Hi, my name is Macy Miller. For the past several years, I’ve been working, alongside many others, to create a legitimate, durable path for movable tiny homes to be recognized in the International Residential Code (IRC), the model building code used across the United States.

Why this matters

Right now, tiny homes live in a legal gray area. Many are well-designed, thoughtfully built, and deeply loved — but because they aren’t clearly recognized in the IRC, owners and builders face inconsistent enforcement, limited placement options, and ongoing uncertainty. That lack of clarity puts tiny house builders and owners at risk.

The opportunity in front of us

This year, we reached a rare and critical opportunity to change that.

A proposal known as RB42-25 has advanced through the ICC code development process. Its purpose is simple but powerful: to formally recognize Movable Tiny Homes in the IRC using language that building officials already understand and trust.

This is not about creating overbearing safety standards. It’s about aligning tiny homes with existing building code logic so they can be permitted, inspected, and accepted nationwide.

Who’s doing the work

Getting to this point has required months of technical drafting, committee testimony, and strategic navigation of a complex code process that most people never see.

This work is being carried out by a dedicated group of tiny house advocates alongside independent experts - including architects, engineers, and code specialists - who have stepped up not for profit, but because they believe housing choice matters.

Unlike large industry players, these experts don’t have corporate backing. They are volunteering their credibility, their time, and their reputations — and they still have to show up in person at key hearings if this effort is going to succeed.

Advocates at this stage include Martin Hammer, David Eisenberg, Anthony Dente, Jewel Pearson, Vera Struck, Mike Spooner, Vina Lustado, Rich Crowley, James Herndon, and Macy Miller.

How this fundraiser helps

Funds raised here will support required in-person participation at a critical ICC hearing in Hartford, Connecticut at the end of April, covering travel, lodging, and limited professional expenses so the tiny house community is accurately represented.

Our goal is to raise $18,000, allowing advocates to testify and cover essential technical work:

✈️ Flights: 10 @ ~$600 = $6,000

Shared hotels: ~5 rooms, 2 nights = $3,000

Engineering & expert fees (prescriptive language): ~$9,000

Hundreds of volunteer hours have already gone into this effort. While much of the work is donated, certain technical and engineering contributions must be compensated to ensure accuracy, credibility, and acceptance within the code process.

The long-term impact

If approved, this prescriptive engineering language will:

When we chip in together, a few dollars from many can reduce risks and engineering costs for all.

Why now

This is a heavy lift in a narrow window. Code changes happen on long cycles, and if this opportunity slips away, another viable path won’t be available until 2030.

Supporting this effort now is about protecting the future of tiny homes as a legitimate, respected housing option.

If tiny homes have ever helped you, inspired you, or represented freedom and possibility — this is a moment where that vision can be protected in a lasting way.

Thank you for being part of it.

If you’re unable to contribute financially but can donate airline miles or hotel points — or if you have questions — you’re very welcome to reach out to me directly.