(Salem, Oregon) July 19, 2019 - While tiny home living continues to grow in popularity, Oregon regulations have failed to adopt new square feet standards and regulations, which vary from city to city. Tiny living advocates hope to educate citizens and policymakers at a symposium Friday, Aug. 16, from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. at the Polk County Fairgrounds.
Featured speakers include filmmakers and co-founders of Tiny House Expedition, Alexis Stephens and Christian Parsons. Their highly acclaimed docu-series Tiny Living Legally explores the potential benefits tiny houses can bring to a community, the legal obstacles and how these are being overcome in a growing number of cities.
Other state’s regulations are amenable to tiny homes, but Oregon’s are not. While tiny living is both economically and environmentally friendly, many jurisdictions have restrictions about home size and placement that keep tiny home living legally out of reach.
Renee McLaughlin, tiny house owner and organizer of TinyFest NorthWest, is hoping the symposium inspires real dialog with rule-makers about tiny living.
“The rules and regulations regarding tiny living are murky at best,” said McLaughlin. “Currently there are standards for manufactured homes, modular homes and recreational vehicles, but not tiny houses. Regulations are not standardized throughout the region and they’re up to interpretation by local officials. This makes it hard to relocate a tiny house that may have met standards in one location but not in another.”
This lack of consistency is confusing to both consumers and regulators. People want to do things the correct way, but right now, that is not clear, she said.
“For me, it’s about choice,” continued McLaughlin. “People want the choice to live in an environmentally friendly and economically responsible way. The movement isn’t going away and we have to address the rules around it.”
Additional speakers include local tiny house builder and regulations advocate, Nathan Watson, owner of Tiny Smart House, and Kevin Polk, executive director of the American Tiny House Association.
The symposium precedes TinyFest NorthWest, Aug. 17-18, a two-day event that celebrates tiny living with tiny home showcases, speaker presentations, and workshops also at the Polk County Fairgrounds.
Policymakers are especially encouraged to attend. Registration is free, yet event organizers request an RSVP by Aug. 2 at symposium@tinyfest.events.
Learn more at www.TinyFest.events.
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About the Tiny House Symposium: Designed for those involved in community planning, zoning and building codes, city managers and community advocates to learn about zoning, building codes, and regulations that affect tiny living. Counties covered: Lane, Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Polk, Marion, Clackamas, Yamhill, Tillamook, Washington, Multnomah, Columbia, Clatsop. RSVP requested at symposium@tinyfest.events
About TinyFest NorthWest: Come celebrate tiny living at TinyFest NorthWest! Aug 17-18 at the Polk County Fairgrounds. Explore a variety of tiny houses from pro-builders and DIYers. Tour tiny houses on wheels, backyard cottages, shipping container homes, vans, bus conversions and more! Enjoy the Simple Living Marketplace, meet the builders, hear live music and eat good food. Soak in all the knowledge and spark new ideas! TinyFest NorthWest will feature a full line-up of speakers and workshops to inspire and inform. Plus, builders and DIYers love to share their expertise and experiences. www.Tinyfestnorthwest.com.