Kansas City, MO Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Kansas City adopted the IRC Appendix AQ for tiny houses, permitting dwellings 400 square feet or less as long as they sit on a permanent foundation and meet minimum ceiling height, egress, and sanitation requirements. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are separately allowed in many zoning districts. Tiny houses on wheels (THOWs) are classified as recreational vehicles under state law and cannot be used as permanent dwellings on residential lots in most KCMO zoning districts; they can be parked in licensed RV parks or stored on-site but not occupied as permanent housing. Veterans Community Project tiny home village (former pilot in KCMO) provides an example of non-profit tiny home clustering under special entitlements. Utility connections must meet code, including proper sewer or septic, potable water, and electrical service. Minimum lot size rules apply. Missouri's Uniform Building Construction code does not preempt local bans on THOWs as dwellings. Foundation-based tiny homes in single-family zones typically trigger minimum dwelling size debates at zoning.