The Perfect Spot: Where to Legally Put Your Tiny Home

Tiny homes are making a big splash in the industry. These days, smaller is better! More and more people are choosing to live simpler lives by giving up their full properties and going for smaller houses. The tiny home movement is sweeping across the United States. What’s great about a tiny farmhouse on wheels is that they’re mobile so you can literally bring them anywhere with you. Drive around the Texas countryside, or head on over to the Grand Canyon for a month-long vacation, or even go down to Florida for some beach and sunbathing, you can simply drive your tiny farmhouse on wheels and you’re there!

Depending on where you’re headed, there are obviously rules and restrictions to follow before you can park or indefinitely put down your tiny home. So before you jump into the tiny home movement lifestyle, here are some things to remember about legally parking your tiny home.

Square footage. The International Code Council defines tiny homes to be less than 400ft to be considered “tiny”. Some local cities and municipalities relate square footage and enforce the minimum dimensions though. It’s important to note the minimum requirements for mobile vs permanent tiny homes. 

Building inspection. Tiny homes built on foundations are subject to local building codes and inspections, which is why it’s also a smart decision to choose a tiny farmhouse on wheels because it has the terrific feature of portability and mobility. Be sure to work with our team at Generations Tiny Homes and choose the best tiny home model that fits your needs and your lifestyle aspirations. 

Local zoning considerations. In any locality, there are zoning laws that mandate and dictate what kind of physical structures can be constructed or erected in a specific location. Sometimes, the term “tiny house” can be misinterpreted because the typical “house” has a foundation meaning it stays in only one location. A tiny farmhouse on wheels, for example, doesn’t because they are technically travel trailers. In this instance, we recommend contacting the local zoning officer in your area or the area where you want to live.

Availability of utilities. It’s important to understand that water and electricity are the usual commodities you would want in your tiny farmhouse on wheels, however these are a little hard to come by when you’re on the road. Solar panels are a good option and addition for your tiny home, of course, but so are water tanks and portable septic tanks. You have to check in advance where you can dump your septic waste, where you can refill your tanks, and where you can avail of other utility services like gas for your stovetop, truck maintenance repairs, and others. 

Tiny home friendly. There are more States today that are amending their laws and regulations to accommodate the trend of tiny homes. Many people are calling America a tiny home nation and we’re just getting swept in the tide. In fact, North Carolina has been named by Architect Magazine as one of the top 5 states for tiny houses, along with California, Texas, Florida, and Oregon. 

RV and national parks or camping grounds. There are definitely state parks and camping parks available in most areas and they are great options because you’ll find other tiny home owners just like yourself. You’ll have neighbors, stability, and of course a great community to be a part of. 

Come and check out your options for tiny homes like a tiny farmhouse on wheels and request for a consultation with our team at Generations Tiny Homes. We’d be happy to give you an idea and plan out the perfect tiny home that will make your dreams of living tiny come true!