Peachland, B.C. couple in dispute with regional district over living in tiny home

Ryan King claims he has been in an ongoing battle for the past three-years with the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) to remain living in his tiny home on wheels.

An Okanagan man says he’s been living a quiet and sustainable lifestyle in a tiny home on his 12-acre property near Peachland, B.C., for seven years.

Ryan King built the tiny home on wheels to building code for around $25,000, with the intention of permanently living in it year-round with his wife and pets.

“I’m rarely ever inside, so that’s why I bought a big piece of land — to live in a tiny home, whereas most people live in a big home on a small piece of land,” said King.

“Cost effective and simple. I am always outside doing something, so why would I need a 4000-square-foot house?”

According to King, he and his wife have lived there without an issue, until recently when a neighbour filed a complaint about his living situation.

King says that resulted in an ongoing battle for the past three years with the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) to remain living in his tiny home on wheels.

“Periodically, they pay me a visit randomly and they have been giving me these little $100 fines here and there for unpermitted use of land. In other words, living in a tiny home on my property,” said King.

“It’s been nothing major, but over the last few years it has accumulated to about $1,000 in fines.”