”An Act Regarding The Regulation Of Tiny Houses ”
Written by Janet Thome
An Act Regarding The Regulation Of Tiny Houses ”LD 1981, sponsored by Senator Michael Carpenter was signed by Governor Janet T. Mills Brown on March 18th, 2020. This bill proposes to dene what a tiny house is and to allow for the titling of a tiny house as a camp trailer or a trailer. An Act Regarding the Regulation of Tiny HomesEmergency preamble.
Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, the Secretary of State, industry, and individuals have an urgent need to clarify the regulatory landscape so that tiny homes can be registered and titled and the industry may resume production; and Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Tiny House Law Passed In Maine
”An Act Regarding The Regulation Of Tiny Houses ”
LD 1981, sponsored by Senator Michael Carpenter was signed by Governor Janet T. Mills Brown on March 18th, 2020. This bill proposes to define what a tiny house is and to allow for the titling of a tiny house as a camp trailer or a trailer.
80-C. Tiny home. “Tiny home” means a living space permanently constructed on a frame or chassis and designed for use as permanent living quarters that:
A. Complies with American National Standards Institute standard A 119.5 on plumbing, propane, fire and life safety and construction or National Fire Protection Association standard 1192 on plumbing, propane, and fire and life safety for recreational vehicles;
B. Does not exceed 400 square feet in size;
C. Does not exceed any dimension allowed for operation on a public way under this Title; and
D. Is a vehicle without motive power?
Learn More At Tiny Homes Of Maine
Special thanks to Dan Fitzpatrick, the President of THIA, and Corinne Watson with Tiny Homes Of Maine for spearheading the advocacy efforts of this win for the tiny home industry.
Backstory
Mobile Tiny Houses In Maine Hit A Major Roadblock
One of the attractions of tiny houses is the ability to place the small structures on a trailer with wheels, creating a mobile — or portable — dwelling. This allows the occupants the option of moving whenever the mood strikes them.
But this modern-day nomadic lifestyle hit a roadblock in Maine this past summer when municipalities were notified by the Maine Secretary of State that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles would no longer register, assign vehicle identification numbers to or title tiny homes on wheels.
The registration and title rules change in Maine does not impact tiny homes that are built or placed on permanent footings or foundations.
