Zoning for Micro Apartments

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While there is no authoritative definition of micro apartment, most commentators reserve this label for new multifamily residences with less than 400 square feet of living space. However, given the relative range of unit sizes across municipalities, the term micro apartment is perhaps best saved for efficiency units that are at least 20 percent smaller than the average size in the area. Few communities address micro apartments explicitly in their zoning codes. In fact, many zoning codes make it physically impossible or financially infeasible to build very small efficiency dwelling units.

This issue of Zoning Practice discusses why rising demand for micro apartments may merit zoning changes, and how a small number of cities have amended their codes to add definitions, use permissions, and additional standards to sanction smaller dwelling units than would otherwise be permissible.

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