CREEDE— During a work session held on Feb. 8 the Creede Board of Trustees decided to turn the issue on tiny homes back to the Planning and Zoning Commission. During the work session the board was presented with Ordinance-406 that amended the Creede Development Code in order to allow tiny home structures within town limits.

During a previous meeting that was held at the beginning of December, board members chose to table the discussion after hearing several concerns from the public. During that meeting the Mayor, Jeffery Larson spoke on behalf of the public stating that it was the responsibility of the board to reconsider the changes so that it would fit the needs of the community rather than make it harder for those who wished to own a tiny home to build one.

According to the changes proposed in the description of Ordinance-406 on the town’s website, it states that the Planning and Zoning Commission has, “Identified a possible process by which we could ensure that the RV-type tiny homes in which we are considering allowing residential use have a “certificate of occupancy” component.

This would be a simple procedure by which these homes would be required to have either an “RVIA” inspection badge or a “NOAH” inspection badge, which means that their structural, electrical, plumbing, propane, etc. has been passed by the standards of the respective associations. Tiny home manufacturers are using one of these two processes on their homes. NOAH offers inspections for homemade tiny homes as well. Someone would apply for a RV CO if they want to use it for residential purposes for more than six months and the building inspector would check that it is inhabitable and has one of these inspections, and issue the CO. The current building inspector is in support of this strategy.”

Once the work session was coming to a close, board members turned the Ordinance back over to the commission for further review. According to a memo sent by Creede City Clerk Randi Snead, the direction of the board was to, “Amend Ordinance-406 to accommodate allowing one tiny home/RV on private properties in lieu of an ADU [Accessory Dwelling Unit] with a fee in lieu of taxes (a short term 1-6 month + a long term annual fee was suggested at an estimated $100/year property tax value) and to add RV Camping to our current event permit,” as well as other stipulations that can be viewed on the city’s website at www.colorado.gov/creede.

Another draft of Ordinance-406 will be presented to the board as soon as it has been passed through the commission. Many residents feel the addition of tiny homes in the development code would be a huge step in easing the lack of affordable housing in Creede.