Columbus Council Weighs Tiny Homes Ordinance
Councilor Toyia Tucker proposed allowing tiny homes by adopting Georgia state building codes into Columbus rules.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Home Organization
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Columbus City Council member Toyia Tucker has proposed an ordinance that would allow tiny homes in the city by adopting Georgia Department of Community Affairs codes into local building rules. The council will vote on the ordinance next Tuesday.
Why it matters
Columbus currently requires houses to be at least 700 square feet and has no building code that permits tiny homes to be built. The proposal is framed as an innovative approach to affordable housing in the state's second-largest city.
The ordinance would adopt Georgia Department of Community Affairs codes, which already include state-level tiny home standards, into Columbus building codes. Current local rules require at least 700 square feet, and whether the council will approve the change remains unresolved until the vote.
The players
Toyia Tucker
Toyia Tucker is the District 4 City Councilor for Columbus, Georgia, who brought the tiny home ordinance before the council.
Columbus City Council
The Columbus City Council is the legislative body of Columbus, Georgia, which will vote on whether to adopt the proposed tiny home building codes.
The details
Tucker said the proposal was inspired by a tiny home village in Savannah created by Chatham County with a homeless coalition, veterans groups and other agencies, which was built specifically for veterans. Reporting found two Phenix City residents living in smaller homes and an independent investor there who leases tiny-style homes, while listed tiny home prices start as low as $50,000.
Timeline
This week: Tucker brought the ordinance before the Columbus City Council.
Next Tuesday: The council is scheduled to vote on the tiny home ordinance.
Legacy Rules
The proposal would bring Columbus into line with Georgia Department of Community Affairs tiny home codes that already exist at the state level but are not yet reflected in local building rules. It marks a departure from the city's current 700-square-foot house minimum.
If adopted, the ordinance would give Columbus residents a legal path to build tiny homes, which are currently not permitted under local codes. Residents considering smaller or lower-cost housing would see whether the city's 700-square-foot minimum changes after the vote.
The takeaway
Tiny homes are a possible route to lower-cost housing in Columbus, but the city's current rules block them. Residents interested in small-space living should watch the council's vote next Tuesday to see whether local codes change.
What happens next
The Columbus City Council will vote on the tiny home ordinance next Tuesday.
Further reading
For more on small-space living, see Home Organization in Columbus.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wtvm.
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Should Columbus allow tiny homes to be built to address affordable housing?
