Steve.... That was well expressed and you will see I stole it
OK we are normally asked not to red pen, correct ,or make light of others posts but I want you to red pen the hell out of this soon to be email.
I want it right when it goes. So help me and remember we are linked to both the senator and my representative in the house so play nice.
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Senator Daniel Coats
And Representative Todd Rokita
The desire for clean air, clean water and a safe environment are important goals shared by everyone. I support responsible environmental legislation that protects the environment, while also protecting the rights of individuals and businesses. Todd Rokita
This letter is directed to two men whom I feel have the above goals in their agendas. I am writing because I have spent the last 11 months building a tiny house and now find it illegal for anyone to live in less than 750 square feet in Indiana. I knew after the loss of my wife I would be unable to hang on long on one income with the debt load that we had formerly shared so I started building my tiny house. I was to be a last resort, an economic lifeboat to house me in comfort in the most efficient manner possible if needed. I retired last August at 62 in concern to get it locked in before the elections. I was aware the 1500+ benefits would not begin to provide enough to fulfill my financial obligations so my planning was starting to prove out.
I have continued to work and used up the benefits that I was eligible for in fixing my car and keeping the bills paid and to have heat for the winter. I no longer have social security benefits available for the remainder of 2013 as I have exceeded the maximum earnings and once again am flowing out to sea on the waves of debt. I placed the house on short sale in March to alleviate the house payment and used what disposable income I had to keep current with all other creditors and what was left went into the tiny house construction. I have been working with the state department of transportation to purchase "salvage” property left over after the relocation of S.R. 28 near Frankfort IN. The property is right across from where I work and will save the gas and time I now invest in my 52 mile round trip commute to and from work. The DOT grinds so slow it is maddening. I have to rezone the property for a single unit campground on special exception because there are no rights or precedence’s for tiny houses especially when it’s on wheels. Not an RV not a mobile home not a standard framed home but shares some features of all. To the Clinton County zoning board it "is" an RV hence it needs to be in a campground. I suppose if they thought it was kinda sorta like a mobile home I would have to file special exemption for a one unit mobile home park.
I am linking in my build thread. It is lengthy, but well illustrated and shows the care in design and strength of the tiny home’s framing.
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=47804The last two pages document the problems I am having with Tippecanoe county and placing the tiny house where I have just leased a 1500 square foot shop.
I will end with the most recent post on page 32 of the thread above from a very wise fellow from Illinois. He makes a lot of sense and exposes the crux of the problem experienced here and elsewhere.
Bob, my experience with local laws have always said that if something is not expressly allowed then anything else is not. So the fact that your building does not fit any current description may be what works against you. Most of my dealing with municipalities has been VERY frustrating. They are people that have never had to do anything but look in a book and find a way to deny you. Why, because that is the easiest way to end things. Looking for solutions or seeing that what you want to do is not covered anywhere is work. They won't go there.
If I were you I would not use my jail scenario. That was more you you, as to say they are putting you in jail with their ruling and they don't meet their own criteria. My experiences have also shown me that while you need to be firm you can't be rude or threatening in any way or they will just turn you away, and enjoy doing it.
My strategy would be to show them that times are changing. New ways of doing things are evolving. Use the green approach. Smaller dwellings that do not disturb the ground. Less carbon footprint. Less waste in both utilities and trash generated by larger homes. Show websites of tiny homes with examples of where people put them and how the local governments dealt with them. Be careful to show those communities that were welcoming and had a good experience with tiny homes and there owners. Use your arguments as a learning experience for those who's minds you need to change. Other than they don't have a box for your project to fit in ask them what the reasons for denying you are and what steps need to be taken to allow you to go forward. This has been the process since we stopped living in caves and moved into log cabins and tee pees. But somewhere along the way someone wanted to live in a mobile home and had to do what you are asking now. Others wanted to live in a townhouse, sharing walls and common grounds. All these required rearranging of the ways we were use to living. So what you are asking is no different. You just need to get them to see that this is a movement that is coming whether they like it or not. You just happen to be the first they are seeing of it. But you are there to educate them, not fight with them, and to find a solution. My suggestion, show them compelling arguments in favor of this . Then request a temporary variance, because you are not currently governed by a statute. Ask for a 3 year variance. At the end of that time your project could be evaluated. If they found you to be unworthy for ANY reason they could withdraw their variance and you put the wheels on you home and drive away. Before you do that, go to all the neighboring properties and ask for their blessing. You should also keep the property in pristine condition. Lawn always mowed, plant flowers, the place has to be charming. The same interest must be present that is there with our tiny campers. You know what happens where we drive into a camp ground with big 5th wheels and giant motor homes. They often times just dismiss us as Kooks. But once they see what we are doing they understand, and often compliment us on how streamlined or setups are.
I wish you well. I just caution you to go in smiling, not with guns drawn. These people are not usually reasonable, they don't have to be, they work for the government and unfortunately "we the people" are not who they work for.I am in hopes you can take a moment from your busy schedule to intercede for me and others who would like to embrace this simpler, greener, and more economic mode of housing. Washington State and Oregon have embraced the tiny lifestyle and have even offered state help to develop this trend. At current all Ken Brown the Tippecanoe County building commissioner can tell me is build it bigger and more wasteful.
Robert L. Henry
309 E. South St. until the bank take it back!
Linden, IN 47955
I have a lot more room! 
Sorry about your troubles with the zoning and permits. 
