Tiny homes are gaining popularity but are also challenging local building codes and bringing owners and officials into squabbles such as this one in New York state.
The town of Queensbury believes the small structure that has been sitting on property off Brayton Road, on the east shore of Lake George, is a “tiny house” that was put on the property without the proper town permits. That led to the town Building & Codes Office filing a series of code violation complaints against the owners, reports the The Post Star.
But the owners, and neighbors who allowed the structure to be placed on their property amid town code enforcement actions, responded with a lawsuit in recent weeks that claims the town has overstepped its bounds.
That lawsuit came after town officials sought court intervention to have the 1.5-story, wheeled building removed, an effort that led to a ruling Tuesday from state Supreme Court Justice Robert Muller finding that the owners did violate town code, and directing them to “dismantle” or remove the building from the town within 45 days.
The owners’ lawsuit claims the town did not have jurisdiction and its actions are “without rational basis,” as the building is on wheels and is not connected to septic, water or electric utilities. Town officials, though, claimed it had a water source and was hooked into a septic system at one point.
“The director appears to be looking for a conflict by thwarting all of the Coughtrys’ plans to come into compliance with town code,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit was filed by the owners of the property where the trailer was initially kept — Joann Coughtry, Timothy Coughtry and Kimberly Mariani — and the neighbors who allowed it to be put on their property when the town Code Enforcement Office demanded it be moved — David Dufresne and Evelyn Dufresne. (Muller’s ruling Tuesday was that the Dufresnes did not violate town code by allowing the trailer to be moved to their property and stored there, although it will still have to be removed under his ruling that it be moved out of Queensbury.)
The Coughtrys claim the structure was built to replace a 42-foot travel trailer that had been on the Coughtry property for years, which had been removed before the new “custom” recreational vehicle was built.
But David Hatin, the town’s director of buildings and codes, in court records called it an “illegal structure on a boat trailer,” and warned that fines of up to $950 a day could be imposed if it was not removed from the property.
The plaintiffs also asked that the town Zoning Board of Appeals review the issue, but a lawyer for the town said that review was not applicable.
“It appears the owners are trying to skirt the Town Code by building the structure on a trailer,” Strough said.
Lawyer John Aspland, who along with lawyer Michael Crowe is defending the town, said the town “is simply trying to enforce New York State Uniform Building Code, which it has been charged with doing by the State Legislature.”
I am sorry, on second look, the trailer more than likely has a title.
And what is on it is overweight.
The simple thing to do is give them thirty days to get it registered as a trailer. If they don’t, it is then qualified as a tiny house and must follow building codes. I am sure you can get a title for a trailer and not have to go through a state vehicle inspection. You must title it according to the weight it can carry and have the proper braking system. I am also sure it will have to be inspected and approved by the proper personnel.
I wonder if the frame and axles are even sized up to support that weight properly?
That is NOT an RV. Looks to be over 13’6″ as well. Someone trying to be cheap and greedy by attempting to beat the system.
If it truly is a trailer then where are the clearance and marker lights? I don’t see any. Nice try, it is a tiny house, period.
Um, if it is on wheels, and not strapped down, it is a vehicle. Not subject to housing codes. Restrict RV parking if you want to regulate it.
Get the tiny house licesnced as a travel trailer, put plates and tags on it.
Look at the picture….it is an ugly house and not a camping trailer !
Mobil homes also have wheels and a metal frame but are regulated
by building codes.
Also take note of the height of the structure….not likely to fit under most
bridges and overpasses in rural lake George or Queensbury….also note that if it was going to be towed the high two story end would be to the rear not the front of the structure .
The “ Tiny House “ movement is a passing fad and most do not meet building and safety codes. The future will find these rolling junk piles in landfills.