Earlier this month, an amendment was passed allowing tiny houses to be erected within the city of Atlanta, Georgia. AJC reports that the Atlanta City Council approved the new amendment within the city’s zoning legislature as a means of addressing affordable housing issues. As a result, “accessory dwelling units” are now allowed.
Two-family residential neighborhoods within the city are affected by the amendment. Within the R-5 zone, there are now no restrictions on the size of a housing structure. Previously, city ordinances required structures to be over 750 square feet. A statement within the amendment legislature reads: “accessory dwelling units without off-street parking on parcels without a curbcut or parcels without off-street parking.” Essentially, this makes the affected areas more attractive to citizens who don’t own cars.
The legislature says nothing about tiny homes on wheels, which is curious, as many tiny house owners make their homes transportable. Doing such, however, subjects the homes to a whole new set of rules. What is clear is that the amendment does not allow for standalone tiny homes on their own lots. In fact, it specifically prohibits subdividing accessory units from the primary house.
There are numerous reasons one might desire to build a tiny home. Not only are the quaint abodes more affordable than traditional houses, they offer enthusiasts of minimalistic living the type of simple comfort desired – but within city limits.
Commenting on the development, Atlanta city councilman Kwanza Hall stated:
“The sky’s the limit to what’s possible. It’s just up to us as a community to figure out what we want to do, what we envision in the future, and opening up as many possibilities as we can dream up.”
Via Curbed
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