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Proposed Ordinance - Tiny Homes

                                                             OFFICIAL NOTICE

                                                        VILLAGE OF HAWKINS

                                                 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 15 – CHAPTER 1 OF THE VILLAGE OF HAWKINS VILLAGE CODE RELATED TO TINY HOMES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Village Board of the Village of Hawkins will hold a public hearing at the Hawkins Community Center, 509 Main St, Hawkins,  Wisconsin, on August 3, 2026, to receive comments and input on the proposal to amend the Village of Hawkins code related to Tiny Homes.  The Village Board meeting starts at 5:30 pm and the public hearing will be held immediately after the agenda item entitled Tiny Home Ordinance is announced.

The draft ordinance is available in the office of the Village Clerk and may be viewed during Village office hours Monday, Thursday, or Friday from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. 

Any interested persons may attend this meeting and voice their comments or concerns.  If it is inconvenient to appear at the hearing, you may file your comments, by letter, containing your name and address, stating fully what the comments are, to the Hawkins Village Board, PO Box 108, Hawkins, WI  54530.

VILLAGE OF HAWKINS

ORDINANCE REGULATING TINY HOMES

Section 1. Purpose

The purpose of this ordinance is to establish standards for tiny homes within the Village of Hawkins in order to ensure safe, sanitary, and code-compliant housing while preserving the residential character of the community

Section 2. Definitions

Tiny Home:
A dwelling unit containing a minimum of four hundred (400) square feet of habitable floor area, constructed on a permanent foundation, intended for year-round occupancy, and connected to required utilities.

Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW):
A structure mounted on a chassis or trailer frame and designed for transport. Tiny homes on wheels shall be classified as recreational vehicles.

Permanent Foundation:
A fixed and permanent foundation meeting applicable Wisconsin building code requirements and frost protection standards.

Section 3. Permitted Use

Tiny homes shall be permitted within the Village of Hawkins only when all requirements of this ordinance are met.

Section 4. Requirements

All tiny homes shall meet the following requirements:

  1. The structure shall be constructed on a permanent foundation.
  2. The structure shall contain a minimum of four hundred (400) square feet of habitable floor area.
  3. The structure shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, including Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 320–325, as amended.
  4. The structure shall be connected to:
    • Municipal water service
    • Municipal sanitary sewer service
    • Approved electrical service
  5. The structure shall be designed and maintained for year-round occupancy.
  6. Only one (1) tiny home shall be permitted per lot.

Section 5. Winterization and Cold Climate Standards

All tiny homes intended for year-round occupancy shall be constructed and maintained to safely withstand Wisconsin winter conditions.

The following minimum standards shall apply:

  1. The structure shall meet or exceed insulation requirements under the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.
  2. The structure shall contain a permanent, code-compliant heating system capable of maintaining an indoor temperature of at least sixty-eight degrees (68°F).
  3. Portable space heaters shall not be considered an acceptable primary heat source.
  4. Water supply lines, drain lines, and related plumbing systems shall be protected from freezing.
  5. Foundations and related structural components shall meet applicable Wisconsin frost protection requirements
  6. The structure shall maintain continuous year-round access to water, sewer, and electrical service.
  7. Exterior walls, windows, doors, roofing, and related building components shall be weather-resistant and designed to prevent moisture intrusion and excessive heat loss.

Section 6. Prohibited Uses

The following shall be prohibited within the Village of Hawkins:

  1. Use of recreational vehicles, campers, trailers, or tiny homes on wheels as permanent residences.
  2. Use of tiny homes on wheels as short-term rentals.
  3. Occupancy of any tiny home not connected to required utilities.

Section 7. Enforcement

Any violation of this ordinance may result in:

  • Municipal citations
  • Removal orders
  • Denial or revocation of occupancy approval

Section 8. Authority

This ordinance is adopted pursuant to the authority granted under Wisconsin Statutes, including but not limited to:

  • Wis. Stat. § 61.34
  • Wis. Stat. § 66.0413
  • Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 320–325