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Safford staff begins Title 15 building-code update; council keeps tiny-home appendix separate
Summary
Staff briefed the council on a Title 15 update to align local building codes with the current code cycle and discussed Appendix BB (tiny-home provisions). Barbara Rice explained Appendix BB allows homes roughly 400 sq ft or less; council directed staff to handle tiny-home rules as a separate zoning/code process and not adopt Appendix BB tonight.
The council held a work session on updates to Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) and discussed whether to adopt Appendix BB of the International Residential Code, which covers tiny homes.
Planning staff said building codes are on an older cycle and recommended updates coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions. Jamie said the city contracted Shumskota & Associates to review existing codes and suggest amendments. Staff recommended a work session to gather community input before any ordinance is advanced.
Barbara Rice (technical reviewer) explained Appendix BB: it provides alternate standards for very small dwellings (commonly 400 square feet or smaller), relaxing requirements for room size, stairways and lofts and providing criteria for sleeping lofts and reduced ceiling heights. She described Appendix BB as a way to allow smaller units to meet a distinct code path rather than stretching single‑family minimums.
Council members discussed whether adopting the appendix now would allow tiny homes citywide on existing lot standards (6,000‑square-foot minimum lots), and many said the better approach is a separate zoning overlay or planned-unit-development discussion. Staff said they will research other jurisdictions and return with a more comprehensive package in the fall. The council did not adopt Appendix BB and directed staff to return with a standalone tiny-homes proposal if desired.
