Americans are now deciding to switch to tiny homes rather than staying in traditional places. The tiny home movement has attracted people from every walk of life with its downsizing ideology. Tiny homes are less than 400 square feet, and now you can live in a tiny house in the most simplified way. The simplification process of tiny living is great, but constructing a tiny home is not simple. To build a tiny home, your builder must follow certain building codes and regulations. If building codes are not followed, finding a space to place your prebuilt tiny homes can be demanding. However, there is little to worry about as some states in the US have relaxed state regulations and are welcoming tiny homes with open arms. At TinyHouseMe, we not only showcase high-end prebuilt tiny homes for sale, but we will also help you connect with a trusted builder. Going via TinyHouseMe will save you time as we speed up connecting with the right builder. Our platform has more than a hundred tiny home builders, and by becoming a member, you can receive multiple quotes to help you make the most competitive choice. But before all that, let’s check out the 5 states that welcome tiny homes and have relaxed zoning regulations.
California
In the Golden State, finding a place to park or build your tiny home is easy. In 2020, California executed statewide ADU laws requiring cities and counties to generate plans to incentivize ADU development. In addition, the California Department of Housing & Community Development has laid down the guidelines for tiny homes on foundations that must follow California Building Standards Code and the International Residential Code, or else needs to be pre-approved by alternative projects. So, for example, if the tiny home on wheels gets classified as an RV or a parked trailer, it must comply with a different set of guidelines.
Texas
Everything is big in Texas, except for the burgeoning tiny home movement. ‘Texas’ is tiny home friendly as many counties don’t impose zoning regulations outside the limit of the city. The rural county-incorporated zones have free rein to build tiny homes, but you might still have to construct the home as per subdivision rules, transportation standards, local building codes, water supply regulations, and safety standards. And this means you might need a permit for the tiny homes in Texas. A real estate expert or a lawyer experienced in local zoning protocols can help you to build a tiny home in Texas.
Florida
Regarding tiny houses, Florida is quite progressive, as Rockledge, Florida city has legalized both tiny homes on a foundation and those on wheels. Moreover, as per Florida Housing Coalition, around 11 cities in Florida, together with Tampa, Orlando, and Tallahassee, do allow ADU units in single-family districts, although restrictions vary based on lot size, dwelling size, and more. In addition, many counties in Florida have relaxed protocols for tiny house builds. Some cities and counties don’t have minimum sq. footage requirements, making planning the tiny home easier. However, there are still certain local zoning ordinances that you must comply with to meet the safety standards.
Colorado
This is the hot spot for tiny home living as they have flexible zoning laws, and permits are easily obtainable. Colorado is the home of many tiny home festivals like the People’s Tiny House Festival and the Colorado Tiny House Festival. It’s an idyllic setting for leading a tiny lifestyle. However, this state has strict regulations for a tiny home on wheels compared to others on the list. Counties like Centennial State don’t allow permanent residential usage for tiny homes on wheels. However, the good news is that El Paso County has passed the state’s 1st zoning ordinance for (THOW) tiny homes on wheels, which means things are looking brighter for tiny houses. When you plan to build a tiny home on land in Colorado, make sure your builder builds the home by abiding by the building regulations and local zoning ordinances that meet the safety standards of Colorado.
North Carolina
North Carolina, particularly Asheville, is now opening up to tiny homes. Some North Carolina cities have strict protocols, but these places are less restrictive when they are away from the cities. However, when you build a tiny home in North Carolina, the builder must stand by the laws and rules laid down by North Carolina State Building Residential Code. For building ADU units, North Carolina depends on local protocols and regulations. However, ADU units are allowed in Asheville, but Raleigh has recently adjusted ADU requirements to allow more zoning districts.
Final Words
More and more states in the USA are becoming tiny home-friendly and loosening the building and zoning rules for accommodating alternative housing types, especially in places where affordable homes are limited. If you are interested in tiny homes, we recommend you get prebuilt tiny homes for sale from certified and established builders only. A builder can guide you throughout the entire process of building and setting up a tiny home. However, connecting with a trusted builder is a real challenge. At TinyHouseMe, we simplify things by connecting you with multiple tiny home builders under one platform. Connect with our experts today to join our platform and set up an appointment with a trusted builder.
