Appendix Q has made the tiny house movement easier for tiny homeowners all around. However, if you are new to the tiny house movement, you may not have heard about Tiny House Appendix Q. Keep reading to learn about it.
Tiny House Appendix Q: What Is Tiny House Appendix Q?
This is the first appendix that created specific requirements for tiny houses. Tiny House Appendix Q is an addition to IRC (International Residential Code). This was approved to be included in the 2018 International Residential Code version. Appendix Q specifies the building features that apply to tiny houses like lofts, ladders, emergency exits, etc.
Tiny House Appendix Q: What Is The International Residential Code?
As earlier said Appendix Q is included in the International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC is “a comprehensive, stand-alone residential code that establishes minimum regulations for one and two-family dwellings and townhouses using prescriptive provisions.”
The International Residential Code is used in 49 States in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, and Guam. The U.S. state of Wisconsin is the only state that does not use the IRC building codes, then the IRC is also used in some parts of Alaska.
The IRC regulations apply to single and multi-family dwellings and also include safety regulations. It is important to note that your tiny house must be up to Appendix Q and also the IRC code.
However, note that Appendix Q is not the only section of IRC that a tiny house owner needs to obey. You have to understand what Appendix Q and the entire IRC are all about. Appendix Q adopted in the IRC is like an addition to the regulations that already exist. So, you have to follow all.
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What Is International Code Council? The International Code Council (ICC) is a nonprofit organization that makes standards related to building safety and fire prevention safety that is used by legislative bodies in the World. The codes created by this nonprofit body are followed by all 50 states in the United States and other foreign countries. The International Code Council created the IRC.
This body has about 340 independent chapters across the world, all of which are connected to the origin chapter in Washington D.C.
Tiny House Appendix Q: How Was Appendix Q For Tiny Homes Created
In 2016, Appendix Q was first drafted by a builder, educator, and tiny house enthusiast, Andrew Morrison with Martin Hammer, an architect. These men were passionate about tiny houses and brought together a group of tiny house owners to present their draft to the International Code Council (ICC). Adding this code to the IRC, made a great change in the tiny house movement.
Appendix Q clarifies what is and what is not allowed for tiny houses. Homeowners have to follow Appendix Q to build in a standard way. However, there are different types of tiny houses and Appendix Q doesn’t cover all of them.
The IRC specified the type of tiny houses Appendix Q applies to. They apply to tiny houses on foundation and tiny houses that are 400 sq. ft.
Appendix Q does not apply to tiny houses on wheels. Appendix Q only applies to Tiny houses on a foundation. If you own intend to buy or build a tiny house on wheels, Appendix Q shouldn’t be your legal guide.
Most states have their way of regulating tiny houses on wheels. Some states consider tiny houses on wheels as recreational vehicles. So, they make use of recreational vehicle (RV) laws for tiny houses on wheels.
You have to contact your local municipality within your state for laws that apply to a tiny house on wheels. Since International Residential Code is for residential dwellings which include tiny houses on foundation.
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Tiny House Appendix Q: Does Appendix Q Apply To Tiny Houses As ADUs
Appendix Q can apply to ADUs but not always. The IRC (International Residential Code) specifies that Appendix Q applies to tiny houses that are used as single dwelling units. Chapter 11 of IRC clearly defines a “Dwelling Unit” as a single unit that gives complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, which includes a permanent provision for living, eating, sleeping, sanitation, and cooking.
Some people would like their tiny house to be an accessory dwelling unit not just for living but it could serve as an office, workout room, or studio. If you are not sure of what regulations to follow when building or buying your tiny house, contact your local municipality or building company for more information.
Tiny House Appendix Q
The Tiny House Appendix Q pays attention to the features of the tiny house like stairs, lofts, headroom, ladders, stair handrails, reduced ceiling height in loft, and emergency escape and rescue openings in lofts. It classifies a tiny house as one with a minimum size of 120 sq. ft. and a maximum size of 400 sq. ft. excluding lofts.
Ceiling Height Requirements
Section AQ103 of Appendix Q talks about the ceiling heights in tiny houses. It states that the habitable space and hallways in tiny houses should have a ceiling height of not less than 6 ft. 4 inches. Obstructions like beams, girders, ducts, and lighting should not extend below the minimum ceiling height. And ceiling height in lofts can be less than 6 ft. 8 inches.
Loft Requirements
Lofts should have a floor area of not less than 35 sq. ft. and in the horizontal dimension, lofts should not be less than 5 ft.
Apart from the above requirement for lofts, Appendix Q also laid out other requirements that concern lofts and loft access (ladders, ships ladders, loft guards, etc).
Emergency Escape And Rescue Openings
Appendix Q also lays out requirements that relate to safety in tiny homes. Tiny houses have to meet the requirements of Section R310 for emergency escape and rescue openings.
Read more here or download its PDF here.
Tiny House Appendix Q: Conclusion
In a nutshell, Tiny House Appendix Q is adopted into the International Residential Code (IRC) and enables tiny house owners to know what rules and regulations apply to building or buying a tiny house. Though this rule doesn’t apply to tiny houses on wheels, you have to contact your local municipality to know what laws apply to tiny houses on wheels there.
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