Experience the freedom and simplicity of the tiny home lifestyle as we delve into the US states that allow tiny homes. Step inside the world of tiny living as we uncover the US states where the tiny home movement has taken hold. From the striking landscapes of Oregon to the vibrant cities of Colorado, these states offer a range of opportunities to experience the charm and efficiency of tiny living. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the US states that allow tiny homes and have fully embraced the tiny home movement and those that are yet to.
If you have decided to go tiny, one of the most difficult parts of owning a tiny home is deciding on the location. According to the Tiny House Society, the laws that pertain to tiny houses vary from state to state and also county by county. In some places, the sustainability aspect of tiny homes makes them viewed as a desirable addition to the community. Other places might consider them at best, a trend and at worst a nuisance.
Zoning Regulations
Depending on the type of tiny home you’re looking for and what state you intend to build in, the laws vary greatly. Certain states are friendlier toward the idea of tiny houses and tiny house communities, so it’s a good idea to figure out the laws specific to your location. Two important factors to consider are your location building codes and zoning regulations. Building codes dictate how your tiny house is built in terms of minimum ceiling height, windows, plumbing, and stairs among others. Zoning Regulations in the area where you’re thinking of building need to be looked at. This is because you can’t park or build your tiny house just anywhere.
Bear in mind that while there are laws and local zoning regulations in place, you can still apply through your local planning commission to build outside of the existing codes. It all comes down to how tiny house-friendly the area where you want to build is.
That being said, it doesn’t appear as though tiny houses are explicitly prohibited in any State in the United States. But, according to Tiny House Society, only a handful of states are considered tiny house friendly. These states tend to be those of a more eco-friendly persuasion or those where zoning laws and permits might be a bit more flexible in terms of building homes of this size.
States that allow tiny homes
States that allow tiny homes are as follows:
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington
States against tiny homes
Tiny House Society indicates that the states least likely to be open to the idea of tiny homes are:
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Illinois
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
New Jersey
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Of all those listed, results of a survey by ipx1031 on states that are most popular with tiny homes show the most interest in rural states such as Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Washington. Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York showed the least interest in searches for tiny homes.
Conclusion
Again, none of these states seem to openly prohibit tiny homes from being built, but they certainly discourage them in certain ways. For instance, certain states require tiny homes to have emergency exits or meet minimum ceiling heights. Zoning regulations also exist that might make it difficult to build a tiny house, even if you legally own the land you want to put it on.
Nevertheless, tiny homes are such an innovative concept that many states haven’t narrowed down the specifics regarding their building, upkeep, sizing, required amenities, and beyond. Yet even if your municipality has no laws about building your tiny home, there may be some catches regarding you living there full time. For instance, even though tiny homes aren’t prohibited in Washington State, certain counties might impose legal building restrictions on houses that are considered full-time dwellings. According to Tiny Home Society, King County has previously stated that tiny homes must be legally built on concrete foundations while Seattle allows tiny houses registered as ADUs, but does not allow tiny houses on wheels.
If you are planning on building a tiny house the best thing to do is contact your local municipality and ask what rules, regulations, permits, or laws you might need to follow to build and live in your new house.
