That gap creates limitations in safety standards, permitting, and long-term usability. To address it, she and her collaborators are working with the International Code Council to propose a new classification for tiny homes on wheels —one that recognizes the structural reality of these homes while maintaining accessibility. “If we can create a model building code here, it can apply anywhere,” she says. Her thinking extends beyond local impact. “A lot of countries
look to U.S. code as a reference. If it exists here, it gives them something to build from.” — LUSTADO
Design as a System, Not a Project Looking ahead, Lustado’s focus isn’t on scaling her firm in the traditional sense.
Overlapping jurisdictional requirements. “There are several departments involved, and they don’t always align,” she says. For homeowners and developers alike, navigating those layers can significantly affect both timelines and project feasibility. In markets where permitting delays can define project timelines, that level of navigation becomes as valuable as the design itself. Advocating for a New System For more than a decade, Lustado has been involved in efforts to reshape how small-scale housing is regulated. Her focus is on creating a legal pathway for tiny homes, particularly those that exist between categories. “A tiny house on wheels is a hybrid,” she explains. “It should comply with residential code, but it’s treated like an RV.”
It’s on creating systems.
Standardized designs, modular compatibility, and scalable solutions that allow projects to move forward without starting from zero each time. 77
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