Tiny home rules in Maricopa County, AZ — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Tiny homes in unincorporated Maricopa County are regulated as either ADUs or manufactured/mobile homes depending on their construction. Site-built tiny homes on permanent foundations may qualify as ADUs under HB 2570 (ARS 9-462.01(U)). Tiny homes on wheels are classified as recreational vehicles and cannot serve as permanent dwellings. Building permits and compliance with residential building codes are required.
Tiny homes in unincorporated Maricopa County are classified differently depending on their construction type. Site-built tiny homes on permanent foundations may qualify as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) under Arizona HB 2570 (ARS 9-462.01(U)), which requires counties to allow ADUs on single-family lots with reasonable regulations. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are classified as recreational vehicles under both state and county regulations and cannot serve as permanent residences on residential lots. Manufactured tiny homes must comply with HUD federal manufactured housing standards and be placed on an approved foundation. All permanent tiny homes require building permits, must meet IRC residential building code for minimum ceiling heights, egress windows, and plumbing, and must connect to approved water and wastewater systems.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Maricopa County code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how Maricopa County's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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