Luxembourg Looks at Facilitating Tiny Houses Integration in Municipal Landscape

On Wednesday 3 May 2023, the Luxembourg Ministry of Home Affairs announced the need for new, clear urban planning regulations for “Tiny Houses”, an alternative, sustainable and minimalist type of housing of less than 50 m^2.

The ministry argued that current urban planning regulations hinder the implementation of these so-called Tiny Houses.

"Following a request from both civil society, represented in particular by the Tiny House Community Luxembourg, and from the municipalities, I decided to provide the municipalities with model regulations that would allow the installation of Tiny Houses on their territory," explained Taina Bofferding. Luxembourg’s Minister for Home Affairs.

Municipalities will then decide whether to adapt their regulations or not. The Ministry of Home Affairs has published a toolbox with the aim of guiding municipal officials in establishing appropriate regulations for Tiny Houses on land classified as a residential area and thereby to make this new form of alternative housing available in the Grand Duchy.

The rational use of land is one of the major principles to take into account for good urban planning, according to the ministry. Tiny Houses may not be the final answer to the housing crisis, but they could help create additional housing in otherwise undeveloped areas. This could also allow for more diversification in housing options which would have a potentially positive impact of the quality of life in communities by providing an increasingly socially mixed environment.

Tiny Houses are a form of housing taking into account the personal choice for a minimalist lifestyle, for people who value quality over quantity, independently of age, profession, salary or family situation of their inhabitants, the ministry added.

The ministry, referring to the position of the Tiny House Community, argued that recognising Tiny Houses as a legal form of housing and the development of standard regulations would provide a legal framework for their creation, which would next be evaluated by the municipalities in line with their individual needs and territory potential. The ministry recommended planning such individual and collective projects in collaboration with future inhabitants, adding modifications as needed to standard prefabricated house, in order to promote their long-term success.

Tiny Houses and their construction, management and habitation are uncharted territory in Luxembourg, but they offer an opportunity to learn more about the fields of alternative, minimalist and sustainable housing, according to the ministry.

The toolbox is available on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs.