Garage Conversion to Functioning Tiny House- Advice Needed

[Collin Chupp]

My wife and I are looking to make an offer on two detached garages that are for sale along with a house in our local area (Winona Lake, IN). While we are not interested in buying the house, we want to purchase the garages (split the lot) and convert them into "Tiny houses". Is there any one out there doing this? If so, what should we know before proceeding (Outside of local codes, and permits)? Also looking for advice on making the offer to split the property as it is currently for sale as a whole.

Thanks for any advice you have!

[Natalie Kolodij]

A lot of counties have a minimum dwelling requirement- so you might run into issues being able to get them even qualified as a legal dwelling at all. 

I would start by talking to your local city/county and seeing if it's even plausible 

[Chris Volkers]

Better get in touch with Gene!

http://www.winonalake.net/building.htm

[Kathleen Leary]

And some places have minimum lot sizes, too. You may not be able to split it.

There are vacant lots in this town that can't be built on at all because the regulations changed, so they sit there.

[John Laney]

Collin, I've been looking in to this in the San Diego area.  All I can say is it is hard, if you want to do it right... There is quite a bit of legal loop holes, zoning issue, construction issues to all work through.  I have not given up yet, but  I feel like guys like us are a bit ahead of our times. 

Best, John

[Johann Jells]

I'd be startled if this were legal. You can't get a CoO for under 400 ft in NYC, the land of tiny apartments. Most of the "tiny houses" I've seen online had to be loopholed as trailers or such.

[Rhiannon Then]

John Laney
Wondering if you knew about typical
tiny home building.
What if someone wanted to buy an empty lot and build a tiny home on it as oppose to converting and splitting land. What are rules and regulations would one have to be aware of?