Committee Hears Bill to Create Building Codes for Kit Homes

A legislative committee on Wednesday heard testimony on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5552, which would require the State Building Code Council to adopt rules governing "kit homes"—residential structures 800 square feet or smaller made of prefabricated walls, floors and roofs that are assembled on-site—by March 31, 2027.

Sen. Jeff Wilson, the bill's prime sponsor, told the committee the proposal is a straightforward effort to expand housing options amid the state's housing shortage. "It's exact same principle here," Wilson said, comparing kit homes to historic mail-order houses. "You can order a home from a factory, but it will come to you in pieces ready to assemble." He said the bill would add another option to the housing "menu" to help alleviate supply shortages.

Committee staff Kellen Wright said the council would be required to undertake rulemaking on the portions of the state building code applicable to kit homes by the specified deadline. Wright noted kit homes would be defined as residential structures 800 square feet or smaller comprised of prefabricated components assembled on-site and that a prior-session amendment excluding prefabricated emergency shelters does not appear in this version of the bill.

During questioning, committee members asked whether the bill would cover factory-assembled, modular, or 3D-printed homes. Wilson responded the bill targets structures that "come in pieces or a kit" and does not include factory-assembled or fully manufactured modular units.

At a subsequent public hearing on the measure, testimony was supportive. Matthew Mixer, speaking for himself, said the bill "does not remove safety standards" and "does ensure appropriate tailored standards for smaller housing types while maintaining structural and fire safety requirements." Mixer told the committee the bill would not override local zoning or inspection requirements and argued clearer statewide building-code guidance would reduce permitting delays.

The committee took no final vote Wednesday; the item was heard and public comment was taken. The bill's next procedural steps were not recorded in the hearing transcript.

Provenance: Staff briefing began with Kellen Wright ("The bill before you is engrossed substitute senate bill 5 5 5 2,") and the public-testimony segment with Matthew Mixer occurred later when the committee reopened SB 5552 for comment.