Caldor Fire recovery: Relief to come from tiny homes

The tiny homes ordinance would be enacted where the county declares it is needed, and apply to rural parts of the county. 

“This is meant to help those that probably had a modest home before and that is all they are looking for now," Garner said. 

The ordinance would apply to about 20 people in the Grizzly Flat area, Garner told the Board of Supervisors during its Jan. 9 meeting. 

During a presentation to supervisors, Garner said the ordinance is not intended to assist those with adequate insurance, those who purchased property after the fire or those who want to construct larger homes. 

“This is another tool in our tool box and we will continue looking as we move forward with things like pre-approved ADUs that might be something else that can assist people in this area,” Garner explained. 

The tiny homes are meant to be safe, livable structures meeting basic needs, with exemptions from certain conditions of California's building codes.

Some of the exemption recommendations discussed came out of an earlier meeting of the Grizzly Flat Community Services District, county staff and firefighting personnel.

Among those most discussed was the use of fire sprinklers. Pioneer Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Ken Earle explained to the Board of Supervisors that while sprinklers are normal requirement for a small rural dwelling larger than 350 square feet, the review committee determined fire sprinklers would not be required for housing 750 square feet or smaller for the purposes of the ordinance. 

Earle noted his district covers around 289 square miles with one fully staffed engine and that it “(does) not have a robust response” regarding structure fires, but it does have mutual aid through other area fire districts and volunteer backups. 

He also cited findings by the National Fire Protection Association that in homes larger than 750 square feet sprinkler systems will “essentially extinguish the fire at 95% to 98%.” 

“Depending on which study you look at from NFPA … they all agree that (sprinklers) actually do put the fires out and hold them small, which also means the people are able to repair and move back in sooner,” he added. 

Earle told the board he is normally protective of fire safety measures, but also recognized the "need is very strong" for leniency.

“I’m a big fan of sprinklers, but I also see people still living in RVs and I still see people living in tents,” Earle said, before thanking county staff and the board for working to make the ordinance a reality.

The board adopted the recommendation, and directed staff to add it to the draft ordinance currently in the works. 

Other board-approved recommendations included allowing property owners to use locally milled lumber to build the structures, to allow generators as a power source for no longer than 18 months during partial occupancy and for staff to look into applying the ordinance, under the auspices of Title 25, to victims of the 2022 Mosquito Fire. 

Title 25 allows certain conditions for small dwelling units. It makes building permits valid a minimum of three years, does not require structural or energy calculations and allows generators as a sole power source. Title 25 also does not have room minimums, heating and electrical wiring requirements. Carbon monoxide sensors would still be required. Title 25 would only apply to rural areas in the county. 

Board Chair Wendy Thomas initially made the motion to direct staff to prepare the ordinance with the recommendations before giving the honor to Supervisor George Turnboo, whose district includes Grizzly Flat. Turnboo has been a champion to bring tiny homes to the county for emergency purposes.

“I commend all of you and your staff for what you (have done so far) and the presentation today,” Turnboo said to Garner during her presentation. “We had a great meeting down in Grizzly with the residents at Pioneer Park, and I just wanted to say thank you for this today.” 

“Congratulations George, and thank you all,” Thomas added as the motion was passed unanimously. “We look forward to this helpful tool for Grizzly Flat and potentially Mosquito (residents) as well.”