Vista considering tiny home options

VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Tiny houses are on the brain in the City of Vista as city leaders are expected to start to hash out a new ordinance that could pave the way for tiny movable homes from 150 square feet to 400 square feet to roll in and out of place.

“We are all watching Tiny Home Nation on TV. We have some tiny home manufacturers right here in the city of Vista, and so these are appealing options to some younger homeowners and maybe some older homeowners, but we are definitely concerned about getting the details right,” said Mayor John Franklin from the City of Vista.

Tiny houses have been in part approved in the City of San Diego, but the use of these homes has not found it’s way into general public’s access.

“Giving people the ability to build a home they can afford, I think it’s necessary in the area we live,” said Refael Amar from Eco Home Builders.

Amar thinks the possibility of relaxing some restrictions could be a new way for young professionals to finally find their footing in the real estate market.

“There are ways we can make a small house feel like a home,” Amar said.

Franklin says the next few meetings will deal with the devil in the tiny home details.

"We have a lot of different regulations that we are going to have to consider before we can allow tiny homes, because we need to make sure that every person who owns a home or pays for the use of and enjoyment of a piece of property in Vista has the right to continue, what I think of as the quiet enjoyment of their property," Franklin said.

Builders say the possibility or building out multiple tiny homes of a contiguous piece of property could be a brand new way to sell a new style of housing for a far more reasonable price.

“The price can be adjusted according to how many are being built and the site conditions,” Amar said.