Permits & Laws

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.

Permits are handled by your city (if you're inside city limits) or your county (if unincorporated). Below are the steps that apply almost everywhere; details vary locally. Step 1: Identify the type Decide between a foundation home/ADU and a tiny home on wheels. They follow different rules (HCD IB 2016-01). See Wheels vs. Foundation. Step 2: Check zoning and overlays Questions to answer for your lot: Is my zone residential? Does it allow ADUs or movable tiny houses? Am I in a

Short answer: Yes, but only if the home is built to one of the standards the state recognizes and it sits on a site where that type is allowed. California has no single "tiny home" law. (HCD Information Bulletin 2016-01) New to tiny homes? Start with our simple plan: 7 Steps to the Tiny Home Dream, from floor plans to move-in day. The legal "types" a tiny home can be According to the state housing department (HCD), a tiny home must be approved as one of these (IB 2016-01): Pa

Choosing wheels or a foundation decides almost everything else: where you can put the home, which permits you need, and how you can finance it. Side by side On wheels (THOW / park trailer) On a foundation Built to ANSI A119.5 or NFPA 1192 (IB 2016-01) California Residential/Building Code (IB 2016-01) Size limit (state) 400 sq ft gross for park trailers, lofts may be excluded (HSC §18009.3) Set by zoning/ADU rules; an ADU of at least 800 sq ft must be allowed (HCD ADU Handbook