So what would it take to be in the zoning code to make a
Tiny House in New Jersey-
Let’s start with some of the basic info from the NJ Uniform
Construction Codes and consider that for the most part, it might be able to be
done and in code.
A few assumptions:
1.
Let’s assume this house is for TWO (2) total
people to stay there.
2.
Let’s also assume that it doesn’t have to be
portable but can be on a fixed foundation.
§ 5:28-1.11 Use and occupancy of space
(a) Every dwelling
unit shall contain at least 150 square feet of floor space for the first
occupant
thereof and at least 100 additional square feet of floor
space for every additional occupant thereof, the floor space to be calculated
on the base of total habitable room area.
(b) Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one
occupant shall contain at least 70 square
feet of floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping
purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 50 square feet of
floor space for each occupant thereof.
(c) At least one-half of the floor area of every
habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least
seven feet. The floor area of that part of any room where
the ceiling is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor
area in computing the total floor area in the room for the purpose of determining
the maximum permissible occupancy thereof.
So here is the basic
square footage that would be required:
Bedroom: For two
people a bedroom would require a minimum square feet of 120 square feet.
Common areas: For
total habitable rooms 250 square feet at a minimum of floor space would be
required.
So for the first round of thoughts on this- basically you
would need a bedroom that is about 10 x 12 and an area as a minimum of 25 x 10
for the overall internal tiny house in total.
Not so tiny, but not totally incapable of being mapped out if you consider
the top bedroom of 120 sq ft part of the (a) requirement of the 250. So I am now pondering all of these little
twists and turns on making a tiny little Allison Woolbert house J
Next considerations for my tiny house- a bathroom and
kitchen and how to make that totally awesome tiny house computer room!
Disclaimer: Allison Woolbert is NOT a licensed builder
nor is she suggesting she is. This is a
pondering of the considerations of how to build a tiny house within the
constraints of New Jersey Law and Building Code requirements and making a new
fun project to consider.
250 SqFt is pretty small even for one person and would have to have a loft bed.there is much to consider given where you are going get real winter triple glazed windows would be a must big "R'S" in the insulation also a must and what type of heating . then there is the living area kitchen dining and living would have to be whole down stairs with a small bathroom / shower.
ReplyDelete500 SqFt would be smarter me thinks which is still not that big and depending on the property you could put in a garden.botton line do your home work look at plans
Cheryl
I think you are right- even 500 sq ft is a bit small. But just in the sense of minimum NJ requirements. that is the start of one bedroom and the first thoughts on minimums. Then everything else is what next (ie; ;bathroom, heating, kitchen, walking room, places for dungeon :) )
DeleteA dungeon is definitely a necessary item! The first home I owned was exactly 600 sqft, and was identical to every other house on the street there in Austin, TX. It consisted of 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and living room. We lived there with 2 teen children, and then added 2 more - infant twins. It was tight, but we did it. I sold it about a year after the twins' birth, and we bought a 2,600 sqft home. Point is, you can do it. It is all in how comfortable you can be in a small space. I currently live in an apartment that is just over 600 sqft, and I am comfortable here.
ReplyDelete