Karen and Tom Rogers lived with their daughter in a recreational vehicle until a tree destroyed it during a storm. Lil’ Lodges sells Park Model RVs, but customized this as a manufactured home, according to wydaily. But without HUD seals of approval, county compliance head Al Maddalena says the home would have to be disassembled and evaluated by a third-party engineer, as Park Model RVs are not allowed in MHCs.
The family has appealed and will meet with the Board of Zoning Appeals. If their appeal is denied, they can appeal to circuit court, apply to change the county code or move to another county.
Bear Creek, Alabama-based Lil’ Lodges sells 250 units annually for around $55,000. The Rogers custom home has triple-framed windows, five axles, hurricane straps deep in the ground, an upstairs loft guest bedroom and a master bedroom with a bay window. The home will withstand 130 mph winds. When it’s time to move, the couple has to disconnect utilities. As MHProNews knows, while the tiny home movement is slowly growing, a comparably-priced manufactured home would provide more living space.
As the Tiny House movement spreads, issues like this one involving Tiny Houses are likely to arise more often. Pam Danner, MH Program Administrator at HUD, said recently as part of a public statement during the Florida Manufactured Housing Association (FMHA) annual event that HUD is looking into this issue, precisely because Tiny Houses aren’t manufactured homes. ##
(Editor’s Note: HUD and other views on the Park Model RV issue in MHCs is linked here.)
(Photo credit: Marie Albiges/wydaily – Tom Rogers with his tiny home)
