Oregon
Tiny Homes
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Oregon Tiny Homes Zoning
Thinking about Oregon tiny homes? Oregon boasts some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the country. Oregon truly has it all with elevated mountain views, lush green forests surrounding pristine lakes, and coastal Pacific shorelines. The locals’ commitment to environmentalism makes the state a favorite with nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s the perfect location to settle down in an eco-friendly tiny house.
Oregon’s relaxed tiny house building regulations have helped the tiny house movement to grow exponentially across the state. Even some of Oregon’s cities are particularly friendly to tiny homes. Portland encourages tiny living by making the lifestyle affordable and accessible. Living in a tiny house community with shared utilities keeps living costs low while making certain luxuries more accessible. There are many tiny house communities already in place in Portland and even tiny home vacation rentals to give you a taste of the lifestyle.
Below are some great resources to get you started on your Oregon tiny home journey.
Oregon Tiny Homes News & Resources
Oregon Tiny Homes Communities
Oregon Tiny Homes Building Considerations
Foremost, an important investment for your Oregon tiny home is good insulation to keep your home comfortable in the mild climate. We use spray foam insulation and 2×4 framing. Spray foam has by far the highest R-value available for the tiny home application, and wooden construction allows less air infiltration than steel framing when the temperature rises. Additionally, we use LP SmartSide for a low-maintenance and durable siding that won’t warp or change with fluctuating temperatures (which can be painted any custom color you like). We recommend the Pacific Northwest color pallet by Benjamin Moore in Great Barrington Green HC-122, a forest green paint for that calming woodland feel.
Another consideration for the hotter months is humidity—an important factor for an Oregon tiny home. You’ll want a reliable and efficient HVAC system in your home. You may want to explore other options for dehumidifying your tiny home as well. This will work in tandem with your insulation and framing to keep the hot out and the cool in.
Also, if you’re opting for a more off-grid Oregon lifestyle, investing in solar power is also a good idea. If the set-up of your Oregon tiny home is permanent or semi-permanent, we recommend a ground mounted solar array. And housing the heavy batteries in a separate outbuilding will allow you to maximize your tiny home’s precious square footage.
Another key design element for Oregon tiny homes is an exterior deck, especially if you’re living on the coast. Your builder should be able to assist with your overall site plan and may even be able to create a set of deck construction documents to be used for building your deck on-site.
Oregon Weather Considerations
Furthermore, Oregon can be prone to severe weather. You may want to consider the safety options for your tiny home. There are industry practices to keep tiny home dwellings safe and secure. Read this blog post on Setting Up Your Tiny Home – Blocking, Anchoring, and Skirting. As well as this blog post on Crisis Preparation for Tiny Living to get you started.
