While the Rogers’ say the county is trying to get rid of them, county attorney James Barnett is asking the VA Department of Housing and Community Development to determine if the home meets state building codes. York County Building Code official Marianne Harris says there is no seal documenting it meets the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) building standards, and her inspection classifies it as “an unregistered industrialized building.”
While Lil’ Lodges states the tiny home is a recreational vehicle (RV), Amanda Pearson, a spokesperson for the state attorney general’s office, states “We legally have to determine if we can enforce any of our regulations on an RV.” Barnett states he will ask the AG if the county can legally amend its zoning ordinance to allow the home in parts of the county.
Meanwhile, Board of Supervisors member Walt Zaremba says perhaps the state should determine a path that would allow these structures, providing their construction standards meet health and safety codes, even if it involves passing a statute through the legislature. Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Shepperd says, “I have had builders who have been in this business for a while that have said the tiny homes — the affordable aspect of it — might be the way of the future.” ##
(Photo credit: daily press–Karen and Tom Rogers tiny home by Lil’ Lodges)
