Tiny home rules in Nevada County, CA 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.
Since January 14, 2025, Nevada County permits Tiny Homes on Wheels up to 400 square feet as single-family dwellings, ADUs, or units in dwelling groups under LUDC Sec. 12.03.310, subject to building permits and design standards.
The Board of Supervisors adopted the THOW ordinance on January 14, 2025, adding Sec. 12.03.310 to the Land Use and Development Code. A qualifying THOW is no larger than 400 gross square feet (excluding lofts per Health and Safety Code Sec. 18033), built on a single chassis with wheels, DMV-registered, and compliant with HSC Sec. 18027.3 standards. Units must meet zoning setbacks and density, look like conventional homes (residential siding, trimmed windows, minimum insulation values), keep their wheels, be anchored with engineer-certified tie-downs, screen the undercarriage, and connect to approved water, sewage, and electrical service. A recorded deed restriction limits rentals to 30 days or more, and high fire severity zone or dead-end road sites need a Fire Protection Plan.
Occupying a THOW without building permits, DMV registration, or required utility connections violates the ordinance; short-term rental of a THOW breaches the recorded deed restriction and invites code enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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