Ojai council advances draft ordinance to allow movable tiny houses with limits, workshop set

The Ojai City Council on April 8 introduced a draft ordinance that would create a standalone regulatory path for movable tiny houses in the city, direct staff to host a public workshop, and return with the item for a second reading after the workshop.

Council members framed the action as an attempt to broaden housing options while keeping controls in place. The draft ordinance would set a 440-square-foot maximum, cap height at 14 feet, apply 4-foot side and rear setbacks, and require design compatibility with the primary residence. The council also directed staff to include composting toilets as an allowable option for units that cannot reasonably connect to sewer, to prohibit connection to private septic as a means of compliance, and to limit approvals to 20 units in the first calendar year. Staff will hold a public…