Tiny home rules in Louisville, KY — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Tiny homes in Louisville Metro are allowed as primary residences when built on a permanent foundation to the Kentucky Residential Code, meeting minimum dwelling size and bedroom standards. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are treated as recreational vehicles and cannot serve as permanent dwellings in most residential zones. Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules have been expanding and may allow small secondary units on existing lots.
Kentucky Residential Code Appendix AQ provides a tiny house supplement for homes under 400 square feet, allowing loft bedrooms, ladders, and reduced ceiling heights. A site-built or modular tiny home on a permanent foundation meeting Appendix AQ can serve as a primary residence in Louisville residential zones if the lot meets minimum lot size requirements. Tiny homes on wheels — those built on a trailer chassis — are classified as RVs by Kentucky and cannot be occupied as permanent dwellings in typical residential zones; RV park and campground regulations apply. Louisville Metro has been expanding accessory dwelling unit rules to allow small secondary units on existing residential lots, which is the clearest path to small-footprint living in Louisville. ADUs must meet building code, setbacks, and owner-occupancy of either the main house or the ADU. Short-term rental use of ADUs is regulated under Chapter 115. HOA covenants often restrict tiny homes and ADUs in newer subdivisions.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Louisville code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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