Accessible Dwelling Unit (Rathdrum, Shoshone, Kootenai: lofts, mobile home, water heater)

[Shawna01]

We live on the Rathdrum Prairie on 5 acres. We have an adult son who is disabled and we would like to build him an accessible living unit that would be detached from our main residence. The unit can have a kitchen, bathroom and have a Max. 1,000 sq ft. living space. They allow these units to be built in rural areas but I cannot find any rules regarding hooking up this additional residence to our existing septic tank.
Is there anyone who has built one of these Accessible living units and connected to their existing septic on a 5 acre parcel? Is there any rules on the size of the tank or any permits we may need to get to do this?

[oldafretired]

Originally Posted by Shawna01

We live on the Rathdrum Prairie on 5 acres. We have an adult son who is disabled and we would like to build him an accessible living unit that would be detached from our main residence. The unit can have a kitchen, bathroom and have a Max. 1,000 sq ft. living space. They allow these units to be built in rural areas but I cannot find any rules regarding hooking up this additional residence to our existing septic tank.
Is there anyone who has built one of these Accessible living units and connected to their existing septic on a 5 acre parcel? Is there any rules on the size of the tank or any permits we may need to get to do this?

It's probably best to contact Kootenai County and the Panhandle Health District to get the right scoop. I looked into this awhile ago and if you already have a septic tank for the existing house, it is most likely sized for that house so you will usually need another tank for the accessory living unit. Also if you are over the Rathdrum Aquifer ten acres are the minimum to build a 1000 sq. ft. or less accessory living unit. Here are some links:

http://www.kcgov.us/departments/plan...2012-06-06.pdf

Kootenai County, Idaho

Kootenai County, Idaho

Panhandle Health District 1: Serving Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone counties of Idaho of Idaho

[banjomike]

Hi, Shawna…
Depending on your son's needs, you might want to check out a 'tiny house'. There is a big movement happening right now in designing very livable homes that are much smaller than 1000 sq. feet. Many are built on a flat trailer platform with wheels, so they may qualify for a mobile home, even though few travel very much.

They can be purchased as fully built, or plans can be purchased. The smallest are less than 100 square feet- as small as 75 sq. ft.- and the largest go up to about 700 sq. ft.

Tumbleweed Houses is one of the first of these companies, and I like their designs very much. If your son has a physical disability, he may not be able to climb the ladder/stairs that are part of many of their designs, but there are many tiny homes that don't have a second floor, or have a main floor bedroom. Composting toilets are available, which might be a solution to any septic tank restrictions.

Here's one of the Tumbleweed Houses' new designs:

Linden

Google tiny houses and other companies will come up.

Since these houses are so small, they may be allowed to connect with your present septic tank; many are the size of a garden shed, but they are very well thought out and are very comfy for a single person. Most are very well insulated, feature a small efficient propane heater and and on-demand water heater and while small, aren't cramped at all.

Best of luck to you.

[javatom]

Mike,
That is some funny stuff. I can't imagine anyone being dumb enough to shell out 60k for one of those redneck trailer houses. It would be funny to see one going down the road though. I had a client once ask me to design them a small house. They even bought me a copy of "The not so big house". By the time it was designed to their satisfaction, it was 5200 sf. The "small" house is great topic for conversation, usually among the prius drivers. In reality, very few people actually want one. With that said, 1000 sf is enough square footage do design a nice simple living space.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by javatom

Mike,
That is some funny stuff. I can't imagine anyone being dumb enough to shell out 60k for one of those redneck trailer houses. It would be funny to see one going down the road though. I had a client once ask me to design them a small house. They even bought me a copy of "The not so big house". By the time it was designed to their satisfaction, it was 5200 sf. The "small" house is great topic for conversation, usually among the prius drivers. In reality, very few people actually want one. With that said, 1000 sf is enough square footage do design a nice simple living space.

Yeah. The factory built stuff is over spendy for sure. I don't think very many are used as trailers, though.
There was a passing fad back in the 70's for home built trailers and motor homes that looked like these houses. A lot of young road hippies built them and I used to see caravans of them on the Interstate from time to time.

Plans are much cheaper, for sure, and allow more customization. I think one could be built off plans by a good carpenter for 1/2- 2/3 the factory price/

I don't think they are over-small, though. except for the very most tiny.
I spend a winter in a 16' Airstream that was smaller, as are all the older class C motor homes. And I know several people who live in homes of less than 1000 sq. feet. But most approach 1000, and are 850-900 sq. ft.
The lofts add a lot of living or storage space, and don't add to the square footage very much. All the folks I know have places with lofts.

Give a single disable person's needs, I don't think they're too small. The are a lll certainly bigger than most bedrooms, and would allow a lot more solitary privacy. It all depends on the disability and it's degree, of course.