This post only covers Building Code, and not Fire, Energy or Plumbing Codes. If you are reading this and are someone who can speak to those requirements, please reach out. I’m going to touch on the most common challenges with Code for tiny homes, but this is not an all encompassing list. If you are considering a tiny home, I strongly encourage you to speak with a Code expert.

It’s also extremely important to remember that anytime you are considering a new project, you consider both zoning and Code requirements. They are completely different rules, and both important. Just because something is permitted zoning wise, does not mean it will be permitted Building Code wise, and vice-versa. This post does not speak to zoning requirements.

In regards to the safety requirements (Codes and related standards), BC Housing has put together a great flow chart shown below to show what applies. The Building Code only applies when tiny homes are off wheels. A reminder that a home on wheels may have challenges with zoning allowances, even if the Building Code does not apply.

I’m also going to direct you to the intent statements to the Code to provide more rational for certain requirements.

Ceiling heights and clear heights are required to meet the minimum requirements in Table 9.5.3.1. This is a challenge in tiny homes for loft spaces, and spaces below the loft. 2.1 m is 6’10.5″.

A summary of the intent statements are:

• Reduce the likelihood of hurting yourself by colliding with lights, ceiling fans and low door heads, and
• Reduce the likelihood of collisions happening during an emergency, which could lead to a delay in getting to safety.

Minimum door sizes required are outlined in Table 9.5.5.1. Be sure to pay attention to the Note to the Table though, as it then directs you to Article 9.5.5.3….which talks about hallways. For hallways, you’d need to first visit Article 9.5.4.1.

Essentially, a hallway needs to be a minimum of 860 mm wide unless a few things are met. For the sake of this post and Tiny Homes, I’m going to assume we don’t meet those criteria.

Article 9.5.5.3. then states that a door to a primary bathroom needs to be a minimum of 760 mm wide.

Stairs in general are tricky with Tiny Homes. Designers often run into issues with the required rise/run, width, as well as the required headroom. These are fairly straightforward to read, and are found in Sub sections 9.8.3. and 9.8.4.

Handrails and guards are also required on stairs, which you often don’t see pictured at all in the dreamy Tiny Home social media feeds. These requirements are in Subsections 9.8.7. and 9.8.8.

Ladders are not permitted by the Building Code as an acceptable means of egress. A loft requires a means of egress, and as Article 9.9.2.3. states, a window is not considered as part of the required means of egress.

The required to have an egress window in sleeping area is a separate requirement as the egress required from a loft, which I discussed in the previous section. Bedroom window egress requirements are found in Article 9.9.10.1.

Unless the Tiny Home is sprinklered, the sleeping area requires one outside window or exterior door accessible to it. I’ve had designers get caught up on the wording ‘combination bedroom’ for a micro unit layout. It was not a Tiny Home, but could be compared to one. In that scenario, an occupant would need to pass the cooking area to reach the egress door/window. An argument was made there was no door so it was a ‘combination bedroom’. I didn’t allow it as I did not think the intent was being met, however the same layout was permitted in other jurisdictions as there is room for interpretation in the current wording.