Tiny houses, big ideas: Best practices of an emerging house typology in British Columbia

Abstract

As many cities around the world struggle with the housing affordability crisis, while at the same time striving for achievement against stringent sustainability goals, the tiny house movement has pushed for the integration of a new housing typology. Under the current housing market and planning regime, homes are being built bigger than ever before while the average household size continues to fall across Canada. In pursuit of freedom, tiny house enthusiasts are struggling to find their place in BC’s housing stock. The main guiding research question behind this work is how could planning optimize tiny houses as a housing typology by integrating them into BC communities in a harmonious way that aligns with the values and principles behind the tiny house movement? Research methods include a literature review to investigate the emerging tiny house movement that is making its way across North America and Australia. Additionally, case studies from BC are used to uncover what planning contexts and regulatory frameworks are being used to support tiny house integration. The case studies are evaluated using criteria formed under the Brundtland report’s triple bottom line definition of sustainability. Key findings and best practices inform recommendations for planning authorities on how to proceed with implementation processes. The main indicator of success for these recommendations will be the replication of strategies and tactics utilized in BC in alignment with case studies analyzed in the literature review. Findings suggest that BC is on track in enabling successful tiny house integration into the housing stock with other tiny house friendly communities around the world.