bill says tiny homes aren’t manufactured homes or RVs

The text as introduced · 457 words

90R3565 DRS-F

By: Hagenbuch
S.B. No. 179

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the applicability of certain laws to tiny homes and tiny

home communities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 94.002, Property Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) This chapter does not apply to a tiny home community or

tiny home. For purposes of this subsection:

(1) "Tiny home" means a moveable trailer:

(A) with a home affixed to a single chassis:

(i) which is a transportable unit that has a

body not wider than 14 feet and is designed to provide living

quarters for not more than one household when connected to

utilities necessary for operation of installed fixtures and

appliances; and

(ii) the total area of which in a setup

mode, when measured from the maximum dimensions of the exterior

surface of the exterior stud walls, not including any bay windows or

protrusions, does not exceed 500 square feet;

(B) that is not:

(i) a recreational vehicle as defined by

Section 522.004(b), Transportation Code;

(ii) a park model trailer that is designed

to be used for human habitation, with or without a permanent

foundation, when connected to the required utilities, and that:

(a) is less than eight feet six inches

in width and 45 feet in length in the traveling mode;

(b) includes the plumbing, heating,

air conditioning, and electrical systems; and

(c) is not required to be affixed with

a label or decal issued by the United States Department of Housing

and Urban Development and by the Texas Department of Housing and

Community Affairs; or

(iii) a manufactured home; and

(C) that may not be titled as a vehicle with the

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

(2) "Tiny home community" means real property that:

(A) is rented or held out for rent to others for

the placement of two or more tiny homes;

(B) is not:

(i) a recreational vehicle park as defined

by Section 13.087, Water Code, and not under ownership of a

recreational vehicle park; or

(ii) a manufactured home community or under

ownership of a manufactured home community;

(C) is subject to property tax; and

(D) is metered by a utility company to the owners

of the tiny homes on the property.

SECTION 2. Section 522.004(b), Transportation Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) In this section, "recreational vehicle" means a motor

vehicle primarily designed as temporary living quarters for

recreational camping or travel use. The term includes a travel

trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, and motor home. The term

does not include a tiny home as defined by Section 94.002(c),

Property Code.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.