Whereas communities across BC are experiencing a housing crisis, and the full spectrum of affordable small housing forms and options that could meet their needs are not currently available to them; And whereas tiny homes, single detached housing units less than 46.45 square metres 500 square feet distinct from mobile homes or recreational vehicles and meant for full-time living, could support infill densification as laneway alternatives, and yet some of their features are not permissible as per the BC Building Code and the National Building Code, therefore unavailable to communities in need of financially accessible and affordable small housing options: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province to work with the BC Building Code Interpretation Committee to review the 14 Code change requests ranging from application of the code, definitions within the code, combination rooms, ceiling heights, doorways, stairs, guards, smoke detectors, escape windows and lateral loads to plumbing fixtures made at the federal building code level in support of mobile tiny houses in March 2017 by the Canadian Home Builders Association; And be it further resolved the Province should incorporate these changes into Part 9 of the BC Building Code, that would define tiny houses as allowable permanent dwellings, and thus permit them to be constructed where local government official community plans and zoning bylaws deem them appropriate.
