Nationally known for our eclectic locals, world-class art scene, renowned scenery, and burgeoning dining and beverage industry, it’s no wonder our region attracts people from all walks of life. But while other areas with such credentials attract homebuyers looking for celebrity homes and stately mansions, in our region, there’s a different scene that draws curious transplants: tiny homes.
Because of tiny homes’ weird standing in many local zoning and regulation codes, people interested in building or buying a tiny home first seek out areas in which they are both legal and popular. While nowhere near widely accessible yet, Asheville stands above many other cities around the nation, according to the Asheville Small Home Advocacy Commission (SHAC).
Asheville SHAC is a group of dedicated volunteers and local business owners working together and with the city of Asheville to make micro-homes a solution for affordable living. Recent changes to Asheville’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations offer “practical housing options for the elderly, empty nesters, young students, and small families,” according to the city. In this way, they allow the city to increase density and the housing supply without requiring significant infrastructure extensions. Asheville SHAC wants to take these measures one step further to allow for stand-alone tiny homes or clusters called pocket neighborhoods.
As much attention as they receive locally and nationally, interest in tiny homes still remains a niche market. Across Western North Carolina, most regulations in place make buying or building a tiny home a complex process. From zoning and building regulations to finance and insurance, tiny homes require dedication…and a little bit of know-how. Luckily for tiny house lovers, there are several local WNC builders focused exclusively on tiny homes.
For more information about designing, building, or financing a tiny home in WNC, contact:
BREVARD TINY HOMES
Brevard, NC
brevardtinyhouse.com
EMERALD CITY TINY HOMES
Appointments only:
37 Haywood Street #200
Asheville, NC 28801
emeraldcitytinyhomes.com
NANOSTEAD
Asheville, NC
nanostead.com
WISHBONE TINY HOMES
355 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806
wishbonetinyhomes.com