Tiny Home Delivery & Setup in California: What to Expect
Your tiny home is built off-site, so at some point it has to travel to you. A little planning makes delivery day smooth. Here's what to know.
Ready to start? Fill out the Zen Tiny Homes Buyers Application or call Zen Tiny Homes at 760-492-0742.
Road Size Limits in California
California law sets the size of loads on public roads. These are the general limits:
Limit | General rule | Source |
Width | 102 inches (8' 6") | |
Height | 14 feet | |
Bigger loads | Need a transportation permit |
Cities and counties can limit width to 96 inches on their own roads. Loads over 13' 6" tall can only use roads deemed safe by the operator, which is why low bridges and wires matter on your route.
Getting Your Lot Ready
Access: measure gates, driveways, slopes and tight turns from the street to your spot.
Overhead: look for power lines, tree branches and roof eaves.
Pad or foundation: a tiny home on wheels sits on a level pad; a foundation ADU needs a foundation built first. Some rules spell this out. For example, San Diego County's tiny home on wheels rules call for a paved pad.
Hookups: know where water, sewer or septic, and power will connect.
Setup Day
On setup day, the home is moved into place, leveled and secured. Then utilities are connected, often with their own permits, before final inspections.
Plan Early
The tightest delivery problems are easy to fix on paper and hard to fix on delivery day. Book a $500 site assessment, and Zen will check access, the pad and hookups before your home is built.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide can a tiny home be on California roads?
Under California Vehicle Code 35100, a vehicle and its load can be up to 102 inches (8 feet 6 inches) wide. Wider loads need a transportation permit.
How tall can a tiny home be for travel?
Under Vehicle Code 35250, a vehicle and load can't be taller than 14 feet. Loads over 13 feet 6 inches can only use roads deemed safe by the operator.
What do I need to do before delivery?
Clear and measure the path, prepare a level pad or foundation, and plan your utility hookups. Zen's $500 site assessment checks these for your lot.
Floor Plan Preview
Here's a look at two of the designs Zen Tiny Homes can build. Every plan can be adjusted to fit your lot.
Beach House: 3D exterior
Beach House: floor plan
See all the layouts in California Tiny Home Floor Plans.
Ready to Plan Your Delivery?
Every lot is different. Our $500 site assessment checks access, the pad and hookups.
Prefer to talk? Call Zen Tiny Homes at 760-492-0742 or visit zentinyhomes.com.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by property. Zen's $500 site assessment checks what fits your lot, or call 760-492-0742.
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