Where can I build a tiny home in the Wilmington area? | MyReporter

A nationwide interest in minimalist and environmentally friendly living largely brought the tiny home movement to life in the mid-2010s.

From network television shows like “Tiny House Nation” and “Tiny House Hunters,” the movement quickly gained an appeal that continued with the rise of social media and online vlogging, with creators documenting their journey to construct and live in tiny spaces.

The Wilmington area wasn’t immune to the craze: with countless houseboats, container homes and other tiny homes sprinkled across the region for private residents or short-term rentals. Last year, the city saw the completion of its first tiny home community: Eden Village. The community brought over 30 tiny homes for the homeless community in the area.

If you’re interested in downsizing or starting a tiny home project, here’s what to know about building a tiny home in the Wilmington area.

North Carolina is one of few tiny-home friendly states in the country, with tiny homes constructed on foundations recognized as livable structures. But the various counties, cities and towns in the state have varying rules and regulations on building the tiny structures.

Zoning districts in Wilmington and New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties provide building size maximums, but not minimums, meaning tiny homes are largely permitted in many residential zoning districts, provided their lots meet local requirements.

Wilmington, however, does require that dwelling units contain at least 150 square feet of floor space. A home of 400 square feet or less is considered a tiny home, according to the American Tiny House Association.

Any tiny homes built in the state for a permanent single-family dwelling have to meet guidelines outlined by the N.C. Department of Insurance.

Construction requirements from the department outline habitable rooms (spaces in a residence for living, sleeping, eating or cooking) in tiny homes must have 70 square feet or more of space, excluding kitchens, and must be 7 or more feet horizontally.

Ceiling heights must be 7 feet or more in habitable spaces, hallways and bathrooms. Tiny homes must have bathroom facilities and a kitchen area with a sink.

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Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at [email protected] or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Where can I build a tiny home in Wilmington, NC?