Tag: build your own tiny house

If you have plans to build your own tiny house on a trailer, then you need to build a structure that adheres to the building codes. You also need to take into account the zoning regulations while you are traveling in a tiny home. While building codes are a great guide to build your own tiny home, the zoning ordinances should not be ignored when you have a house on wheels. At TInyHouseMe, we can provide helpful information about the building and zoning codes. We also help you connect with established tiny home builders who can help you build your own tiny home for road trips and other adventures.

Building codes and zoning ordinances – What’s more important for road trips?

Both building codes and zoning regulations dictate the construction of a tiny home. Building codes tell you how to build your own tiny house,while zoning laws are more about where you can build the tiny home. Most state building codes are adopted from IRC (International Residential Code) for one- or two-family dwellings with size specifications for rooms (except kitchens and bathrooms). 

Zoning laws are based on local factors, and the size requirements of the house are determined by its location (zone). Therefore, you need to connect with the local zoning and planning department to know the local zoning ordinances. As per the Tiny House Community, many counties and cities have a minimum size requirement of 1,000 square feet or more.

Tiny houses on wheels are considered RVs

With no universal definition of a tiny home, in the eyes of the local government, tiny houses on wheels are considered as RVs. However, RVs are very restrictive, and they can only be parked in certain locations like campgrounds, and RV parks, making it impossible for someone to live in it full-time or park it in the backyard or on a private piece of land.

Again, RVs are not considered for full-time living, and many local municipalities limit the number of days you can live in a tiny home. Some RV parks allow you to park the tiny home for not more than 90 days or 6 months. These are some issues that need to be dealt with.

However, tiny movable homes are much different from recreational vehicles or RVs, and municipalities need to understand this. The only way you can achieve this is to connect with the local ordinance and know how they define the tiny home on wheels and distinguish them from a typical RV.

States with flexible zoning regulations and building codes that make road trips less of a hassle

Even if the IRC and zoning regulations are in place, you can apply for a variance through the local planning commission to build your own tiny home outside the existing codes. Here is a list of states with flexible building codes and zoning regulations that make road trips enjoyable and less hassle.

California

Route 1 and Big Sur cannot be missed when you are on a road trip. The state has one of the most scenic bypasses and plenty of places to explore. The good news is that California is also one of the best places for any tiny home enthusiast. Many places in California permit a tiny home on wheels, but you must register the structure with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for use on public roadways. The tiny home on wheels also needs to meet with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 119.2 or 119.5 safety regulations.

North Caroline

One of the most beautiful and iconic road trips in the US is along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It runs over 400 miles through Virginia and North Carolina. Hiking at Chimney Rock and Blowing Rock should not be missed, while Asheville should be on your list for great food. In North Carolina, tiny homes on wheels are considered RVs, and the longest time you can live in the RV is 180 days. Zoning regulations vary from one county to another, and you need to find RV parks for parking or travel to find different campgrounds with short-term space rentals.

Texas

There is a lot of road to cover when you are in Texas, starting from Marfa to Big Bend National Park. Moreover, Texas is tiny home-friendly, and traveling with a tiny home on wheels isn’t much of a hassle. However, you just cannot park the house on wheels anywhere in Texas. There are specific places for parking the RVs. Tiny homes on wheels are considered RV units in Texas, and parking can be challenging. However, many tiny home communities do allow the parking of RVs. Here is the list:

• Village Farm Tiny Home Community in Austin, TX
• Indigo River Tiny Homes in Dallas, TX
• Royce City RV Park and Tiny Home Community

Colorado

If you are planning a road trip to colorful Colorado, then there is plenty of things you can’t miss. The list can go on from Rocky Mountain Park to Breckenridge, Great Sand Dunes, and Colorado Springs. Moreover, the good news is that Colorado has no specific rules on tiny homes. Most tiny homes are classified as RVs in Colorado, and you cannot park the mobile home in one place for more than two weeks. You should also get RVIA certification and conform to the American National Safety Institute standards. However, many RV parks in Colorado are not allowing tiny homes, so it’s better to research than get started on the journey.

Final words

Zoning regulations at the local level are susceptible to change, and the tiny home movement is now on the national level too. The advocates of the tiny home movement are pushing the IRC to include tiny homes a primary residence for people in the US. However, connecting with a trusted builder is essential if you plan to build your own tiny home for the road trip. At TinyHouseMe, we help you connect with multiple tiny home builders who can help you build your own tiny house within a budget. Sign up now to book an appointment with a local builder. We ensure you get a faster response from the builder and help in planning and financing the tiny home project.

Tiny homes are immensely popular in the USA and are garnering interest all over the world. Instagram and Pinterest are flooded with beautiful tiny home designs, and tiny home dwellers are coming up with innovative ideas about living comfortably in a tiny home. At this time, binge-watching YouTube channels to build your own tiny house can give you a good idea of what it’s about. We have listed 5 YouTube channels that are worth your time and interesting to watch. TinyHouseMe is the one-stop destination, if you are looking for trusted builders to build your own tiny house. We connect you with 100s of tiny home builders across the US and Canada and provide you with valuable information about tiny houses. In addition, you can find helpful resources for planning and financing your tiny home project. However, now, let’s check out how people live tiny, debt-free, and comfortably. These 5 YouTube channels will bring out the real picture and the truth about tiny homes and sustainable living.

The Top 5 Tiny House YouTube Channels 

• Tiny Home Tours: 

This is one of the most entertaining YouTube channels that is a must-watch. Standing true to its name, the channel is completely dedicated to showing some of the most wonderful tiny home models. The channel has more than a million subscribers, and the videos are of professional quality, coming out every week, which keeps you hooked with great content. 

You will find numerous bus and van tours in this channel, as well as static tiny homes. If you are unsure whether you want to build your own tiny house on wheels or get one on a foundation, this channel can help. The channel has around 1k videos and over 1.27M subscribers. The creators chose to stay behind the scenes and allow tiny houses and builders to take center stage, which we love. 

• Tiny House YouTube Channel – Wild Wonderful Off-Grid:

Next up on this list is Wild Wonderful Off-Grid. The channel shows us how a family of 5 builds a tiny home. The tiny house is in the form of an A-frame cabin and they place it in the heart of their woodland property. The channel has over 1.05M subscribers and 369 videos.

If you are looking to take the leap into off-grid living, this channel will motivate you. You can check out how they build their tiny house and also take notes on how to raise the livestock, take care of the farm and live off the land with three kids in tow. The family teaches that nothing is impossible through their videos, provided you are prepared for hard work. 

• Living Off Grid W/ Jake and Nicole

This channel is worth a watch as the couple, Jake and Nicole feature vlog-style videos on their channel. You get to see how the couple builds a yurt and starts living off the grid in the forest. Their journey is entertaining and adventurous, and one will love their lifestyle. The couple shows all things you need to build a yurt and also how they follow a vegan, homegrown diet while living off the grid. If you are looking for an honest account of tiny living and want to get inspired by tiny home living, then this channel deserves your time. The channel has 1.92 million subscribers and around 315 videos worth watching.

•    Exploring Alternative: 

On this channel, people tell amazing stories about their alternative lifestyles. Each video brings a distinctive perspective on residing differently, from long-term travelers to tiny house dwellers. 

The one thing about Exploring Alternative that will make you fall in love with this channel is that this channel is not just about exquisite homes and dreamy lifestyles, but it also focuses on the hard work and dedication that is paramount for leading an alternative lifestyle. In all their videos, you will find the talented Canadian couple, Danielle and Mat, advocating that it’s possible to lead a meaningful and sustainable life in a tiny home. The channel has 2.26M subscribers and around 325 videos, covering all topics related to living tiny.

•    Cabinland: 

Next up on our list is another popular YouTube channel, Cabinland. Jacob Witzling and Sara Underwood are constructing mind-boggling cabins in the middle of the USA’s rainforests. If you want to build your own tiny home in the shape of a cabin, then Cabinland is a must-watch for you. Jacob will walk through a step-by-step process in his cabin tutorials.

There are “How to” series, where you will find videos on how to moss a roof and how to design a patterned floor. Not just that, you will also find “Cabinland: The Series” on Sara and Jacob’s YouTube channel. This six-episode mini-series mainly follows Sara and Jacob as they hunt for different ideas on Cabinland and design their first marvelous cabin on their property. The cabin is unlike any other one, making Cabinland worth watching. This channel is a must-watch if you plan to design your cabin in the woods. The channel has around 445K subscribers and around 44 videos.

Final Take: 

So, here is a list of the top 5 tiny house YouTube channels that are a must-watch for anyone who wants to build their own tiny home. If you are inspired by watching these YouTube channels and want to build your own tiny house, you should connect with established tiny house builders near you. Now, you can do so via TinyHouseMe.We are an online directory consisting of a list of all trusted tiny home builders all across the USA and Canada. Contact with them via us and receive a quick response and faster service from the builders. 

Living in a tiny home has several advantages, but you must feel safe inside the tiny space, even during hurricanes and heavy storms. While ordinary builders focus on insulation and siding materials to protect your home from heat, rain, and snow, what about wind, storms, and hurricanes? Build your own tiny house with the help of a builder who is trusted and skilled enough to develop structures that meet International Building Codes. With so many builders in the market, choosing a certified, established, and trusted one is confusing. At TinyHouseMe, we help you connect with 100s of trusted tiny home builders across the US and Canada. You can now build your own tiny home by storm-proofing the structure and installing home security systems to prevent dangers while offering you peace of mind.

Are tiny houses safe during stormy weather conditions?

If your tiny home has proper weatherproofing, the structure is safe from lightning storms and thunder. Taking precautions during storms is important, as heavy rainfall can cause wood and electrical damage. You can protect electrical connections by keeping the tree branches away from the power lines or running them underground to protect them from external weather conditions. In addition, ask the builder to use siding and roofing materials that are not susceptible to moisture damage.

How do tiny houses survive extreme weather?

Extreme weather conditions can affect the safety of your conventional house, and a tiny home is no different. Heavy rainfall, high winds, floods, fires, and earthquakes are prevalent in certain places, so you should ask the builder for hurricane-proof tiny home designs. Investing in a tiny home on wheels is a great way to help you avoid weather extremities. With wheels, you can flee and relocate to a space that’s not vulnerable to hurricanes and natural disasters.

Here are a few ways you can weatherproof the tiny home:

Consider parking the tiny home on wheels at a better location

During a storm, park the tiny home in a direction where the winds won’t cause much damage to the structure. Park the house next to a stronger and bigger structure so the wind doesn’t hit your house directly. Use tarpaulin around the parking location to create windbreaks and reduce the pressure your tiny home receives.

Use better materials

If you live in a hurricane-prone zone, consider the environment and then build your own tiny house. The designing of your tiny home should be done by a professional architect or take the help of a trusted home builder willing to customize it as per your requirements. For example, source projectile-level windows and glass surfaces, as they are stronger than ordinary fixtures. Rather than choosing shingles for the roof and siding, install sheets of corrugated steel to stop individual parts from flying off. The materials you choose to incorporate inside your tiny house determine whether or not, the structure can withstand strong winds and hurricanes – therefore hire a trusted builder to build your own tiny home.

Seal all holes

Protecting the tiny home against strong winds is the only thing you should be thinking about during hurricanes and storms. Rain can easily penetrate and create unwanted moisture inside the house. Check the tiny home thoroughly and ensure all holes are sealed. You can also caulk holes with a sealant to keep water outside the house and prevent any seepage through its structure.

Install hurricane shutters

Did you know hurricane shutters can be installed as add-ons to protect doors, windows, and other glass surfaces from flying dirt and debris during storms and hurricanes? The shutters are available in many shapes and sizes and can be attached via a DIY installation. While some shutters are easy to install, others might need professional assistance.

Polycarbonate guards also protect tiny homes against wind damage which are affordable too. This kind of shutter is made from plastic and guards the entryways against flying debris.

Accordion shutters can be moved before a storm and can protect entire sections of the house as they are made with sturdier materials. The best part is that these shutters can be easily installed and removed as and when necessary.

Install hurricane ties

You should install hurricane ties to secure all frames and joints tightly. Hurricane ties work by joining rafters and trusses on the top wall of the tiny home and helps reinforce the structure against storms, strong winds, and even earthquakes. 

Consider anchoring the tiny house

Anchoring your tiny house is a great way to protect the structure from hurricanes and storms. By anchoring, you secure the tiny home to solid ground and prevent the structure from toppling. Different anchors are available depending on soil conditions, including concrete. For example, an auger anchor works best for hard soil, whereas if you live in a rocky area, rock anchors are better as they drive beneath and can prevent the tiny house from toppling over. However, for anchoring the tiny house, you need stable, level ground and then you should go and find the most appropriate anchor based on the soil type.

Can shipping containers withstand hurricanes?

Many tiny house models are available in the market, but only a few are hurricane-proof. Container homes are a great choice if you are looking for a structure resistant to stormy weather and hurricanes. Custom Container Living is one of the most trusted builders of container homes in the US. Their container houses are engineered to withstand weather elements and are a good bet to beat a hurricane.

However, connecting with established builders like Custom Container Living takes a lot of work. Waiting in the queue and getting a response after days is a pain. That’s why TinyHouseMe has made things simpler for you. We instantly connect you with multiple tiny home builders to make the search easier for you. We have 100s of tiny home builders in our platform and help you get matched with the right builder of your choice. So, sign up now and connect faster with your chosen builder.