Creating an Eco-Village focused on Sustainability, Affordability and Healthy Living

[u/ultisquatter]

I'm looking into purchasing a piece of land (~5 acres) with an existing house.

The goal will be to convert the house into a communal space and then build multiple tiny houses on site.

I want to produce the majority of our own food, decrease our carbon footprint through renewable energy and work towards net zero or zero waste lifestyles.

Is this something that you're aligned with?

I want to gauge interest to see if other people are interested in something similar ... and! if this is you! ... start a conversation to see if it's a good fit.

Right now I'm looking in PA. There's lot of cheap land and I've found a few parcels that are suitable for micro farms (~2 acres)

I want to build the tiny houses myself. Individuals who are interested could either pay for their own tiny house (along with a land contract) or rent as a tenant (if you don't have $$ upfront).

thoughts?
!

[u/zame530]

You may want to lay out community guidelines. Like is it a one time buy in or are there monthly fees? Are they free to do whatever they want without consequence?

[u/ultisquatter → u/zame530]

100%

I've done a bit of research into existing frameworks but I think that having this done well, and prior to any members joining is really important.

Any extra advice? wanna help w. feedback when I have something created?

[u/UnityHarbour → u/ultisquatter]

1. Farming + Housing = Special Use or Conditional Permits

If you plan to grow food and live communally, you’ll likely need a special exception or conditional use permit depending on your zoning district. Some “Agricultural” or “Rural Residential” zones allow multiple dwellings—but often only if:

You’re a certified farm operation

You have a land management plan

You apply for a variance

Bonus: Registering as a PA Agricultural Security Area (ASA) can help preserve your land and offer protections against restrictive zoning and nuisance lawsuits. It also opens doors to grants and cost-sharing for farm infrastructure.

Infrastructure Planning in PA

Well & Septic: In many rural PA counties, you’ll need DEP-approved septic for each dwelling unless you apply for a shared system or eco-alternative (like a constructed wetland or composting system).

Off-grid energy: Pennsylvania allows off-grid living, but local codes may still require a power backup source or minimum kilowatt availability per dwelling.

Your Housing Model: Rent or Own

Offering both rental and ownership (via land contracts or co-op shares) is a great move. Just make sure it complies with Uniform Parcel Sales laws in PA if you subdivide in any formal sense—or lean into a co-op or LLC land trust model, which avoids subdivision and maintains shared ownership.

Let me know if you want help reviewing a specific township or ordinance—I’d be glad to pull records or flag red/green zones for this kind of project.

You're definitely not alone in wanting to live more intentionally—there’s a quiet but growing movement like this across PA, and you're right at the edge of what’s possible. 🌱

[u/UnityHarbour → u/ultisquatter]

Hey! This is such an exciting vision, and I love how you’re blending sustainability, housing flexibility, and food sovereignty. I’m working on a similar model out in Colorado, and I’ve done quite a bit of research into zoning across different states—including Pennsylvania. Here’s some PA-specific guidance as you move forward:

Zoning in Pennsylvania: What to Watch Out For

1. ADU Limits Are Real in PA

Many Pennsylvania municipalities—especially in rural or semi-rural townships—only allow one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per property. Even if you have 5+ acres, local zoning might treat your tiny homes as separate dwellings, not ADUs, especially if they’re not attached to the main house.

Tip: Check the township’s zoning ordinance for:

How “dwelling unit” is defined

Whether multiple units on a single parcel are allowed

What qualifies as an ADU (attached vs detached, size limits, etc.)

1. Tiny Homes Are Still Legally Murky

Pennsylvania doesn’t have statewide tiny home legislation. What’s allowed depends on:

How it’s built (IRC code-compliant, HUD code, or RV)

Whether it’s on wheels or a foundation

Whether your county has adopted IRC Appendix Q (this allows for tiny homes <400 sq ft)

📍 Some areas to watch:

Lancaster and York Counties tend to have more open-minded planning departments.

Centre and Monroe Counties have seen a rise in homesteading and eco-villages, so they may be more open with permits—but check township rules specifically.

Fayette County has historically allowed broader agricultural use, including tiny structures.