Plumas County, CA Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

In unincorporated Plumas County, a tiny home on wheels is considered a recreational vehicle (RV), regulated by the DMV or California Housing and Community Development (HCD), and by definition is treated as a vehicle and not a structure - so the county's FAQ states it cannot be lived in year-round. An RV/THOW may be used for human habitation only within an RV park or campground, or under the County Code's camping limitations (Sec. 9-2.405), which permit camping on private land in non-Prime Opportunity Areas for no more than 120 days in a calendar year, subject to the property owner's consent and the county's health regulations for water and sanitation. Camping in RVs is not allowed in single-family residential zones (2-R, 3-R, 7-R). The pathway to permanent occupancy is to convert a park-model tiny home into a permitted accessory dwelling unit under Article 45: per the county, this requires connecting all utilities to county-approved systems under a county-issued permit, removing the wheels and tongue, placing the unit on the permitted foundation, an exterior that resembles a home rather than an RV, and skirting around the bottom that matches the exterior. A tiny home built on a permanent foundation to California Building Code standards is treated as a dwelling or ADU, not an RV. Confirm current rules with Plumas County Planning and Building Services.