AUGUSTA - The Legislature gave unanimous approval last week to a measure from Rep. Dave McCrea, D-Fort Fairfield, that would require municipalities to legally recognize tiny homes as a primary dwelling.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the housing crisis for many Mainers. Currently, Maine faces a housing shortage that is particularly harmful to low-income folks, leaving thousands of Mainers without a place to live and forcing people to make difficult decisions in order to keep up with housing costs.
As amended, LD 1530 would require municipalities to allow tiny homes to be treated as single-family dwellings or allowed as accessory structures. It would further require tiny homes to meet all existing land use requirements. Prior to the passage of this legislation, towns and municipalities had to individually approve or reject proposed tiny home structures.
"The town-by-town patchwork approach to permitting tiny homes makes for an incredibly confusing and inefficient system," said McCrea. "During a time when affordable housing is increasingly needed and hard to come by, this bill simplifies that process, allowing municipalities to more readily provide an affordable housing option."
The measure now heads to the governor's desk.
McCrea is serving his third term in the Maine House and represents District 148, including Caswell, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Hamlin, Limestone, Presque Isle (part), Stockholm and Cyr Plantation, plus the unorganized territory of Connor Township. He serves on the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [McCrea], c .812-1111