Bogalusa council approves 12-month moratorium on tiny homes while planning and zoning crafts rules

BOGALUSA, La. — The Bogalusa City Council on June 2 voted to impose a 12-month moratorium on the construction, installation and placement of tiny homes, tiny cottages and tiny villages within city limits while planning and zoning develops formal standards.

Councilwoman Hillman read the resolution placing the 12-month pause, and the measure passed after public comment and council discussion. The moratorium applies to freestanding tiny structures used as dwellings; attached storage buildings are excluded. Planning and zoning will draft required specifications and return to the council for consideration.

The moratorium drew sharp public comment at the hearing. A resident from 202 German Street warned the moratorium would “restrict affordable housing” and argued tiny homes “provide attainable home ownership for young adults, seniors, veterans and working families” who otherwise could not buy conventional homes. He cited a national shortage of affordable homes to make the case that local policy should expand, not limit, housing options.

“Tiny homes are not a threat to our community, they’re an opportunity,” the resident said during public comment.

Council members said the pause is intended to let planning and zoning set standards addressing safety, utilities and how tiny-home development would fit into the city’s zoning map. A council speaker summarized recent research and planning feedback, saying some structures being used as dwellings were entering the city as storage sheds; the council discussed adopting the Louisiana Building Code and the International Property Code for such structures and requiring running water, sewer connections and that dwellings be properly secured (strapped down) to reduce hurricane or flood risks.

Councilwoman Hillman said the 12 months would give officials “plenty of time to get what they need to get” and to write specifications, permitting procedures and oversight. Councilman Dunaway and others pressed for designated locations or “tiny home villages” on larger tracts rather than scattered placement across residential neighborhoods; multiple speakers suggested concentrating tiny homes on industrial parcels or other sites to protect surrounding property values and simplify services.

Several speakers urged stronger enforcement of existing codes rather than a moratorium. John McNav and others argued the city should use current code-enforcement mechanisms to ensure quality and safety while planning and zoning crafts long-term rules.

Next steps: planning and zoning will draft a code-and-zoning package that addresses structure specifications, setbacks, utilities and designated locations and return the draft to the council. Council members said they expect the work to proceed within months and flagged the June 16 council meeting as the next scheduled session where follow-up could appear.

Authorities referenced: the proposed moratorium discussion invoked the Louisiana Building Code and the International Property Code; the resolution text and the council’s action will be recorded in the council minutes and the planning-and-zoning submittal for an ordinance.

The council did not adopt detailed ordinance language at the June 2 meeting; the moratorium is a temporary measure intended to provide planning time.