Legislation
Multiple layers of regulatory frameworks can apply to tiny houses making it confusing to get your head around. We have put together this information to help clarify it a little!
Legislation
Multiple layers of regulatory frameworks can apply to tiny houses making it confusing to get your head around. We have put together this information to help clarify it a little!
Legislation explained
Legislation explained
Because tiny houses are a relatively new housing typology, they don’t neatly fit into existing legislative frameworks. Anyone who tries to research this quickly realises that is not clear and simple to navigate. Tiny houses are affected by federal, state and local government frameworks and policies.
Because tiny houses are a relatively new housing typology, they don’t neatly fit into existing legislative frameworks. Anyone who tries to research this quickly realises that is not clear and simple to navigate. Tiny houses are affected by federal, state and local government frameworks and policies.
State & Local
State & Local
The states are responsible for developing planning laws which govern development and zoning. These frameworks will often outline what types of buildings and businesses can be permitted in different zones and under different overlays.
Each state and territory varies. We have compiled official and anecdotal information on each state and territory to help you gain a better understanding of your local context.
Local councils are responsible for interpreting and implementing state and federal regulatory frameworks. To learn more about how local governments may interpret tiny houses on wheels and skids, see our working with councils page.
If you are aware of changes to your state/territory or local government regulations around tiny houses, please contact us and let us know so we can ensure this information is current.
The states are responsible for developing planning laws which govern development and zoning. These frameworks will often outline what types of buildings and businesses can be permitted in different zones and under different overlays.
Each state and territory varies. We have compiled official and anecdotal information on each state and territory to help you gain a better understanding of your local context.
Local councils are responsible for interpreting and implementing state and federal regulatory frameworks. To learn more about how local governments may interpret tiny houses on wheels and skids, see our working with councils page.
Federal
Federal
Overarching the various state and local regulations, there are two main Federal codes that tiny house builders and dwellers should be aware of.
The Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1 - V6 is important to understand for those building or owning tiny houses on wheels. The law currently requires the trailer to comply with Australian Standards and Codes. Anything added onto that trailer (the load) just needs to remain with the weight and dimensional requirements of VSB1, nothing more.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is part of the National Construction Code (NCC). This is developed and maintained by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) which is Federally funded. Tiny houses built on a registered trailer base are typically not “buildings” for the purposes of the BCA or State and Territory Building Acts, however tiny houses on skids or permanent foundations most often are.
In the absence of a tiny house on wheels specific section to the NCC, ATHA have developed a
Construction Guide to help guide builders of tiny homes on wheels.
Overarching the various state and local regulations, there are two main Federal codes that tiny house builders and dwellers should be aware of.
The Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1 - V6 is important to understand for those building or owning tiny houses on wheels. The law currently requires the trailer to comply with Australian Standards and Codes. Anything added onto that trailer (the load) just needs to remain with the weight and dimensional requirements of VSB1, nothing more.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is part of the National Construction Code (NCC). This is developed and maintained by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) which is Federally funded. Tiny houses built on a registered trailer base are typically not “buildings” for the purposes of the BCA or State and Territory Building Acts, however tiny houses on skids or permanent foundations most often are.
In the absence of a tiny house on wheels specific section to the NCC, ATHA have developed a
Construction Guide to help guide builders of tiny homes on wheels.
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