The Planning and Zoning Law contains various provisions addressing housing in California, including providing for the creation by local ordinance or ministerial approval of accessory dwelling units, as defined. Existing law requires an ordinance under these provisions to impose standards on accessory dwelling units and require that accessory dwelling units comply with specified requirements. Existing law requires a permit application for an accessory dwelling unit or a junior accessory dwelling unit be considered and approved ministerially without discretionary review or hearing, as provided. If a local agency has not adopted an ordinance governing accessory dwelling unit creation, existing law requires the local agency to approve or disapprove the application ministerially without discretionary review. Existing law imposes specified limitations on fees charged for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit.

This bill would amend Government Code 65852.2 to expand the above-described provisions to additionally provide for the creation of a movable tiny home, in the same manner as an accessory dwelling unit. The bill would define the term “movable tiny home” to mean a separate, independent dwelling unit that meets certain criteria, including that it is no larger than 400 square feet and provides, among other things, living facilities for a household, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. The bill would also require that a movable tiny home under these provisions possess certification of compliance with specified standards of the American National Standards Institute.