Ontario

Ontario

California's

Tiny Home

Rules and Regulations

California has a number of resources available for those interested in living in a tiny home. However, the rules and regulations for tiny homes vary from community to community. 

There are many tiny home communities in California. Many RV parks and campgrounds also allow tiny homes on their property. However, it is important to do your research before choosing a location for your tiny home.

Tiny Homes will provide a developing potential on more affordable backyard dwelling solutions!

FAQ

Generally speaking, YES.

A detailed answer is:

In California, it’s possible to reside in a tiny home legally, but there are specific rules to comply with. To lawfully reside in a tiny home in California, there are two primary approaches: acquiring a special use permit or connecting your tiny home to an RV park.

Typically, special use permits can be obtained through the planning department of your city or county. The process for obtaining a special use permit can vary based on your location, but it usually entails submitting an application and participating in a public hearing.

If your special use permit is granted, you’ll likely be required to adhere to specific restrictions, such as maintaining a minimum lot size or positioning your tiny home a certain distance from the property line.

A Tiny House is a transportable dwelling unit that provides living facilities for one or more persons, independent of the primary dwelling unit. These structures are manufactured to comply with the applicable standards for recreational vehicles and must be licensed and registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

MTHs cannot be larger than the size permitted by California state law for movement on public highways and must not exceed one (1) story in height. They also cannot move under their own power.

They must not have a separate address from the primary dwelling unit and only one companion unit or movable tiny house, and one junior unit, are permitted on a premise. Guest quarters and non-habitable structures are allowed in addition to the companion unit or movable tiny house and junior unit.

Tiny houses are gaining popularity in California as people seek to downsize. However, not all counties are equally accepting of them. Here are the rules for tiny houses in some California counties:

  • Los Angeles: Allow as ADUs
  • Fresno County: Allow as ADUs
  • Santa Cruz: THOWs are allowed in all zoning districts if they meet the California Building Code.
  • California City: Allowed as ADUs
  • Santa Barbara County: THOWs are allowed in all zoning districts if they comply with the California Building Code.
  • San Diego: Allowed as ADUs, and THOWs are permitted in all zoning districts if they comply with the California Building Code.

You can live permanently in a tiny house in California. Many people are doing it, and there are even tiny house communities in the state.

To make the switch, you must ensure that your tiny house complies with California building codes and find a place to park it. While tiny houses are cheaper than traditional homes, they come with additional expenses such as utilities and insurance.

Despite this, many people find that the savings on mortgage or rent more than offset these costs. Research and prepare for the challenges of living in a tiny house before making the switch.

Zoning regulations for tiny houses vary by location in California. A minimum of 100 square feet of interior space is generally sufficient, but some areas have minimum dwelling unit size restrictions. Your tiny house must meet building code requirements to be allowed.

Meeting all the relevant regulations is a must. Do some research before you take the leap. Or, consult with us!

  • In your backyard
  • On vacant land
  • In an RV park
  • In a Tiny House community

Again, do some research or ask us, before you take action, just to avoid any trouble you might not see coming down the road.

Tiny homeowners in California may need to pay property tax, which varies based on their situation and location. Property taxes are owed if the homeowner owns the land where the tiny house is parked. If renting or parking on someone else’s land, property taxes may not apply.

However, personal property taxes on the tiny house as an RV or trailer may still need to be paid depending on the location. It’s best to consult a tax professional to determine tax obligations.

In California, tiny houses on wheels are required to be registered and titled as RVs with the DMV and meet all California Vehicle Code requirements.

Additionally, they must have a permit from the local jurisdiction to be parked on public property. Transitional structures, such as sheds, cannot be used as permanent residences and can only be used for up to 180 days in a year.

These structures must meet building codes and fire safety standards and cannot be the primary residence on a property. Those planning to live in a transitional structure on their property must obtain permits and have the dwelling inspected by the local building department to ensure it meets safety standards. Failure to obtain the proper permits and inspections may result in fines and penalties.

Tiny House Cities (Updating):

Angeles National Forest

Antelope Valley

Arcadia

Artesia

Azusa

Baldwin Park

Bell

Bell Gardens

Bellflower

Beverly Hills

Bradbury

Burbank

Calabasas

Carson

Catalina Island

Cerritos

Claremont

Commerce

Compton

Covina

Cudahy

Culver City

Diamond Bar

Downey

Duarte

El Monte

El Segundo

Gardena

Glendale

Glendora

Hawaiian Gardens

Hawthorne

Hermosa Beach

Hidden Hills

Huntington Park

Industry

Inglewood

Irwindale

La Cañada Flintridge

La Habra Heights

La Mirada

La Puente

La Verne

Lakewood

Lawndale

Lomita

Long Beach

Los Angeles

Lynwood

Malibu

Manhattan Beach

Maywood

Monrovia

Montebello

Monterey Park

Norwalk

Palos Verdes Peninsula

Paramount

Pasadena

Pico Rivera

Pomona

Redondo Beach

Rosemead

San Dimas

San Fernando

San Gabriel

San Marino

Santa Clarita

Santa Fe Springs

Santa Monica

Sierra Madre

Signal Hill

South El Monte

South Gate

South Pasadena

Temple City

Torrance

Vernon

Walnut

West Covina

West Hollywood

Westlake Village

Whittier

Anaheim

Brea

Buena Park

Costa Mesa

Cypress

Dana Point

Fountain Valley

Fullerton

Garden Grove

Huntington Beach

Irvine

La Habra

Laguna Beach

Laguna Hills

Laguna Niguel

Laguna Woods

Lake Forest

Los Alamitos

Mission Viejo

Newport Beach

Orange

Placentia

San Clemente

San Juan Capistrano

Santa Ana

Seal Beach

Stanton

Tustin

Villa Park

Westminster

Yorba Linda

Banning

Beaumont

Blythe

Calimesa

Canyon Lake

Cathedral City

Coachella

Corona

Desert Hot Springs

Hemet

Indian Wells

Indio

Lake Elsinore

La Quinta

Moreno Valley

Murrieta

Norco

Palm Desert

Palm Springs

Perris

Rancho Mirage

Riverside

San Jacinto

Temecula

Adelanto

Apple Valley

Barstow

Big Bear Lake

Chino

Colton

Fontana

Grand Terrace

Hesperia

Highland

Joshua Tree

Lake Arrowhead

Loma Linda

Lucerne Valley

Montclair

Needles

Ontario

Rancho Cucamonga

Redlands

Rialto

San Bernardino

Twentynine Palms

Upland

Victorville

Wrightwood

Yucaipa

Yucca Valley

agoura hills

Agoura Hills is a picturesque city in Southern California, known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. Recently, the city has been making efforts to encourage the construction of ADUs, as a way to help address the housing crisis in the region. An ADU is a small, independent living unit on a single-family residential property that can be used as a rental unit, a place for aging parents or adult children to live, or as a home office. The city has established a program that streamlines the permitting process for building ADUs and also provides financial incentives for homeowners who build them. This program is designed to increase the availability of affordable housing in the city, and it’s encouraging more and more property owners to consider building ADUs on their properties. With a building size range between 250 to 350 square feet, it can provide an additional living space for the family member or to be rented out for extra income. Agoura Hills is a great place to live and build an ADU, and it’s a smart choice for anyone looking for a way to make the most of their property and help address the housing crisis in the region.

Get New Construction, ADU, New Room Addition, Home Remodeling, Interior Design, Architecture Design, Single Family ADU, Multi Family ADU, Junior ADU & Garage Conversions in this city.

  • ADU Maximum Size: 1000
  • JADU Maxium Size: 500
  • Attached ADU: 150 Feet addition or max 50% Primary Dwelling Size
  • Set Back: 4 Feet Front & Side
  • Height: 18 Feet Detached 25 Feet Attached
  • Parking: No Parking Requirement or one space max
  • Public: 1/2 Mile from Public Transportation

alhambra

Alhambra, a city located in the San Gabriel Valley region of California, is known for its diverse population and rich cultural heritage. The city has recently begun to promote the construction of ADUs as a way to help address the housing crisis in the area. An ADU, also known as a secondary unit, is a self-contained living space built on a single-family residential property that can be used as a rental unit, a place for aging parents or adult children to live, or as a home office. The city has made the process to obtain a permit for an ADU construction and Financial incentives for homeowners who build an ADU have been made more accessible. with a square footage between 800-1200 square feet it can provide extra room for the property owner or to be rented out for extra income. Building an ADU in Alhambra is a smart choice for property owners looking to make the most of their property and help address the housing crisis in the region.

Get New Construction, ADU, New Room Addition, Home Remodeling, Interior Design, Architecture Design, Single Family ADU, Multi Family ADU, Junior ADU & Garage Conversions in this city.

  • ADU Maximum Size: 1200
  • JADU Maxium Size: 500
  • Attached ADU: 150 Feet addition or max 50% Primary Dwelling Size
  • Set Back: 4 Feet Front & Side
  • Height: 18 Feet Detached 25 Feet Attached
  • Parking: No Parking Requirement or one space max
  • Public: 1/2 Mile from Public Transportation