The tiny house movement is gaining popularity across the United States, offering a minimalist and sustainable lifestyle. Texas, with its vast landscapes and diverse communities, is an attractive state for tiny house enthusiasts. However, understanding the rules and regulations for parking and living in a tiny house in Texas is crucial. This article provides a detailed guide to help you navigate these regulations.
Rules and Regulations in Texas
In Texas, the rules and regulations for tiny houses depend on whether the tiny house is on wheels (THOW) or on a permanent foundation. Here are the key points to consider:
- Zoning Laws: Zoning laws in Texas are determined at the local level, meaning each city or county can have different regulations. Generally, tiny houses on wheels are classified as recreational vehicles (RVs) and must comply with the state's RV standards. Tiny houses on permanent foundations must comply with local zoning ordinances and building codes[.
- Building Codes: Tiny houses on permanent foundations must comply with the Texas State Building Code, which is based on the International Residential Code (IRC). This includes requirements for safety, sanitation, and structural integrity. Tiny houses on wheels must comply with RV standards and may need to be certified by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).
- Parking and Living: Tiny houses can be parked in RV parks, on private property (with permission), or in designated tiny house communities. However, it is essential to check local zoning laws and obtain any necessary permits before parking your tiny house.
House Types in Texas
Texas recognizes several types of housing, including single-family homes, multi-family homes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Tiny houses can fit into these categories depending on their construction and location:
- Single-Family Homes: Tiny houses on permanent foundations can be considered single-family homes if they meet the state building code requirements.
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Texas allows for the construction of ADUs on residential lots. A tiny house can be considered an ADU if it meets local zoning and building code requirements. This is a popular option for those looking to add a tiny house to their property as a secondary dwelling.
- Recreational Vehicles (RVs): Tiny houses on wheels are often classified as RVs. They can be parked in RV parks or on private property, but they must comply with RV standards and local regulations.
Counties in Texas that Allow Tiny Houses
Several counties in Texas have embraced the tiny house movement and have specific regulations that permit tiny houses. Here are a few examples:
- Medina County: Allows tiny houses on wheels and foundations with minimal restrictions.
- Ellis County: Permits tiny houses on wheels in RV parks and on private property.
- Lake Dallas: Supports the development of tiny house communities and allows tiny houses on wheels in RV parks and on private property.
- Brown County: Allows tiny houses on wheels in RV parks and on private property. Tiny houses on permanent foundations are permitted as single-family homes or ADUs.
- Baylor County: Permits tiny houses on wheels and foundations with minimal restrictions.
It is important to note that regulations can vary significantly between counties and even within different municipalities in the same county. Always check with local authorities to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Tiny House Communities in Texas
We know of 18 tiny house communities in Texas. Here is short description of each of them.
Lost Acres Tiny Home Community - Sites for Lease
Lost Acres Tiny Home Community is a gated community with a park-like setting in the Lost Pines ecoregion of Bastrop, Texas, just 30 minutes away from Austin, the capitol of Texas! If you and your park model tiny home need a place to park, let Lost Acres Tiny Home Community be your home! Please check out our website for community information and details. We look forward to giving you a tour or help...
Learn more about Lost Acres Tiny Home Community - Sites for Lease here
Leisure Lane RV Resort Conroe
BRAND NEW 1 bed/ 1 bath tiny homes for rent ready in September. The tiny homes are located inside Leisure Lane RV Resort in Conroe and have access to ALL of the resort amenities including pool, fishing pond, gym, laundry facility, clubhouse, pickle ball court, basketball court, community fire pit, outdoor BBQ pavilions, and playground areas.
We will also have more tiny homes available OUTSIDE o...
Learn more about Leisure Lane RV Resort Conroe here
Leisure Lane RV Resort Pinehurst
BRAND NEW 1 bed/ 1 bath tiny homes for rent ready in September. The tiny homes are located inside Leisure Lane RV Resort in Pinehurst and have access to ALL of the resort amenities including pool, fishing pond, gym, laundry facility, clubhouse, butterfly garden, community fire pit, outdoor BBQ pavilions, and playground areas.
Why pay for an apartment when you can have the whole house to yoursel...
Learn more about Leisure Lane RV Resort Pinehurst here
Cozy Acre Tiny Home Community
A tiny slice of country living 30 minutes from any major cities. Our over sized spots come with shade and full hookups. Bring your dog and gardening tips to share with our community.
We allow porches and dog fencing.
Learn more about Cozy Acre Tiny Home Community here
Tiny Home Lots in Lake Dallas Texas
Less is more! Bring your cute portable cottage, cabin, container home or tiny house on wheels to set up on our land near the lake!
The tiny home lots have full electric hookups and city water/sewer service. The average lot space is about 680 square feet. The ideal home footprint should be within 10 feet by 26 feet. Each lot has one or two tenant parking spots, depending on vehicle sizes.
T...
Learn more about Tiny Home Lots in Lake Dallas Texas here
Birches Creek Village
Birches Creek Village is NOW OPEN! Owners Cindy and Jay Thompson have created an atmosphere that invites neighbors to connect with one another and be involved in a community with like-minded people. Deep in the Heart of East Texas BCV's property boasts rolling hills, a beautiful pond and plenty of walking trails. Offering a unique collection of Tiny Homes on Wheels, Cottages and RV parking that pr...
Learn more about Birches Creek Village here
Spot Available
Great spot NW Houston all bills paid
Learn more about Spot Available here
Tiny Lots on the Prairie, host of THOWs up to 10ft wide and 30ft long.
Privately owned acreage with 7 concrete pads to park on and anchor to. We’re designed for Tiny Homes on Wheels under 300sq ft (10x30). Just 10 minutes to Decatur, Tx where there’s restaurants, shopping, job opportunities. Commuting distance to Denton, and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Gated with remote opener and fully fenced private property. Nature/walking trail around 7 1/2 acres. Filtered a...
Learn more about Tiny Lots on the Prairie, host of THOWs up to 10ft wide and 30ft long. here
Planning Phase to Convert 13.88 Acres into a Tiny Home Community
I own nearly 14 acres in Pleasanton, TX, Atascosa County, just south of San Antonio. I have 5 fenced acres with electric grid and water hookup, and a septic system. I'm in the planning phase of converting this land to exclusive use of Tiny Home enthusiasts like me. I'm new to this, but like the idea of creating a central solar system to support off-grid electricity for the community. Call me if in...
Learn more about Planning Phase to Convert 13.88 Acres into a Tiny Home Community here
Tiny Home Community in Rockport, Texas
Come and place your tiny home in a 4 acre secluded area in Liberty Hill, located 45 minutes from Corpus Christi, Texas. Only a few residents here with a 50x50 Lot. Will include water, trash and wifi with lot. Come and claim your setting......tiny homes must be built or purchased thru Tiny Home Austin. Background screening will be passed before contract is signed. Electric is metered. $550.00 per m...
Learn more about Tiny Home Community in Rockport, Texas here
A New Tiny Home on Wheels Community for Adults
If you want a private, gated 55+ community, close to nature, on a private fully stocked pond, yet close to the Dallas metroplex, then Monarch Springs Ranch is the right place for you. This eco-friendly, pocket community for just 12 homes, has 20 wooded acres, three docks, dog park, community garden and walking paths to enjoy wildflowers, butterflies, deer, birds, and waterfowl.
We are located w...
Learn more about A New Tiny Home on Wheels Community for Adults here
NamaStay Hideaway (North Texas)
A Tiny Living Community
We welcome Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW), small RVs, small Air streams, Skoolies…
Our Vision
To provide a safe, affordable, beautiful, and loving space for like minded folks in tiny dwellings to live the life they dare to dream. This is a space that will honor our resident’s vision as well as promote a community vision of prosperity, balance, fun, and purposeful living. ...
Learn more about NamaStay Hideaway (North Texas) here
Texas Hill country retreat!
Far enough away to have a true country experience but close enough to eat dinner and shop in Waco Texas! Bright stars in Dark skies promise memorable evenings!
We are building the site now and taking reservations
We will only have 5 spaces available. We will start off-grid but we are adding water and electric hookups.
Daily rates run around $75.
Weekly stays cost about $330. and aroun...
Learn more about Texas Hill country retreat! here
Village Farm Austin
Village Farm Tiny Home Community was developed as a modern agrihood. What does that mean? Agrihoods are housing developments centered around community farming,whether it be rural, suburban or even urban spaces! Built alongside Green Gate Farms, with raised beds throughout the community, Village Farm’s mission is for residents to have access to locally grown produce and take pride in sourcing and h...
Learn more about Village Farm Austin here
Blue Bonnet Ridge RV Park and Retreat
Featuring true Texas hospitality in a relaxing country setting, Bluebonnet Ridge is the perfect place to call home! Whether for a day or much longer, you can enjoy our beautiful 64 acres, which includes a family swimming pool, 5 acre fishing lake, adult hot tub, horse shoe pits, store and more. Come relax and stay with our family!
Since 2009, we have been ranked in the TOP 100 GOOD SAM PARKS IN T...
Learn more about Blue Bonnet Ridge RV Park and Retreat here
Lake Dallas Tiny House Community
Over the next few months, a half dozen more tiny houses will move onto the property which can accommodate 13 homes. The residences range from 200 to 400 square feet and each will occupy a plot of approximately 800 to 900 square feet, leaving room for a small garden and lawn. Two home sites are still available.
In addition to the initial cost of their home, each homeowner pays rent for their plot ...
Learn more about Lake Dallas Tiny House Community here
Watersedge Tiny Home Community
Unbelievable Beauty live steps away from one of the best lakes in Texas. Not only does WatersEdge offer the beauty of Lake Conroe but we also offer everything about Lake Conroe that makes it great. Tiny Homes living is not about seeing how cramped you can get in the smallest home you can manage. Tiny home shows can keep it!!! In Texas we do things bigger and translates to roomy and spacious homes ...
Learn more about Watersedge Tiny Home Community here
Silver Sky Ranch
Owned and operated by Steve Chauvet and developed to fulfill a dream of creating a unique and peaceful place for a tiny home community. This tiny home community is like no other with the flexibility to create a home for yourself and have your own space with the beautiful vistas and scenery of Texas.
Learn more about Silver Sky Ranch here
A Sample of Tiny Houses For Sale in Texas
We know of 24 tiny houses in Texas. Here is a sampling of them.
For Sale 2019 Tumbleweed Farallon certified RV Tiny home
This tiny house was a wonderful home for my daughter and I. We had so many cozy times in this home! The home has wonderful wooden features and a great layout to maximize space. It also can come with furniture pictured, including a never used twin mattress. There are many shelves, hooks, and other items that make this home very livable (pictured throughout). This home will need to be moved by buyer...
Learn more about this For Sale 2019 Tumbleweed Farallon certified RV Tiny home for sale.
Brand New Rancher Cabin - Spacious Living, Fully Furnished, Available Now
Our company, Oasis Park Models, is selling the Rancher Cabin, perfect for both recreational use and full-time living. These cabins are brand new, never lived in, and ready for immediate sale! These units come furnished, as shown in the images. We have multiple cabin styles in different locations that are available—contact us for more details!
Key Features:
- 2 Bedrooms + Loft: This cabin inclu...
Learn more about this Brand New Rancher Cabin - Spacious Living, Fully Furnished, Available Now for sale.
Tiny Home 1/1 Loft Carport/Utility
2023 Tiny Home 15x35 on Leased lot/ 1/1 with double loft. in Rockport Texas. House has never been lived in, only staged for sale. Tiled, subway tile in shower and kitchen. Stainless steel, full size frigerator and stove top. Microwave and custom steel hood vent. 13' high ceilings with LED under lighting and ceiling lights. Bedroom can fit a queen bed with barn door, walk in closet. Plenty of stora...
Learn more about this Tiny Home 1/1 Loft Carport/Utility for sale.
*Sale Pending* Immaculate, Fully Furnished RVIA Park Model Tiny Home
• Has been used as an AirBnB and is in immaculate condition
• 40’10”x11’2” (6’ porch)- 398sqft
• Buyer is responsible for transport, leveling, and tie down.
• No land, no financing, no trade
• Home is on axels
• Metal roof
• Newly painted
• Price includes all furnishings and appliances, including Birchlane Sleeper Sofa
• No sales tax - home is titled as an RV - no annual county taxes
• B...
Learn more about this *Sale Pending* Immaculate, Fully Furnished RVIA Park Model Tiny Home for sale.
Modern Tiny Home
Luxury off-grid hotel room that can be shipped anywhere in the country.
Built and designed for Airbnb/VRBO & short term rental opportunities, and ready to rent out and start generating income.
* Gas and electric utilities for cooking, heating, and more.
* Water connection for running water throughout the home.
* Hot Water Heater
* Air conditioning
* Complete bathroom with toilet, sink...
Learn more about this Modern Tiny Home for sale.
Conclusion
Living in a tiny house in Texas offers a unique opportunity to embrace a minimalist lifestyle while enjoying the state's vast landscapes and welcoming communities. By understanding and adhering to the rules and regulations, you can find the perfect spot to park and live in your tiny house. For more information about tiny houses in Texas, visit the Tiny Home Builders Marketplace.
