom utility area at the ground floor, and a mezzanine level above for the bedroom which is accessed by means of an internal staircase.
So. All you experts and practitioners out there, what's the regulatory position on a Tiny House like this in a residential area? It complies with District Plan provisions. Fixture to piles, or connection to the local wastewater network, triggers the need for Building Consent in Kaipara District. But as it stands, would it comply in your neck of the woods?
3 comments:
I believe that this one needs all the buiding permits as a normal dwelling. If it was not connected in any way to the adjacent enviroment then no permit would be needed.
That means having its wheels connected and being completley self contained as would a for example "motorhome" which if taken off the road could have its rego etc put on hold
The term Tinny house could mean a house that can be moved if it was contructed in a way so its transport could be facilitated without major changes to its structure and evironment
A recent environment court decision considers whether a tiny house is a structure and needs to comply with relevant RMA and district plan rules. See it at this link: https://tompkinswake.co.nz/insights/knowledge/is-a-tiny-house-a-structure-under-the-rma/
Judge Dwyer's January 2020 decision related to a tiny house issue with Hutt City Council is a delight to read. See it at: https://environmentcourt.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/2020-NZEnvC-006-Antoun-v-Hutt-City-Council.pdf
It contains this sort of comment: "The process whereby a tiny house, two completely separate axles and two wheels, all unconnected to each other, can be registered as a trailer is a mystery to me, but I was advised by Mr Milne that it is possible to register something before it is finished...."
More critically, in terms of 'fixed to land' issue. The court found: "If the question as to whether or not the tiny house is fixed to the land is to be determined on the basis of Mr Milne's definition, then I find as a matter of fact that the tiny house has been placed on or attached to the property in a way that it does not move easily. I find the tiny house to be fixed to land in terms of the definition advanced by Mr Milne...."
Post a Comment