Tiny houses are becoming more and more popular in the United States. Washington State, specifically, has seen a massive increase in people wanting to build their own tiny houses. There are several benefits to building your own tiny house on your property: you can customize it any way you want, there’s no need for an expensive mortgage or rent payments, you have complete control over what goes into the home and how it looks.
Here is a brief overview of all of the steps involved in building a tiny house in Washington.
Choosing a Location in Washington State
Washington has many beautiful cities and towns that are perfect for living a tiny lifestyle. You can find properties in various locations with different types of views, from the mountains to lakes and rivers.
Find your dream spot on the property you already own or purchase land that is zoned appropriately for building a house less than 500 square feet wide.
Apply to Build a Tiny House
In Washington state alone, over 200 new applications were submitted last year for tiny homes to be built. This is a massive increase from the previous year, and it’s not just homeowners interested in these buildings. There are also large companies like Etsy who want their employees to work in smaller spaces that allow them more freedom than an office cubicle.
What Permits Are Needed in Washington State?
When building a tiny house in Washington State, there are two significant permits that you’ll need to acquire before construction can begin. First off, any new home needs to get approval from the local health department and county government offices. Secondly, if your property is classified as agricultural land (e.g., farmland or forest), additional zoning approvals will be required by the Department of Natural Resources.
What Documents Do I Need for Zoning Approval?
To get zoning approval from the Department of Natural Resources, you’ll need to submit a detailed map of your planned property. This should include any potential building sites on the land and other structures that will be there at some point in time (e.g., barns or outbuildings). Additionally, any agricultural activities taking place on the site must be marked and documented with specific dates when they took place during the last five years.
Get Started on Building Your House
If you’ve found the perfect property for your tiny house and have attained all necessary permits, then it’s time to start construction! There are many ways that this can be done depending on what type of structure you’re building.
For a stick-built home, which is typically made out of wood, there will first need to be an adequate water supply (e.g., well or rainwater catchment system) installed before any work begins. You’ll also want to hire professionals who specialize in siding installation for exterior walls since they require more skill than most other types of builders. Another option is purchasing pre-fabricated materials from local suppliers, such as steel framing with corrugated metal panels or plywood sheathing with OSB panels.
Finally, you will need to construct a foundation for your tiny house and set the outer walls on top of it before they can be enclosed with insulation and drywall or boards. Ensure that any electrical wiring is installed near the exterior wall, so there’s enough space inside when everything else is done!
Utilities for Your Tiny House
When living in a tiny house, you’ll want to use your water as sparingly as possible. This means replacing any high-flow appliances with low-flow versions and using the dishwasher only occasionally (e.g., once or twice per day). Additionally, always turn off lights when they’re not needed!
In order to save on energy costs for heating and cooling, try installing an air source heat pump that transfers thermal energy from outside into the home without wasting electricity by running it backward during warmer months like summertime. Another option is switching out all of your lightbulbs and lamps with LED bulbs which consume less than one watt of power while producing equivalent illumination levels to traditional incandescent ones.
Lastly, if there’s no electricity available on the property, you’ll need to install a solar panel system to generate your power. These systems can be pretty expensive depending on how much electricity you use, so make sure that it’s worth the investment before deciding which one is right for your tiny house!
Conclusion
Building a tiny house in Washington state is an exciting prospect that requires careful planning and consideration. If you’re considering building your own tiny home, make sure to consult with the local health department as well as county government offices for any regulations or permits required before construction begins. Consider what type of land it’s on (e.g., agricultural) and if other structures are being built there at some point in time, such as barns or outbuildings on the property, which should be included on the map submitted for zoning approval from the Department of Natural Resources. And finally, don’t forget about utilities! Installing a solar panel system can help provide power when electricity isn’t available while also decreasing energy costs associated with heating and cooling throughout the year.