Question 1

Does my TinyHome need to be building code compliant?

Accepted Answer

Probably, yes.

Most municipalities in Ontario require building permits and inspections before a building is allowed to be used as a residence. To get permitted, you submit your construction drawings to your municipality's building department. They review your plans and grant you a building permit if your plans meet both Ontario Building Code and local by-laws. Once you have a building permit, the municipality sends inspectors at various points during the construction phase to ensure your construction is in accordance with your approved building drawings. Once the building is complete and all inspections are passed, you are granted an occupancy permit and may move into your house.

You could try to install and live in a TinyHome in a very rural area where by-laws and building code are not as strictly enforced, but you are likely to be evicted by local by-law officers if they notice your un-permitted house.

Question 2

Are other TinyHomes on the market building code compliant?

Accepted Answer

Some are. There are options for code compliant TinyHomes that are much larger than ours and are installed (sometimes in multiple pieces) using cranes.

As far as we have found, we make the only TinyHomes on Wheels that are compliant with the Ontario Building Code. Meeting minimum room size, ceiling height, and stair size requirements all in a home that is only 8'6" wide is very difficult. This is why we designed our fold-down second floor; it gives a legal-height bedroom ceiling while making the building short enough to tow when folded down.

Other TinyHomes claim to be "built to code" or built to some factory building standard, but this is not necessarily the same as meeting the Ontario Building Code. Easy ways to identify most TinyHomes as being not Ontario code compliant are if they have a loft-style bedroom with a low (less than 6'11") ceiling, stairs with greater than 8" rise, stairs less than 34" wide, or ladders instead of stairs.

Question 3

Do you guys handle all the permitting paperwork?

Accepted Answer

We will handle the majority of it. We will have the building plans approved and take care of the building inspections throughout construction. What we can't do ourselves is get you the permit to install and live in your TinyHome on your final resting site. You will have to apply for that permit in your own name, but we will still help you through the process and give you all the paperwork that you need to submit.

Question 4

What are the dimensions of your TinyHomes?

Accepted Answer

Length: 38' (11.5m)
Width (Exterior): 8'6" (2.6m)
Width (Interior): 7'4.5" (2.25m)
Height (including foundation): 16'3" (4.95m)
Height (on wheels, second floor folded for towing): 13'7" (4.15m)
Ceiling heights: 10' (3m) in the living room. 6'11" (2.1m) elsewhere

Question 5

What kind of foundation do I need?

Accepted Answer

Your foundation will be dependent on where you're putting your TinyHome, but we will provide you with construction details for our recommended concrete pier-style foundation. This uses six 8" diameter piers sticking just 1" above grade, and a gravel pad under the building to prevent plant growth.

The foundation will be part of the house installation permit that you take out as it has to be inspected at your site. Concrete piers usually cost a few hundred dollars each. Helical piles are another option that are very fast to install, but cost closer to $1,000 each.

Question 6

Will you deliver my TinyHome to me?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We would be happy to deliver your TinyHome to your location if it's within Ontario. We will charge a very modest delivery rate (per km) to cover transport cost.

You are also welcome to pick up your TinyHome yourself from our location in Guelph/Eramosa, Ontario. Our TinyHomes are bumper-towed with a 2-5/16" hitch ball. They weigh about 10,000lbs, so you probably want at least a 3/4 ton truck (3500 or F350).