Start Here

Short answers to the questions California tiny home buyers ask most, with links to our full guides.

How to get a tiny home in California in 7 simple steps, from your first floor plan and financing to picking a builder, delivery and move-in day.

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