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Council directs staff to scope tiny-home/RV code options amid housing pressures
Summary
After hearing models from Portland and Springfield, councilors asked staff to scope a code update, safety standards and enforcement options for tiny homes and RVs as a potential housing tool; staff will return with a scoped work plan for council consideration.
The Hood River City Council on May 11 directed staff to scope possible code amendments to allow limited tiny-home and RV uses as part of a broader look at attainable housing options.
Dustin (staff presenter) summarized model approaches used in Portland and Springfield, noting those programs include registration, safety requirements and restrictions on short-term rentals. "Really, they're treated the same way," he said of tiny homes on wheels and RVs when regulating them as vehicle-based dwellings.
Councilors expressed a mix of support and caution. Some members said tiny homes could be a low-cost way to add housing if rules guard against safety and short-term rental loopholes. Councilor Cavalieri and others said the city should require structural safety standards (carbon monoxide detectors, fire alarms) and limit where such units can be sited. Concerns included enforcement burden, neighborhood impacts if tiny homes are used on private lots, and whether permitting would divert staff capacity from other work.
The council approved a motion directing staff to prepare a short scope-of-work that describes options, likely safety standards, community engagement needs and an estimated workload so the council can consider adding the project to a future work plan. Staff said a fully scoped project could vary greatly in effort depending on whether the council wants to adopt an immediate code package modeled on other cities or plan a separate, publicly engaged legislative process.
The motion passed after councilors agreed the idea requires careful public engagement and technical review. Staff will return with a scope and recommended timing for the project, and placement on a future work plan if council wishes to proceed.
