The tiny home movement has gained a lot of traction over the past few years. While some people love residing in big houses occupying acres of land, some prefer residing in highly affordable, compact, tiny homes. You can now connect with established builders like Custom Container Living, Kubed Living, American Tiny House, BOSS Tiny House, and others by joining TinyHouseMe. We are an online directory connecting trusted tiny home builders with potential buyers. But for all this, you need to ensure which are the best US states to reside in tiny houses.
It must be pointed out here that only some US states embrace the minimalist lifestyle, with some imposing stringent guidelines concerning land use, unit size, and even door dimensions. The definition of a tiny house varies from one state to another. So, it becomes extremely important to understand the regulations governing tiny houses before renting or purchasing one.
Want to know which US states would be the best fit for tiny house living? This is exactly what we will be shedding light on here.
The Best US States for Tiny Houses
California: If you want to move or build a tiny house in California,you should first perform location-specific research. Here you should note that the conditions that govern owning tiny homes in one jurisdiction vary greatly with another. What is considered legal in one city can be illegal in another.
Florida: Florida has become a haven for tiny house enthusiasts. Just like in California, here, too, the housing rules differ from one county to another. So, we suggest going through the zoning ordinances particular to your local jurisdiction.
Orange, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg counties always welcome tiny homes. Although these three counties have individual necessities, the directives wouldn’t be hard to adhere to.
Arizona: Houses less than 400 square feet are considered tiny in Arizona. You should carefully go through the numerous building codes that are in place. For example, tiny homes on wheels shouldn’t be smaller than 160 square feet, while those on foundations should be larger than 400 square feet.
Colorado: Colorado has limited tiny house-on-wheels opportunities. But still, the state is no less than a haven for people who want to embrace the minimalist lifestyle. With the help of local advocates, community developers have forced the local authorities to zero in on their land-use regulations.
Georgia: Georgia is one of the most sought-after states for embracing the minimalist lifestyle.Atlanta is crowned as the most tiny-house-friendly state in Georgia. Many tiny house communities in this city promote downsized and simplistic living.
Indiana: Indiana permits its counties to set individual building and property codes. Consequently, get ready to witness varying tiny house ordinances in different counties, towns, and cities.
Idaho: Idaho has certainly transformed into a professional tiny living state. The state has progressed greatly regarding tiny house regulations over the last few decades. However, the rules that govern the properties are still decided by local governments.
Nebraska: Nebraska is another good tiny-house-friendly state. This state has already defined the types of tiny houses permitted, making it a breeze for tiny home enthusiasts to draw the line between legal and illegal tiny homes.
Maine: Maine is another good state for tiny living. Any structure below 400 square feet and perfectly designed for living is defined as a tiny house in this state. You will be astonished to know that Maine is the only state that allows sleeping lofts accessible with the help of ladders.
New Mexico: The concept of tiny house living has taken New Mexico by storm over the past few years. The state in 2015, released the New Mexico Residential Building Code to acknowledge tiny houses.
Oregon: Oregon is ranked as the most progressive state regarding tiny house regulations. Portland, Eugene, Monroe, and Lakeview are some popular cities most welcoming to tiny house owners.
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania might not be the most preferred state for tiny houses. However, this state is known for having some of the greatest tiny living communities. Elizabethtown is thought to be the largest tiny home community in the country.
Texas: This state is home to Spur, the first tiny-house-friendly town in the country. Owning a tiny Texas house primarily depends on whether the house is on wheels or a permanent foundation.
Kansas: Kansas warmly greets tiny houses, especially those on a foundation. It must be pointed out here that tiny houses on wheels are not allowed.The government of that particular county mostly supervises the Kansas construction regulations. However, there are common laws all over the state.
Kentucky:Most of Kentucky’s tiny homeowners prefer residing in Louisville, primarily because of its massive size.Although tiny houses are permitted in the cosmopolitan area, you must be extra cautious as individual restrictions are in place.
For instance, site-built or permanent tiny homes are permitted only if set up on foundations. You must also get your construction request rubber-stamped by the concerned authorities.
Final Take:
Tiny house living is no longer a trend and has become a lifestyle. This is because reducing living costs helps one lead life to one’s heart’s desire.
However, procuring a tiny home is more challenging than it seems. So, it is essential to adhere to the various regulations that are in place in different states.
Before building or purchasing a tiny house, it is highly advisable to clearly understand the codes and zoning ordinances governing tiny houses in your preferred state.
The definition of tiny homes changes with states. Therefore, when looking for a top-notch state to install your tiny house, check whether tiny houses on wheels are permitted or whether the rules and regulations prefer other tiny house types, like ADUs. Whether you are looking for ADUs, tiny houses on wheels, or other tiny structures of a similar kind, TinyHouseMe is the one-stop solution for all your tiny house requirements. Here, you will find numerous exquisite tiny home models showcased by multiple certified tiny house builders like Custom Container Living, Forever Tiny Homes, Alternative Living Spaces, and others located all over the US and Canada. Connect with the builders via us to get priority service and quick responses from the builders. Ask for a quote now.
