State Rep. Abby Major | Pennsylvania 60th Legislative District
State Rep. Abby Major | Pennsylvania 60th Legislative District
Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland) has announced her plans to introduce legislation aimed at addressing affordable housing in the Commonwealth by making it easier for local governments to include tiny houses in their communities. Major stated, "Currently, there is a lack of clear guidance making it difficult for local governments to establish parameters by which tiny houses would be permissible and permanent single-family dwellings." She emphasized the importance of finding ways to help communities provide for tiny houses due to the housing affordability problems being experienced.
The proposed bill would amend Act 45 of 1999 to require the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to adopt regulations from Appendix Q "Tiny Houses," a part of the 2018 International Residential Code. This legislation would only apply in municipalities that choose to adopt Appendix Q by ordinance. By adopting Appendix Q, tiny houses under 400 square feet could be installed on a foundation as a permanent residence with relaxed requirements such as compact stairs, ladders, reduced ceiling heights in lofts, and emergency escape and rescue opening requirements.
Representing the 60th Legislative District covering various townships and boroughs in Armstrong and Westmoreland counties, Major's initiative aims to provide a solution to the affordable housing crisis by facilitating the inclusion of tiny homes in communities.
For more information, please visit Representative Abby Major's official website or contact Tracy Polovick at 717.260.6358 or tpolovick@pahousegop.com.
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