Exploring Tiny Homes with Sonya Shearer: A Code Enforcement Perspective

Tiny homes have captured the imagination of homeowners and city planners alike, offering a minimalist, affordable, and sustainable housing solution. However, as their popularity grows, so do the challenges of integrating them into communities while ensuring compliance with building and zoning regulations. At the CodeComply Summit, Sonya Shearer of Sonya Shearer Consulting will lead an insightful course on navigating the complexities of tiny home development through code enforcement.

Tiny Homes: A New Frontier in Housing

The appeal of tiny homes lies in their simplicity, financial freedom, and reduced environmental impact. Yet, these benefits come with hurdles—especially when it comes to regulatory approvals. Many municipalities struggle with how to permit and regulate these homes in a way that balances innovation with safety and community planning. Sonya Shearer’s course will explore how code enforcement professionals can help bridge this gap by understanding the International Tiny Home Provisions (ITHP) and advocating for effective zoning and building code amendments.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into:

• The regulatory landscape for tiny homes and how building and zoning codes can be adapted to accommodate them.
• Key provisions of the ITHP and the differences in requirements for tiny homes versus traditional dwellings.
• Practical solutions for permitting tiny homes in communities while maintaining safety and compliance.
• Real-world examples of successful tiny home communities, including a look at tiny homes that blend seamlessly into traditional neighborhoods.

One of the highlights of this course is a look at Village Farms in Austin, Texas, a thriving tiny home community designed with sustainability and community living in mind. Originally a certified organic farm, Village Farms has evolved into an “agrihood” where tiny homes coexist with shared gardens and a working farm. This innovative model proves that with the right zoning and building codes, tiny homes can provide affordable, sustainable, and community-focused housing options without compromising on safety or quality of life.

As cities and towns look for ways to address housing shortages and sustainability goals, tiny homes are becoming a viable option—but only if communities have the right framework in place. This course provides code enforcement professionals with the knowledge to guide local governments in permitting and regulating tiny homes effectively. Whether you're new to the topic or already working on tiny home policy, this session will offer practical tools to bring real solutions to your community.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Sonya Shearer, a leading expert in tiny home regulations, and explore how these innovative housing solutions can fit into the future of code enforcement. With an emphasis on real-world application, this course will give attendees the confidence to navigate the legal, zoning, and compliance challenges of tiny homes and bring practical solutions back to their communities.