Square Footage Issue

[WellHelloThere888]

Texas
My husband's ex-wife has primary custody of their daughter and is worried about her living situation.
2 adults (man & wife) 2 children (9 & 3) with another baby on the way reside in a portable building that has been partially converted to a home. There is one entry door and a door on the restroom but no bedrooms, everything is out in the open. Are there any laws on the number of square feet per person? There are 2 adults and 2 children living in an appropriately 390 sq ft building.

 

[LdiJ]

Texas
My husband's ex-wife has primary custody of their daughter and is worried about her living situation.
2 adults (man & wife) 2 children (9 & 3) with another baby on the way reside in a portable building that has been partially converted to a home. There is one entry door and a door on the restroom but no bedrooms, everything is out in the open. Are there any laws on the number of square feet per person? There are 2 adults and 2 children living in an appropriately 390 sq ft building.

Any rules regarding square footage or bedrooms usually applies only to government subsidized housing or housing in conjunction with foster care. What you describe is unusual and you are being a bit vague about it so its hard to say if that might pose a problem.

 

[stealth2]

Texas
My husband's ex-wife has primary custody of their daughter and is worried about her living situation.
2 adults (man & wife) 2 children (9 & 3) with another baby on the way reside in a portable building that has been partially converted to a home. There is one entry door and a door on the restroom but no bedrooms, everything is out in the open. Are there any laws on the number of square feet per person? There are 2 adults and 2 children living in an appropriately 390 sq ft building.

If your husband is concerned about his children's living arrangements, perhaps he would consider posting himself? Under his own UserID?

 

[adjusterjack]

There was a time when people lived "12 in a room in America" and managed to survive.

Why does it seem like it's always the second wives are the ones asking these questions?

 

[stealth2]

There was a time when people lived "12 in a room in America" and managed to survive.

As they still do in much of the world.

Why does it seem like it's always the second wives are the ones asking these questions?

I couldn't begin to speculate (/sarcasm)

 

[t74]

Your DH should check with the appropriate local agency whether the building is a legal residence. The issue is not size but safety especially as it is becoming cold, and space heaters in makeshift homes are a frequent cause of fires.

 

[stealth2]

especially as it is becoming cold,

Might depend on where in TX...

 

[t74]

Might depend on where in TX...

I lived in Houston years ago, and we still needed heat on occasion. Any electrical in a makeshift residence is a problem. A shed (my city allows up to 400 sq ft unpermitted but would need an electrical permit to run power from the breakers) using an extension cord from another building would still be a concern.

The building should be a legal residential building. Start with whether it has a USPS postal address.

 

[LdiJ]

I lived in Houston years ago, and we still needed heat on occasion. Any electrical in a makeshift residence is a problem. A shed (my city allows up to 400 sq ft unpermitted but would need an electrical permit to run power from the breakers) using an extension cord from another building would still be a concern.

The building should be a legal residential building. Start with whether it has a USPS postal address.

She called it a portable building. Those usually have proper plumbing and are wired for electricity. They operate kind of like a mobile home.

 

[stealth2]

I'm now thinking "tiny house"...

 

[LdiJ]

I'm now thinking "tiny house"...

Could be. It's certainly possible.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

She called it a portable building. Those usually have proper plumbing and are wired for electricity. They operate kind of like a mobile home.

I'd be willing to bet that the vast majority don't have plumbing and only somewhat more have electricity.

These are porable buildings.

https://www.google.com/search?q=portable+buildings&sxsrf=ACYBGNQs_H41R0ILXMslgBto_hMSgGVL5A:1575902940700&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjYhez356jmAhVGcq0KHSJ2DUUQ_AUoAnoECBAQBA&biw=1419&bih=852

 

[stealth2]

As it this...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/678049090/tiny-house-in-arizona-move-in-ready?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_all&utm_custom1=3bb7acbd-584b-4bbb-a424-1a8b31813aa9&utm_content=bing_319339186_1310617986645934_81913644654434_pla-4585513245482005:pla-4585513245482005_c__678049090&msclkid=3706ea3ec5b1172cbeb2b7d0a7a71d04

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

So is this...

...but it isn't what comes to mind when one hears portable building.

 

[stealth2]

I know, but until OP or hubs post again, we'll never know which option it really is.