If you want to build or own a so-called tiny house, you should be able to do so, right?

Not necessarily, according to Kitsap County Department of Community Development. The county considers such houses “mobile” homes, and a cluster of tiny houses would be considered a mobile home park — and no more of those are allowed in the county. According to the county, a bedroom must be 7 feet by 10 feet; tiny houses usually have sleeping lofts. There are also concerns about the handling of wastewater, although many tiny houses have composting toilets and “gray” water from sinks and tubs can be used for irrigation.

The county needs to develop a set of housing and zoning standards tailored to tiny houses. Doing so would provide a route for those seeking housing stability.

Debbie Masio, a 32-year resident of Kingston, became an affordable-housing advocate after she had to find a new place to live. She lives on a fixed income and found rents to be out of reach. She now lives month-to-month in a 150-square-foot room at the Blue Water Inn.

Masio has a possible solution: a self-sustaining, owner-build neighborhood of tiny houses. She believes tiny houses, which range from the size of her hotel room to less than 500 square feet, could be an alternative for residents on fixed or lower-than-necessary incomes.

She may be on to something. According to thetinylife.com, 68 percent of tiny-house owners have no mortgage, compared to 20.3 percent of all U.S. homeowners; 55 percent of tiny-house dwellers have more savings in the bank than the average American; 78 percent of tiny-house dwellers own their home, compared to 65 percent of homeowners with traditional homes. The average cost to build a tiny house is $23,000 if built by the owner.

There is a lack of affordable and/or subsidized housing in Kitsap County. Rents have skyrocketed in the last four years. Affordable rentals for people living on fixed income have waiting lists of one to three years. Tiny houses could be a solution.