Mainebiz

V O L . X X V I I N O. X I I I J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 10 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E Improve comfort. Reduce energy costs. Upgrade to a heat pump that can meet both your heating and cooling needs. Enhanced incentives available for Maine's smallest businesses. Incentives up to $4,800 and financing available. Find out more at efficiencymaine.com 866-376-2463 Tiny home trend gets boost from new state law, but local barriers remain B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n G ov. Janet Mills signed into law a bill that allows munic- ipalities to set their own guidelines for tiny homes, those of 400 square feet or less that are on wheels. The new law allows municipalities to set their own rules for tiny homes that are less restrictive. It also allows tiny homes on undeveloped or developed hous- ing lots. The homes could be assessed for property taxes after 180 days, in certain circumstances. The tiny home trend has swept the nation in recent years, and YouTube and Instagram offer a range of videos and images of how people have designed and built tiny homes. The homes, which are built on a heavy duty trailer chassis, are equipped with all the features of homes, but on a smaller scale. The hitch often comes in whether they pay local taxes, are hooked up to local utilities and how they dispose of waste. Portland has considered tiny homes as a way to allevi- ate the housing crisis. For now, the city effectively bans tiny homes on wheels with its requirement that homes have a foundation, frost or slab wall and meet the state Manufactured Housing Act. It also requires homes to comply with the Maine Uniform Building & Energy Code. The only Maine municipalities that specifically allow tiny homes are Chelsea, New Gloucester, Wiscasset, Stonington and Hollis, according to the Tiny Homes Alliance USA. The site does not specify whether the homes allowed can be on wheels or if they're required to have a foundation. The state law, which was introduced by state Rep. David Harold McCrea of Fort Fairfield, frees up munici- palities to allow tiny homes as a primary structure where it would allow a single-family home. No more than one tiny home can go onto that lot — unless the total square footage is 400 square feet or less. Setbacks from property lines may also be reduced. Municipalities may also set design criteria for tiny homes, for instance requiring shingled roofs or exte- rior features. P O L I T I C S & C O. The new law allows municipalities to set their own rules for tiny homes that are less restrictive. Tiny homes, like this one from Tiny Homes of Maine, are built to be easily moved between locations. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F T I N Y H O M E S O F M A I N E

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