Tiny houses sport many exquisite features and are a boon for people who wish to save money rather than stay in a traditional house with exorbitant living costs. However, there is a lot of a conundrum about where tiny houses are permitted and how to use them. As a matter of fact, tiny houses are considered legal in all 50 U.S. states. Each state has different laws governing how and where tiny houses can be used and how they are treated. Here, we will be discussing the various nitty-gritties of owning a tiny house so that you don’t find yourself in trouble with the laws of the land. TinyHouseMe can further assist you with connecting with multiple builders offering affordable tiny homes for sale to simplify the search.
What Are the Different Tiny House Zoning Laws?
Every home built in a village, town, or city in the United States must strictly adhere to zoning laws. These laws dictate what adequate housing means and the maximum permissible occupancy of a tiny home, depending on its size.
Zoning laws apply to each and every building there is in the US. However, some laws regarding tiny house construction seem more crucial than others. Here, we will be discussing the most critical ones, which you need to watch out for:
- Utility: First, you should choose a residential district for your tiny house. Here, you should note that if you want to use your tiny house as a primary residence, that can significantly impact the minimums of your home’s construction. The zoning laws will not be that strict if you intend to use it as a secondary home on a primary property.
- Minimum Square Footage: Tiny home living is barred in some cities by elevating the minimum square footage well above the actual definition of a tiny house. You will be flabbergasted to know that in Burleigh County, which is in North Dakota, the minimum size of a tiny house should be more than 900 square feet.
- Ceiling height: When it comes to ceiling heights, tiny houses just live up to their names. Some tiny houses stand as high as six feet. However, the International Housing Law 2012 cites that the minimum ceiling height of a tiny house should be seven feet.
- Conversion to a mobile house: If you plan to convert your tiny house on wheels into a permanent structure, make sure it’s legal in your jurisdiction.
- Fire safety: The different counties and states in the US have individual fire safety regulations that can significantly impact the legality of a tiny house. For instance, New York necessitates two exits for every room in a house. So, this is one of the most sought-after requirements when it comes to tiny house planning.
What Can Be the Consequences of Ignoring Zoning Laws?
Laws are not mere suggestions but are set up for certain reasons. Be ready to face penalties and fines if the tiny house you build flies in the face of local zoning laws. In many cases, the city also reserves the right to sue you and condemn your tiny house. You might also be ordered to demolish the building altogether.
What will happen if there is a change in the zoning laws of your area?
One of the biggest concerns about tiny house living is the fact that this concept is still in its roots in most parts of the country. Most jurisdictions have no specific definition of a tiny house, thereby rendering the tiny homes surrounded by a legal gray area.
What if the new laws don’t bode well with tiny homes? Well, it would entirely depend on the municipality. However, here is good news for you. Many locations allow tiny houses to be ‘grandfathered in’ (where old rules continue to apply) and thus will be considered legal to live in. However, the risk of condemning your own home still lies.
States that allow Tiny Houses
There are many tiny home-friendly states in the US, like California, Florida, and Texas. Here you can legally buy affordable tiny homes for sale and live peacefully without any trouble. However, New York can be the least friendly when it comes to living in a tiny house. The state has outlawed living in a tiny home, but you can still reside in such a structure in times of emergency or only as a temporary residential place. The laws are sketchy and unclear even if you have a mobile home and RV. Still, we suggest purchasing a tiny home on a trailer when it comes to living in a tiny house in New York, as the structure would be legal and mobile.
Final Take:
Tiny house laws can turn out to be incredibly nitpicky, thereby pulling the rug out from underneath your feet as a tiny house owner. Well, the best thing you can do here is conduct extensive research and find out a tiny house community that has already been legally greenlit.
After all, it’s always better to look before you leap and move into a quirky home. TinyHouseMe is an online directory where you will find a wide array of exquisite tiny home models showcased. You can also connect directly with multiple trusted tiny home builders all across the US and Canada. Reach out to the builders via us for quicker response and priority service. Sign up now, and we will help you book an appointment with your favorite tiny home builder. Now get a faster response and priority service from the builder.
