As the tiny house movement continues to grow, the ways to certify a tiny house also expand and change. Once upon a time, our RV tiny houses were licensed through the state of Oregon and their inspectors. For about a year now, we’ve switched over to the internationally recognized Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, otherwise known as RVIA. This makes sense for a company of our size, but what about for DIY’ers? Well if you’re in our Build-It-Yourself program, you’re already set. Although the actual RVIA tags and certification are not included in the initial fee, our team still designs your tiny house to meet or exceed these standards so that you can easily obtain RVIA certification if you wish.
As for other tiny DIY projects, the avenues for legality and compliance can be more difficult. Thankfully the National Organization of Alternative Housing (NOAH) has created their own proprietary inspection system, which can be used by manufacturers and DIY’ers alike. Rather than qualifying the builder, NOAH’s services call for an inspection of each individual tiny house. They incorporate nationally recognized standards for fire safety, construction and energy-efficiency, to ensure that every structure is suitable for permanent, full-time or part-time residential living.
– Primary Points of Inspection Include –
Foundation of Trailer | Attachment Systems & Framing | All Trades (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC) | Insulation & Final
There are five different member programs to accommodate builders, educators, suppliers and enthusiasts. Not only does this help guarantee proper building techniques, it also proves beneficial to lenders and insurers. Once approved, each tiny house receives documentation and a certification seal, and heads on its way. A big thanks to NOAH for helping facilitate others to go tiny in a safe and responsible way!