Tiny home rules in Manitou Springs, CO — 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.
El Paso County allows tiny homes on permanent foundations as dwellings if they meet IRC Appendix Q (400 sq ft or less). Tiny homes on wheels are treated as RVs and cannot be used as permanent dwellings in most residential zones. ADU pathway exists via Res. 22-05.
Tiny homes in El Paso County are classified by construction type. Foundation-built tiny homes must meet 2021 IRC as adopted by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department; the IRC Appendix Q amendment allows dwellings 400 sq ft or less with relaxed ceiling height (minimum 6'8" in living areas, 6'4" in bathrooms), loft stair requirements, and emergency egress. Tiny homes on wheels (THOW) are classified as either recreational vehicles (if built to ANSI A119.5 / NFPA 1192) or manufactured homes (if HUD-certified), not as site-built dwellings. Most El Paso County residential zones prohibit RV use as permanent residence — occupancy beyond 14-30 consecutive days violates the Land Development Code. El Paso County adopted an ADU ordinance via Resolution 22-05 allowing accessory dwelling units on single-family lots meeting size and setback requirements, which can accommodate small-footprint tiny homes as site-built ADUs. Utility requirements (potable water connection or approved well, septic or sewer connection, permanent electrical) apply to all dwellings. HB 24-1152 (state ADU mandate) applies to jurisdictions in MPOs with 1,000+ population — unincorporated El Paso County outside Colorado Springs MPO has limited state preemption.
Unpermitted occupancy: removal order and fines $500-$2,000. RV used as dwelling beyond allowed period: zoning violation, daily fines. No certificate of occupancy: cannot legally occupy. Illegal septic: CDPHE enforcement.
Manitou Springs, CO
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Manitou Springs, CO
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Manitou Springs, CO
Construction noise in Manitou Springs is regulated under Chapter 6.08 and the Colorado state noise framework (C.R.S. §25-12-103). Standard construction hours...
Manitou Springs, CO
Manitou Springs has a managed parking system due to its narrow canyon-town geography and high tourist traffic. Residential permit parking zones, paid parking...
Manitou Springs, CO
Manitou Springs requires vehicles on private property to be parked in compliant areas. Given the city's limited street space, driveway usage and on-property ...
Manitou Springs, CO
RV and large vehicle parking in Manitou Springs is limited to designated areas: Hiawatha Gardens Lot, the 300–400 blocks of Manitou Avenue, and Fields Park. ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in El Paso County.
See how Manitou Springs's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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