THETFORD — The Selectboard will meet Monday with plans to consider changes to town zoning regarding accessory dwelling units. The proposed changes would generally loosen requirements on such residences — often referred to as “in-law apartments” or standalone housing added to an otherwise single-family property — while allowing the town to retain some regulatory oversight.

For fans of so-called tiny homes, it’s a small but promising step for housing regulations, though some tiny-home advocates had hoped hoping for language specifically addressing the diminutive dwellings.

In New Hampshire and Vermont, tiny homes and their subset, tiny homes on wheels, referred to as THOW, have seeped into the fabric of rural and populated areas alike faster than state and local lawmakers can regulate them. Builders, owners and renters abound in both states. Though many are intended to be primary homes, living spaces of 400 square feet or less are not uncommon, which make them ideal as subordinate dwelling units — they’re ready-made standalone housing that can fit in a backyard.

In the absence of explicit guidelines, communities such as Thetford are left to set their own rules.

The town’s Planning Commission has recommended zoning bylaw changes that don’t make a specific mention of any type of tiny home.

Existing regulations would be replaced with the following language: “a. All Accessory Dwelling Units in all zones are permitted uses. b. There shall be site plan approval for dwelling units that are outside the principal dwelling. Such units shall comply with section 6.05 (Site Plan Review) and section 6.04 (General standards.)”

Advocates for tiny homes are concerned because neither the current bylaw nor the proposed revisions make mention of tiny homes or THOW. Over the course of the summer, they’ve urged Thetford officials to consider adding specific language about tiny homes in its recommendations to the Selectboard.

At the Planning Commission’s July 19 meeting, commission member Cynthia Shelton urged her colleagues to include THOW in the accessory dwelling unit revisions at the earliest stages possible to avoid confusion down the road.

Commission Chairman David Forbes said at the time that the recommendations had already been sent to the Selectboard but acknowledged that further adjustments were possible and merit further investigation.

The Selectboard is scheduled to take up the Planning Commission recommendations at 7 p.m. Monday at Thetford Town Hall. The meeting can be attended in person or virtually. The remote link to join is available on the town website.

L.A. Wetzel can be reached at LAWetzel@proton.me.