You can park your tiny home in Recreational Vehicle (RV) parks, national parks, campgrounds, federal lands, private lands, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), or tiny house communities. 

Parking your tiny home can be a major problem because of the legal grey areas. The regulations to park in different settings vary from place to place.

This post covers everything that you need to know. We will tell you about the rules and regulations, resources that will help, and parking options for your tiny house. 

Rules and regulations to consider when looking for a parking spot

When looking for a parking spot, you should be aware of the zoning laws and building codes before parking. 

The rules and regulations are not universal or well-defined. Different parking options have different rules. Before choosing where to park your tiny home, get to know the laws that apply to that particular parking spot.  

Mobile Tiny Homes 

Most states require certifications to park your mobile temporary tiny home legally. Various municipalities, highly populated cities, or neighborhoods do not allow living on wheels permanently. 

For instance, in Ormond Beach, Florida, you are regulated to move your RV every 45 days.

Some states, like Oregon, have lifted such regulations on temporary tiny homeowners.

Generally, mobile temporary tiny homes have fewer restrictions, allowing greater flexibility and ease in living in one.

Certifications and Permits

Mobile tiny homes are subjected to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards put together by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). These standards ensure road safety when tiny homes are on the highways. 

If you are considering an RV park, national park, or campground as a parking spot, it is advised to have your tiny home certified by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). 

The certification will allow you to park your tiny home anywhere in the legal zones for parking RVs. However, these cannot be used for permanent stays.

Size of the Tiny Home

The International Code Council has limited the size of a tiny home to 400 square feet (excluding a loft). If it includes an attic, it should not exceed 600 square feet.

There is no restriction on the size of a temporary tiny house on an international level. Although some local municipalities still impose limitations in this regard.

Building Codes and Zoning Laws

Before moving into a tiny house, get acquainted with the laws you must abide by. 

Mobile Tiny Homes

Building codes and inspections do not apply to tiny homes on wheels. A tiny home that is RVIA certified may not even be classified as a ‘house.’ In most jurisdictions, these are classified as Recreational Vehicles (RV).

Zoning laws, i.e., rules for placing buildings in specific locations will still apply to your mobile tiny home. 

However, the rules and regulations vary among locations and are continually updated. It is important to talk to builders and experts in your local area to comply with the rules. 

Permanent Tiny Homes

Tiny homes with a loft parked permanently in the mobile home parks might be subjected to codes and laws.

For instance, in the state of Oregon, permanent residents of tiny homeowners have to comply with building codes such as:

• Tiny homes under 600 square feet are allowed to have one sleeping loft connected with a ladder.
• An automatic fire sprinkler system must be installed.
• All tiny homes are subjected to local building inspection programs to review, inspect, and issue permits. 
• Only state-licensed builders, plumbers, and electricians are allowed to work in a tiny home. 

Resources to help you locate parking spots for your tiny house

There are numerous resources, such as Google Maps, online classifieds and listings, tiny house communities, Facebook groups, and local authorities. These can help you find a suitable location to park your tiny house.

Google Maps

Google Maps is probably one of your most valuable resources for finding a parking spot. 

It can direct you to national parks, campgrounds, and RV parks, where you can legally park your tiny home. It also allows you to determine the best route and read reviews based on the experiences of other dwellers.

Online Classifieds and Listings

You can find temporary and permanent parking spots on online classified websites like Craigslist or Meetup. 

Homeowners and landowners usually post advertisements for renting out their spaces on Craigslist. You can acquire space for your tiny home based on local building codes. You can also find good deals for buying land online.

You can also find leads for parking spots by attending tiny home Meetups and other online gatherings. 

Tiny House Communities

Moving to tiny home-friendly locations where tiny homes are legalized can lead you towards a potential parking spot. 

These communities are built for tiny home owners. Therefore, most features and facilities are tiny home-oriented. These communities also have distinct spaces for buying, renting, or parking, so you will have the option to choose a spot of your liking.

Online communities, for example, The Tiny House Community, can be of significant help in finding a location for your tiny house. 

Facebook Groups

Social media can be very helpful in finding you a parking spot. You can join popular Facebook groups for tiny homeowners, such as Tiny House Hosting, Tiny House People, and Tiny House Marketplace, to name a few. 

You can also try searching for local tiny house groups to connect to the local tiny house community. 

Tiny House Map

Tiny House Map features an elaborate and interactive map that shows all the known parking spots for your tiny home. 

It also includes advertisements for land available for rent, tiny house builders, and other relevant information. 

Local Authorities

Local authorities such as building inspection groups, tiny home experts, and builders can also help you find a location for your tiny home. 

Checking with your zoning and building offices can find you the right spot to avoid the worry of parking in an illegal location. 

Tiny House Parking Options

There are plenty of options for you to choose from in terms of parking locations. You can look at the following options we have enlisted for you.

RV Parks

RV parks are convenient and cheap. These serve as an accessible option to park your tiny home, especially if your tiny house is RVIA certified.

It has several advantages over the other options:

• RV parks have all the necessities (electricity, water, internet, etc.) readily available.
• Many RV parks have various facilities that may not be accessible in tiny home lifestyles, for instance, swimming pools, gyms, or cafeterias, within the parking area. 
• RV parks will also accommodate you for longer stays. You can plan a monthly stay at a cheaper rate. 
• Those on prolonged stays are grouped, forming micro-communities within the RV groups. 
• Parking in RV parks allows you to have more mobility to travel far and wide across the country. 

Many RV parks are now accepting tiny homes into their spaces, but some may not. Therefore, it would be advisable to call ahead before making a decision. 

National Parks and Campgrounds

Similar to RV parks, RVIA-certified tiny homes will allow you to park in any national park and campground where it is legal to park. Choosing national parks and campgrounds can lead to endless possibilities. 

Parking in a national park will get you out of the hustle and bustle. If you crave a more secluded, peaceful environment, national parks are the best choice. 

Campgrounds are also a good choice. Campgrounds can have more amenities and fun activities that you can enjoy. 

Your stay will be limited to 14 or 30 days. 

You can also become a campground host, providing firewood, cleaning bathrooms, and looking out for the campground community. In return, you will be able to live for free for the duration of your stay. 

However, the time restrictions are strict enough to not make it a good choice for a long-term stay.

Tiny House Communities

This option is for you if you are looking for stability and a little more sense of community. These communities are the essence of the tiny house lifestyle. 

Tiny house communities are an excellent choice for living alongside like-minded people. These communities tend to lean more toward a specific lifestyle. For instance, some communities cater to minimalist living, while others have more outdoor activities. 

Communal facilities, such as pools, gyms, walking lanes, green spaces, etc., are also provided for everyone to enjoy.

The increasing interest in tiny house living has led to a drastic rise in tiny house communities across the country. 

Some of the well-known tiny house communities that allow tiny houses on wheels are:

Luxtiny, Arizona

Luxtiny offers parking spaces for tiny houses on wheels in off-grid locations. It also provides multiple amenities, for instance, greenhouses, solar panels, composting toilets, etc.

Located in the magnificent White Mountain, it is Arizona’s first tiny house community. 

Little River Escape, Georgia

Little River Escape is a tiny house and RV community. It is located in the middle of nature reserves with hiking, camping, and river access. 

It is situated at the border of Georgia and Alabama, on Lookout Mountain. 

Orlando Lakefront, Florida

Orlando Lakefront offers the best facilities a tiny house community can provide. These include water, electricity, internet, laundry facilities, a fishing dock, and walking tracks. 

Its proximity to central Orlando also makes it an attractive parking spot.

Lemon Cove Village, California

Lemon Cove Village is a beautiful tiny house and RV community. It provides parking spots on both a temporary and permanent basis. 

Lemon Cove Village is situated in the Sequoia National Park, California.

The Sanctuary Minnesota, Minnesota

The Sanctuary offers parking spots for monthly stays at an affordable price. 

It is surrounded by nature and the wintery chill of Minnesota. It is famous for its yoga retreats and other communal activities. 

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

An ADU is a secondary, independent building constructed on the same property as a primary, existing single-family home.

Where the local building codes and zoning laws are not violated, owners regularly rent out their spaces as ADUs for tiny houses. 

Generally, a tiny house on wheels parked as an ADU is allowed in most cities and not considered a violation. But tiny houses on foundations as ADUs are subjected to strict building codes and laws.

For instance, in Oregon, the authorities allow tiny houses to park on the property after receiving permission from the owners. Similarly, Fresno, California, has started allowing tiny houses as ADUs, considering them as ‘backyard cottages.’ 

Federal Lands

In the undeveloped regions of the Federal lands, you are allowed to park your tiny house free of charge. 

National Forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands commonly allow you to park your tiny house. This will enable you to explore wild and secluded areas. 

It is essential to contact BLM offices or ranger stations for recommendations rather than parking in an isolated and inaccessible region. 

Stays on Federal Lands are between 14- and 30- day limits. 

Rural Locations

If you are looking for more freedom and a self-sustaining lifestyle, rural locations are viable parking options. Many rural locations are more relaxed on building rules and regulations. 

Rural locations give you more control over your life. They also allow you to go completely off-grid while still in proximity to necessities.

Buying Land

If you are thinking of a more permanent setup, owning land is a good option. Rural locations can offer relatively cheaper rates to buy land as a parking spot for your tiny house.

It can be a challenge because you will still need to consider building codes and zoning laws. But it is possible to invest in buying land. 

Private Land

If you cannot buy land, renting it is the next sensible option. 

You can find landowners willing to rent a piece of their property for your tiny home. It is necessary to inform them about using it as a parking spot for your tiny house. 

It is easier to rent space on extensive lands in rural settings. It gets you off the city limits, gives you more privacy and independence. 

Partnering Landowners

Becoming partners or getting employed by landowners can give you a place to park your tiny house. 

This is a rather attractive option because you can stay for free in exchange for providing services on their land. 

You can seek out landowners in need of assistance. These are the elderly, farmers, owners that have unused land or land listed for a long time. You can pitch to such landowners and agree on terms of mutual sharing of benefits. 

Conclusion

Choosing a parking spot for your tiny home can prove quite a challenge. There are too many things to consider and keep in mind. But do not let it overwhelm you. 

This comprehensive guide will help you in making your decision. All you have to do is know what you want. 

For instance, If you want to go off-grid and wilderness attracts you, pick a parking spot in national parks, campgrounds, or federal lands. If you want a communal experience, you can consider RV parks or tiny house communities. 

Your choice of parking option should complement your lifestyle perfectly. 

There is so much more to read on rules, regulations, parking options, resources, and that you can do on tinyhouse.com!

Tiny House is focused on providing answers to every tiny house-related question. And if you have no questions, you can still read about the tiny house experience. 

So read and learn on tinyhouse.com, choose a spot, park your tiny house and start your tiny house experience.