Moveable Tiny Home (MTH)

Introduction

A Moveable Tiny House (MTH) is a self-contained dwelling of 400 square feet or less that is towable by a bumper hitch, frame-towing hitch, or fifth-wheel connection. These compact homes offer homeowners and developers a flexible path to add long-term housing on residential lots without exceeding zoning density. When installed per County requirements they gain the same legal status and protections as conventional dwellings, while retaining the option to be relocated or sold independently if removed from the site.

Unlike recreational vehicles (RV), a MTH must meet the following design standards (HCC 314-69.05.5.6):

  • Exterior Materials - Materials used as exterior wall covering shall be natural or man-made, nonreflective materials; and no more than ten percent (10%) of the exterior may be reflective in nature. If within an SRA fire hazard area, exterior materials will have to comply with CBC Chapter 7A Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) requirements.
  • Windows - Windows shall be at least double pane glass and labeled for building use, and shall include exterior trim.
  • Roof - Roofs shall have a minimum of a 1:12 pitch for greater than fifty percent (50%) of the roof area.
  • Sewage Disposal - The unit shall be plumbed to allow connection to an approved means of sewage disposal. Portable or enclosed waste storage tanks are not allowed for sewage disposal.
  • Electrical Connection - A Moveable Tiny House need not be connected to a source of electrical power, but if it is, the installation shall be in accordance with the California Electrical Code, Part 3, Title 24, California Code of Regulations.

Qualification Criteria

To qualify as a MTH the structure must meet these six conditions.

  1. Is licensed and registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1192 RV standards, or if certified after January 1, 2021, meets American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 119.5 Park Model standards. Certification must be made by a qualified third-party inspector accredited through American Society for Testing and Materials.
  2. Is towable by a bumper hitch, frame-towing hitch, or fifth-wheel connection, and is not designed to move under its own power.
  3. Is no larger than allowed by California State Law for movement on public highways.
  4. Has at least one hundred twenty (120) square feet of first floor interior living space.
  5. Is a detached self-contained unit that includes basic functional areas that support normal daily routines such as cooking, sleeping, and sanitation.
  6. Substantially complies with local building, health, and safety codes as set forth in Humboldt County Code so that it qualifies as a permanent dwelling.

Minimum Documents for Permit Submittal

The following documents are required for all permit applications for a new moveable tiny home. If you are unsure what these documents are or how to get them see our Construction Documents page. It will describe what the document is, why it is required, and how you can get it.

Forms

Design Documents

  • Site Plan
  • Construction Plans
  • Energy Calculations
  • DMV License Documentation

NOTICE: Other documents will likely be required depending on where and how complex of a structure you are building. For example, if your energy calculations specify a minimum photovoltaic (PV) size you will be required to submit PV plans. See the Construction Documents page to see if other documents may be required for your permit submittal.

Quick Steps to Permit Issuance

Follow the below steps to start a permit application for a new moveable tiny home.

  1. Register for an Accela account (see our Accela Support Resources).
  2. Upload your required documents (see our Accela Support Resources and Step 3 on First Time Applying for Building Permit).
  3. Move through step 4 Preliminary Site Inspection and step 5 Plan Check described on First Time Applying for a Building Permit webpage.
  4. Once the permit is issued use the Inspections page to schedule inspections and change your issued permit if necessary.