The City Council of Spur, Texas proclaimed it was the first tiny home friendly town in the nation in July of 2014.[1] The Council realized the popularity of tiny homes due to the economic feasibility and freedom associated with them. [2] Additionally, the town saw tiny homes as a way to facilitate local growth.[3] The ordinance generally permits tiny homes in the city by right.[4] However, individuals need a variance to have a tiny home in seven of the city’s subdivisions.[5] Additionally, all builders must acquire a permit prior to building and the permit application must contain descriptions of the materials being used, plat or blueprints which identify connection to utilities, and the legal property description.[6]

Tiny homes on wheels are not permitted, unless the wheels are removed and it is tied to a foundation.[7] Otherwise, the tiny home must have a cement footing of at least six inches.[8] Additionally, the tiny home must be connected to the city utilities, and compositing toilets are not permitted.[9] To qualify as a tiny home, it must have less than 900 square feet of living space.[10] However, there is not a minimum requirement of square feet living space.[11] With this tiny home ordinance, the town is able to regulate what is built, while still allowing a viable option for affordable housing.

To view the ordinance, see Spur, Tex., Ordinance 677.

To view the brief, see Allow Tiny Homes and Compact Living Spaces.

[1] Welcome to Spur, SpurFreedom, https://perma.cc/NHD8-JTNM (last visited May 23, 2018).

[2] Id.

[3] See The Most Complete Resource on the Tiny House Movement in Spur, Texas, Spur Tiny Houses, spur.lifeonthe.cloud (last visited Mar. 14, 2018).

[4] Spur Tiny House Packet, www.spurfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Tiny-House-Packet.pdf, 9 (last visited Apr. 15, 2018).

[5] Spur, Tex., Ordinance 677, § III(1)-(2) (amended Mar. 15, 2016).

[6] Spur, Tex., Ordinance 677, § III(3)-(5).

[7] Spur, Tex., Ordinance 677, § IV(1).

[8] Id.

[9] Spur, Tex., Ordinance 677, § IV(E).

[10] Spur, Tex., Ordinance 677, § II(1)(H).

[11] See Id.