Bowling Green, KY Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Bowling Green follows the Kentucky Residential Code (815 KAR 7:125, which adopts the International Residential Code as modified by Kentucky), administered by the Bowling Green Building Division. A site-built or HUD-certified tiny home on a permanent foundation in a residential zone is either: (1) the principal single-family dwelling, in which case it must meet the dimensional standards in Joint Zoning Ord. § 4.4.5.B for the zone (RS-1A minimum 12,000 sq ft lot, 25 ft front, 10 ft side, 25 ft rear; RS-1D minimum 5,000 sq ft lot, 25 ft front, 5 ft side, 25 ft rear, etc.); or (2) an Accessory Apartment under § 4.4.5.E(5), in which case it is capped at 50% of the principal dwelling, limited to family-member occupancy, owner-occupancy of the main house is required, and only allowed in RR/R-E/RS-1 zones. Joint Zoning Ord. § 4.4.5.E(4) is explicit: 'Accessory buildings/structures shall be permanently affixed to the ground and shall not include mobile home, bus, travel trailer, RV, trailer, cooler, vehicle or freight container unless modified to meet building codes and all other applicable regulations.' That language likewise applies to principal dwellings under § 4.4.4 — tiny homes on wheels classified as RVs or park models cannot be used as a primary or accessory residence. Permanent placement of a manufactured tiny home also requires HUD-code certification and the same building permit, foundation, utility-connection, and inspection process as any single-family residence.