Tiny home rules in Arlington Heights, IL β covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds β determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Arlington Heights does not permit tiny homes as independent dwelling units on residential lots. The Village zoning ordinance establishes minimum dwelling size requirements and does not recognize tiny homes on wheels as permanent structures. Tiny homes on foundations would need to meet all building code and zoning requirements including minimum square footage.
The Village of Arlington Heights zoning ordinance does not specifically address tiny homes but effectively prohibits them through minimum dwelling size requirements and restrictions on accessory dwelling units. Single-family homes in Arlington Heights must meet minimum floor area requirements established in the zoning code, which vary by district but generally require at least 1,000 square feet for the principal dwelling. Tiny homes on wheels are classified as recreational vehicles, not permanent dwellings, and cannot be used as primary residences on residential lots. Parking a tiny home on wheels in a driveway or yard for use as a dwelling would violate both zoning and building codes. A tiny home built on a permanent foundation would need to comply with all applicable building codes, including the International Residential Code as adopted by Illinois, and meet the minimum square footage requirements for the zoning district. Because Arlington Heights does not broadly permit ADUs, placing a tiny home as a secondary dwelling on a lot with an existing house is not allowed. The Village has not adopted any tiny home-specific ordinances or pilot programs.
Using a tiny home on wheels as a dwelling is a zoning violation subject to fines of $100-$750 per day. The Village may order removal of the unit. Building an undersized dwelling without meeting minimum square footage requirements is a building code violation. Contact Community Development at (847) 368-5100.
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