Page 13 - The Tiny House Tactical Guide, 2018 Edition

NAME THAT HOUSE TYPE

IFFERENT HOUSING TYPES HAVE to adhere to different
building codes. This makes sense when the code is intended
to increase safety and building resilience. But these rules
Dare sometimes arbitrary and class centric. Jefre C. Outlaw, a
financier with a keen interest in tiny homes, offers the following list of
housing types to help clarify the current options. Not included are tiny
site-built homes which generally must be built to the same building code
as other, larger site-built homes.
1. THOW (tiny house on wheels): Usually under 400 sf. Built to the
ANSI 119.5 certification standard (RVIA). Steel frame with wheels and
a VIN and looked at legally as an RV. Built to last 30 years. Up to 12 year
loans with not so great terms. Cannot live in them permanently (more
than 6 months) per Federal Laws. PHOTO: WWW.360ARMENIA.COM
2. Modular Home: Also referred to as a tiny home on foundation
(THOF). IRC certification state by state. Typically over 400 sf so that
you can get a 15-or 30-year mortgage on the unit through the secondary Ready to roll. Modular and mobile homes typically arrive on site
market (Fannie Mae/FHA). Built to last 50 years. on wheels, but are typically removed from the trailer and welded
3. Manufactured Homes (HUD homes): Single wide, double wide, onto a foundation. This is often the only way they can get a
etc... Built to a generally lower standard than site-built homes. Some certificate of occupancy and a conventional mortgage.
zoning does not allow them, even when attached to a foundation. Unless
built “above code,” we do not recommend them for areas vulnerable to Building code jurisdiction is local city/county/state regs. Built to last
high winds. 50+ years.
4. Prefab Component Build (PCB): Also referred to as a flat pack 5. Park Model RVs. Larger in both width and interior headroom than
build. Made with SIPs and dried in approximately threedays. 400 sf to road-ready RVs, these units typically can only be place in RV parks, and
1,400 sf. Solves many problems when building ADU’s/Granny Flats. are classified as RVs for purposes of loans and building codes.

THE TINY HOUSE TACTICAL GUIDE 13