Meridian Woman Will Seek Further Review in Case Challenging City’s Ban on Tiny Homes on Wheels

BOISE, Idaho—Today, Judge Jason D. Scott of the District Court of Ada County ruled against Chasidy Decker and Robert Calacal’s lawsuit challenging Meridian’s ban on tiny homes on wheels. The court found the lawsuit was moot because Chasidy and Robert had not satisfied Meridian’s Unified Ownership Requirement, which requires that the owner of the primary residence also own the Secondary Dwelling Unit (SDU) on that property. The court also dismissed their unequal enforcement and free-speech retaliation claims. Chasidy and Robert are represented by the Institute for Justice (IJ) in their challenge against the city’s ban, which plans to seek review of today’s ruling.

Chasidy Decker is a native of the Treasure Valley who bought a beautiful tiny home to continue living in the area despite skyrocketing housing costs. She arranged to park it on Meridian homeowner Robert Calacal’s private property for modest rent. Although Chasidy and Robert were both happy with the arrangement, the city was not. Meridian Code Enforcement threatened Chasidy and Robert with fines and jail time if she didn’t leave her only home. Chasidy and Robert filed a lawsuit in 2022 challenging the city’s irrational and arbitrary ban on tiny homes on wheels for violating the Idaho Constitution. 

“I’m devastated that, after waiting two years, I won’t be able to move back into my tiny home on Robert’s property anytime soon,” said Chasidy Decker. “This is terrible news for tiny-homeowners and others like me who need more affordable housing alternatives in Idaho.”

“The City’s requirement that the same person has to own both Chasidy’s tiny home and Robert’s house in order to get an SDU permit is irrational,” said IJ attorney Bob Belden. “But we will seek review of this ruling to help protect the property rights of Chasidy and Robert and other Idahoans who wish to make productive use of their residential property to provide more housing.”