The City of Buffalo is offering guidance for people that are interested in building tiny homes, by providing them with better roadmaps to do so. Mayor Brown and his administration are in the process of educating residents about the benefits of constructing micro accommodations, which are dwellings that are 400 square-feet or less in floor area (excluding lots).
As part of the educational process, the City is doing its part to make building codes and guidelines readily available for property owners, architects, and builders. Ultimately, while the City is “prompting” people to build the homes, the structures must comply with the NYS Residential Building Code.
Along with building the homes on vacant lots that might not be large enough for standard home sizes, the City is suggesting that homeowners consider building small dwellings on their properties (a detached house) as a way to accommodate an aging relative, for example. Of course these smaller units would be suitable as Airbnbs, or as supplemental income properties, while creating more affordable dwellings in Buffalo.
The City has offered the following tips for Tiny Houses in Buffalo:
The house must be built on a foundation and not wheels.
The city’s Property Maintenance Code sets limits for occupancy based on floor area. A tiny home is not suitable for large households containing 4 or more people.
There is not a building size requirement in the city of Buffalo. Depending on whether there is already a house on the lot, your tiny home will be considered a carriage house or detached house and will have to comply with the requirements for those building types set forth in the city’s Green Code.
Benefits of Tiny Homes:
Lower energy and maintenance costs.
Generally inexpensive to build.
Property taxes and insurance could be lower if it’s the only taxable structure on the parcel.
Potentially can earn additional rental income.
Ability to build on narrow or small lots.
Decreased carbon footprint.
For more information on zoning for Tiny Homes email jfell@buffalony.gov
For building code for Tiny Homes email mpiccolo@buffalony.gov
To take it a step further, maybe the City should start by enlisting the services of architect Brad Wales (Small Built Works), who has been championing tiny homes and sustainable living for years, along with University at Buffalo. UB’s Graduate Certificate in Affordable Housing launched in the fall of 2022. Brooks Anderson and TimberHut Cabin Company (lead image – also local) would be another fantastic resource.
In other interesting housing news, Chicago Calls on the World’s Best to Design Infill Housing on Its Thousands of Empty Lots (read article in Dwell). Can Buffalo start building great homes again as well?
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