Tiny Homes Rules: Target Date: Summer 2022, By Jondi Gumz

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Target Date: Summer 2022

By Jondi Gumz

If Santa Cruz County permitted tiny homes, would they be affordable?

What’s the definition of affordable?

For county planner Daisy Allen, who is drafting the tiny homes permit regulations, that is a good question, one she’ll consider.

The county timetable calls for discussions with the Housing Advisory Commission, January to March 2022, a Planning Commission study session in January or February, Planning Commission hearing in February or March, County Board of Supervisors hearing in the spring and California Coastal Commission hearing in summer.

The challenge is to have rules that permit tiny homes as affordable housing and avoid polluting drinking water and stream habitat, especially in unincorporated areas with septic systems instead of sewage lines.

“Sewage, where it goes, it has to be addressed,” said Marilyn Underwood, county director of Environmental Health. “With tiny homes, kitchen and bath, you’re going to increase the load.”

For those whose lost homes in the 2020 CZU lightning wildfire, time is of the essence.

“The clock is ticking because of our insurance,” one speaker old Allen at the Zoom meeting. “Most of us have limits, 3 years after the fire date.”

A small business owner in Ben Lomond said, “We spent so much on a building permit we ran out of money.”

Allen, who has looked at tiny home regulations in other jurisdictions, found one area where inspections were required after five years.

Would tiny homes we allowed on “unbuildable” lots?

Allen was not sure, given that steep slopes and environmental habitat can be issues.

Would the permits be ministerial over the counter?

“That’s an open question,” Allen said.

Several people asked if a composting toilet would be allowed as a stand-alone system.

Allen didn’t have an answer but Underwood said composting toilets are allowed as long as there is also a backup system.

One man said his installation of a regular septic system with a leach field cost $12,000.

Another said such a system could cost $50,000 to $70,000, perhaps topping the cost of a tiny home.

Underwood agreed such systems can be expensive when the house is close to a stream.

To another question about whether haulaways would work, Underwood said the decision is based on repairability, not economic concerns.

She added that haulaways are not cheap, costing $500-$600 for a service.

“I’m not sure they are economically feasible,” she said.

Another asked for a composting toilet pilot program, which Allen said would depend on interest.

A speaker pointed out the schematic designs Allen presented showed a tiny home on a standard-size lot and that parcels are bigger in South County, five, 50, 500 acres.

“The point is to get more housing,” the speaker said, asking for an example of tiny homes on a large lot.

One speaker suggested allowing a tiny office on wheels, which would not have a kitchen but provide more space for a family where adults are working at home, not commuting to work.

The county is asking residents to fill out a survey on tiny homes, which is at http://www.sccoplanning.com/ PlanningHome/SustainabilityPlanning/ tinyhomes.aspx

“We’ve already had 100 responses,” Allen said. n

Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz Daisy Allen participates in a Zoom call.

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For questions, email daisy.allen@santacruzcounty.us or cal 831-454-2801.

Zoning information: Email Planning. ZoningInfo@santacruzcounty.us or call 831-454-2130.

Building permit information: email Planning.BuildingInfo@santacruzcounty.us