Local Guides

Backyard tiny home basics for the Stockton, Modesto and Bakersfield areas, with each county's free ADU plans.

The rules for a backyard tiny home in unincorporated Monterey County: setbacks, free plans, septic, water and the coastal zone.

The rules for a backyard tiny home in unincorporated Ventura County: size, setbacks, permit paths, free plans and the foundation rule.

Sonoma County allows tiny homes on wheels for temporary uses, and Napa County allows ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft. Here's how wine country works.

In Sacramento County and the City of Sacramento, a lived-in tiny home needs a permanent foundation. Here's what that means for a backyard ADU.

The rules for a backyard tiny home in unincorporated Orange County: size, setbacks, parking, rentals and the County's pre-approved ADU plans.

How backyard tiny homes and ADUs work in unincorporated Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, with timelines, unit limits and septic basics.

A desert take on tiny homes in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley: the questions to ask about insulation, shade and off-grid power, plus local ADU rules.

The Bay Area has dozens of cities with their own ADU rules, but state law sets a floor they all share. Here's what that means for a backyard tiny home.

Inside Santa Cruz city limits, a small backyard ADU can follow a short list of state-protected standards. Here's what City homeowners need to know.

In the City of Santa Barbara, a tiny home can be an ADU on a permanent foundation. Here's how Standard and Special ADUs work, including in fire hazard areas.

The City of San Luis Obispo allows backyard tiny homes on wheels, while the unincorporated County requires a foundation. Here's how each path works.

A step-by-step path to a tiny home in Los Angeles, and how the rules differ between the City of LA and unincorporated LA County.

Shopping for land for a tiny home in unincorporated San Diego County? Here's what to look for in a lot, from road access and utilities to septic, wells, zoning and fire areas.

Unincorporated San Diego County now treats a qualifying tiny home on wheels as a dwelling, so it can be your main home, not just a backyard ADU. Here are the rules in plain words.

What San Diego homeowners need to know about backyard tiny homes in 2026: City and County rules for tiny homes on wheels and ADUs, a checklist, and next steps.

Last verified: October 21, 2026. San Diego has two different sets of rules: unincorporated County areas and the City of San Diego. Other cities (Carlsbad, Oceanside, Chula Vista, etc.) set their own rules; Zen's $500 site assessment checks what fits your lot. Quick answer Where Unincorporated County City of San Diego Backyard, foundation ADU Yes (state ADU law) Yes (state ADU law) Backyard, tiny home on wheels Yes, as an accessory dwelling Yes, as a "movable tiny house" Own l

Last verified: October 21, 2026. Los Angeles County includes many cities plus unincorporated areas, each with its own rules. This page covers the City of Los Angeles, which has a clear movable tiny house rule. Other cities and unincorporated LA County are not yet verified; Zen's $500 site assessment checks what fits your lot. For a step-by-step look at City of LA vs. unincorporated LA County, read Getting a Tiny Home in Los Angeles. Quick answer (City of Los Angeles) Where Al

Last verified: October 21, 2026. This covers unincorporated Santa Cruz County. Cities such as Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola and Scotts Valley have their own rules. Quick answer Where Allowed? Backyard, foundation ADU Yes (state ADU law) Tiny home on wheels Yes, with a County permit; one per parcel THOW as the primary home Yes, but it then requires fire sprinklers THOW as an ADU No. The County says THOWs may not be permitted as ADUs, following state HCD guidance Flood haza

Last verified: October 21, 2026. This page covers the City of Fresno, which publishes clear tiny home rules. Unincorporated Fresno County and other cities (Clovis, Sanger, etc.) are not yet verified; Zen's $500 site assessment checks what fits your lot. Quick answer (City of Fresno) Where Allowed? Backyard, tiny home on wheels Yes, as an ADU in the "Backyard Cottage" category THOW as the only/primary home No Foundation ADU Yes (state ADU law) Source for all City rules below: