Council asks staff to study ‘movable tiny homes’ as a regulated accessory option

Council members directed staff to investigate movable tiny homes as a potential regulated accessory housing type after a preliminary presentation and public comment.

Deputy Mayor Ben Melendez introduced the item as a concept raised by a resident. Ellen Stone, who said she helped permit the first movable tiny house in the San Diego region, described how the units are constructed like traditional homes (stick framing, pitched roofs) rather than RVs, and recommended third‑party certification, pitched‑roof design features, and design standards to distinguish tiny homes from recreational vehicles. Contractor Bill Kavanaugh said construction and site‑work costs can be lower than a conventional ADU; he suggested local rules that would avoid requiring fire sprinklers or full concrete pads in some cases to keep costs down, while acknowledging utility hookup and sewer/septic considerations.

Council members raised questions about lot size, setbacks, whether ADU and state law would constrain local rules, development‑impact fees, and potential unintended consequences if the units were used as short‑term rentals or sited tightly across neighborhoods. City Attorney Walter Chung said movable tiny homes currently fall outside state ADU definitions and local zoning controls could be used to regulate them, though state law could change. Councilmembers asked staff to analyze examples from San Diego and Los Angeles, review third‑party certification approaches, determine reasonable limits (setbacks, lot-size thresholds if any), outline building and fire‑safety standards, and describe development impact‑fee and utility implications. Staff were directed to return with formal recommendations for council consideration.