Mar. 13, 2024
HARRISBURG – Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland) today announced she will soon be introducing legislation to make it easier for local governments to include tiny houses in their communities as part of a package of legislation aimed at addressing affordable housing in the Commonwealth.
“Currently, there is a lack of clear guidance making it difficult for local governments to establish parameters by which tiny houses would be permissible and permanent single-family dwellings,” Major said “Due to housing affordability problems we are experiencing, we need to look for ways to help communities that want to provide for tiny houses. I’m hopeful this legislation will advance quickly.”
The bill would amend Act 45 of 1999 to require the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to promulgate regulations adopting Appendix Q “Tiny Houses,” part of the 2018 International Residential Code. In addition, the bill would 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 as a permanent residence. In addition, it relaxes various requirements in the body of the code for houses that are 400 square feet or less. It allows for features such as compact stairs, including handrails and headroom; ladders; reduced ceiling heights in lofts; and emergency escape and rescue opening requirements of lofts.
The 60th Legislative District covers Bethel, Burrell, Cadogan, East Franklin, Gilpin, Kiskiminetas, Manor, North Buffalo, Parks, South Bend and South Buffalo townships and Apollo, Applewold, Ford City, Ford Cliff, Freeport, Leechburg, Manorville, North Apollo and West Kittanning boroughs in Armstrong County and Allegheny Township, East Vandergrift, Hyde Park, Vandergrift and West Leechburg boroughs, and part of the city of Lower Burrell in Westmoreland County.
Representative Abby Major
60th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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