Going Small

The tiny building trend

by bryan henson

over the past few years, backyard buildings are one part of the building sector that have been on a tremendous growth spree. Known as cottages, tiny homes, cabanas, workshops, backyard offices, granny flats or the more official “accessory structures,” small, backyard buildings are growing in popularity for people seeking something other than a remodel or new home for their changing lifestyle. Building a large, new home or doing an extensive remodel can be expensive. Sometimes a larger project just doesn’t fit the space. Small structures tend to have a coziness that larger buildings just don’t have, and because of their smaller stature the space required and price tag make them attractive option.

Types of Backyard Buildings

Backyard cottages come in all shapes and sizes ranging from just a100 square feet to over 1,000 square feet, however the most common sizes are typically 400-800 square feet. Some are custom built, some are pre-fab (built off site in a factory and craned in), others are constructed from metal shipping containers and yet others are built on flat bed trailers offering a larger degree of mobility. These tiny structures can take on any architectural form. options range from Craftsman, Bungalow, mediterranean, and Victorian styles to more modern, contemporary styles.

Just because the structures are small doesn’t mean that they are lacking in any way. most have everything that goes into larger buildings: audio visual systems, fine woodwork, kitchens, baths, and fireplaces. The focus of small buildings is quality of life and use, not quantity of space. In her impactful, landmark book on the subject, The Not So Big House, Sarah Susanka said that, “a house is so much more than its size and volume, neither of which has anything to do with comfort”.

The spaces we tend to like best have more to do with feelings of intimacy, warmth, and comfort than they do with formal, grand, or expansive spaces. Small structure design focuses on multi-use spaces that achieve those feelings of livability and comfort without the need for wasted space.

Why So Popular?

According to Kevin Casey, founder of New Avenue homes in Berkeley, CA, who specializes in small homes, most clients have multiple goals for their backyard structure. family changes are the largest motivator. People are making space for a child coming home from college, or a parent moving in, or are downsizing themselves to make room for the next generation. New Avenue homes’ experience is that hardly anyone is building these structures for income, though many people reference that they could use it for that purpose if they needed to.

In our own work we have found that backyard offices are becoming more desirable. With more and more people working from home, we have seen increasing interest in backyard studios and offices. dedicated work space outside of the immediate home, but still on the property, offers a quiet and convenient place to work.

Permitting Small Structures

The permitting process for small structures varies tremendously depending upon what jurisdiction you are in and the size of the structure. In most cases, any structure less than 120 square feet (s.f.) doesn’t require a permit, however a permit is required for electrical and plumbing connections.

“Accessory structures” can be built on lots less than 1 acre but are limited to 800 s.f. and can only have a toilet and washbasin – no wetbar, shower or cooking options. Guesthouses, artist studios and cabañas are for lots larger than one acre and are still limited to 800 s.f. The main difference is that they can have a counter top up to 7 feet in length, a under counter refrigerator and a full bath. fully permitted second units can range from 600 s.f. to 1200 s.f. depending up on the size of the lot. Second units have no limitations on amenities and are legal to use for rental income. many have tried to ignore city, county, or state laws (or did not check into them), or decided to skip getting a permit, and were then fined, some required to demolish their improvements and/or structures.

A Sustainable Option

Backyard buildings are inherently more sustainable than traditional building. Their smaller size means that fewer resources are used in their construction, resulting in less mining, manufacturing and transportation. Also, because they can connect with existing infrastructure (water, power and sewer) they typically have lower development impacts.

As a custom home builder, I’ve learned that though every client has a different desire for what goes into the house, most, if not all, gravitate to spaces that are comfortable, warm and intimate. And when it comes to how big the house is, one size does not fit all. A backyard building might just be the best option for you.