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Natchitoches council adopts ordinance to regulate tiny homes
Summary
The Natchitoches City Council on Nov. 10 adopted Ordinance No. 036 of 2025 to incorporate tiny-home standards into the city building code, requiring plan review, setting structure standards and directing individual placement reviews; the measure passed by roll call vote.
The Natchitoches City Council on Nov. 10 adopted Ordinance No. 036 of 2025, updating the city's building code to incorporate the International Residential Code appendix on tiny homes and to set local rules for placement and construction. Councilman PT moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call vote.
The ordinance amends section 8-1 of the city code to adopt the tiny-homes appendix as official building code language and adds provisions that will, unusually for the city, regulate minimum building size and specific building standards. "This sets the building materials. It sets the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etcetera," said Planning staff, summarizing the technical changes the ordinance brings.
Planning staff told the council that though the city usually regulates lot size rather than structure size, the new language will define allowable tiny-home construction and require plan reviews. Staff said each tiny-home application will be reviewed individually "to determine where they want to place them, how they're gonna be placed" and to avoid placement in established neighborhoods where lot sizes differ substantially.
Residents asked how the ordinance treats two common tiny-home approaches. "Is this just adopting the international standards ... or is this the city actually making something new?" asked Wayne Holm, a resident. Planning staff replied that the ordinance adopts ICC standards while adding local placement review. Jennifer Franklin, a resident, asked whether portable storage buildings converted into homes would qualify. Planning staff said plans submitted to the city and to the State Fire Marshal determine eligibility, and noted ICC guidance that the tiny-home threshold relates to structure size (Planning staff referenced a 400-square-foot guideline).
On roll call the clerk recorded affirmative votes from Eli, Nelson, Smith Kuykendahl, Harrington and PT; the motion carried. The ordinance's effective date was not specified in the meeting record.
Mayor announced the item was adopted and the council moved to subsequent agenda business. The council expects to return to new zoning and development matters at its Nov. 24 meeting.
