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Council hears code‑enforcement dispute and wider questions about tiny‑house rules
Summary
A property dispute over a small dwelling prompted a wider discussion that planning staff say the city has no ordinance defining tiny houses; councilmembers directed the planning commission to review rules about minimum square footage, sewer service and fire code compliance.
A code‑enforcement matter about a small dwelling on a Fourth Street lot evolved into a broader discussion about how Helena‑West Helena regulates tiny houses and whether the city needs an ordinance to set minimum square footage and fire‑safety requirements.
Bill Miles, owner of Miles Real Estate, said his client purchased a lot with an old pool and that the new lot owner was willing to fix code issues in steps. Miles asked the council for time to complete repairs and suggested a phased compliance plan. He told the council he and Grayson Gordon had visited the property and that some mowing and trimming had already been completed.
City planning staff and code enforcement raised a larger issue. Jim Montague, urban planning (title in meeting), told the council, "the city has nothing on the books about tiny houses," and explained that the local code does not define minimum square footage for tiny houses or address how they fit with state and federal fire‑protection requirements. Montague urged that the planning commission take up the subject to establish an ordinance and that the commission meet to consider minimum dimensions and code compliance before the council grants any formal permissions for tiny houses.
Code enforcement officer Carol (Cal) Woodridge supplied staff correspondence with the property owner and advised a written notice had been issued; the email trail and a dated letter addressed to the Fourth Street address were included in the council packet. Council members agreed to send the matter to the planning commission for review; the planning commission meeting was referenced as occurring the following week, and council directed staff to coordinate that review and to provide clear guidance on sewer service, classification of unit types (e.g., trailer versus tiny house), and any temporary relief options while the commission studies a permanent ordinance.
No change to code or a waiver of code enforcement action was made at the meeting; councilmembers deferred formal action until the planning commission provides recommendations.
