If you want to live in a tiny house, one of the preliminary steps before you even choose a floor plan is to research tiny house laws where you want to live. You need to make sure you understand those regulations so that your home and where you place it will meet them. In this guide, we give an overview of what you need to know as you explore tiny house laws in your state.
State Tiny House Laws
The first thing you need to do is look up the tiny house laws at the state level. Here are some important things to note:
- Some states directly and clearly address tiny houses. Others do not, and may have no laws regulating them at the state level.
- Some states have specific definitions for “tiny house,” while others may not. Definitions can vary from state to state.
Most states leave the vast majority of tiny house regulatory powers in the hands of local city and county governments. A few states have specific rules dictating that local governments must accommodate tiny homes. Those states are more tiny house-friendly. But there are still plenty of opportunities to be found in the other states as well.
Local Tiny House Laws
Once you are aware of how your state treats tiny houses, your next step is to research the laws in the city and county where you want to reside. Here are some things to pay attention to:
- Classifications: Sometimes local governments are the ones that classify what is and is not a “tiny house,” as well as what is and is not an “RV.”
- Building codes: Research tiny house building codes for your city and county so that you know how to have your home built to code.
- Zoning ordinances: These will dictate whether or not you can place a tiny house on a particular piece of land for full-time living, and under what conditions.
- RV laws: It is really important to look up the laws surrounding RV use if your tiny home is classified as one (as is often the case with park model tiny homes as well as tiny houses on wheels). Check if you are legally allowed to live in an RV full-time, as well as whether you are required to place it in an RV park. Also check how long you are allowed to keep the RV in one location without moving it. Some areas are particularly restrictive, so you may want to keep looking for other locations to put your tiny house.
Where can you find all of this information? You will need to look directly in the city and county codes and zoning ordinances. You may also find memos, news stories, and other information online that can help you make sense of the local laws and how they have changed over time, as well as upcoming changes that may be on the way.
Remember, if in doubt, you can always ask questions directly of your local building department. Your tiny home company also may be able to help you better understand tiny house regulations.
Additional Laws of Interest
Once you have familiarized yourself with everything discussed above, you should be in pretty good shape to start planning your own tiny house. But there are some additional laws you should also look up.
- Property tax laws: Look up what the laws are regarding property taxes you will need to pay on your tiny home as well as any land you own. Pay especially close attention to property tax laws for RVs, if your home is classified as one. Some states tax RVs as property, while others do not. Tiny homes on foundations are always taxed as property.
- Off-grid-related laws: Do you want to live off the grid in your tiny home? Then you will need to learn the regulations concerning zoning and utilities. Find out if you are allowed to live on the land you are thinking of without connecting to the grid. Also look up laws that relate to solar power, watcher catchment, etc.
General Recommendations
Finally, here are a couple more quick recommendations for when you are exploring tiny house laws where you want to live.
- Make sure you have up-to-date knowledge: Tiny houses are a growing trend, but a lot of states, cities and counties are just beginning to address them. That means that regulations are being modified on a frequent basis in many locations. So, you need to check the current laws before you begin on a project. Do not assume that the previous laws apply, even if they are only a few months old.
- Set up a meeting with your local building department: If you have a sea of questions, it makes sense to get answers directly from your local building department. As the local building officials have a vested interest in making sure you are conforming to building codes and zoning requirements, they will often be willing to set up a meeting with you to answer your questions and walk you through what you need to do to apply for your building permits (if necessary).
Once you know all the tiny house laws applicable to your situation, then you will know what design features your floor plan will need, and where you can put your new tiny home.
We Can Build You a Park Model Home That is Up to Code
At Park Model Homes, we have experience working with tiny house buyers located throughout the US. We have a deep familiarity with state and local laws across the country, and can work closely with you to make sure that your home will be fully up to code for where you wish to place it.
If you have questions about tiny house laws, building or placing a tiny home, or any of our floor plans, please contact us.
