Brevard County, FL Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)
Tiny home rules in Brevard County, FL, 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.
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Planning and Development Dept.
- Living area range
- 120–750 sq ft
- Anchor plans
- Sealed by FL engineer
- Permit validity
- 180 days to complete setup
- Scope
- Unincorporated Brevard only
Summary
Unincorporated Brevard requires a permit, engineered anchoring, and utility hookups before a tiny house on wheels can be used as a permanent home.
Any owner or owner's agent who desires to place a THOW for use as a primary residential structure shall first obtain a permit from the planning and development department... Anchor/tie down plans must be designed to resist the wind loads determined in accordance with ASCE-7... Tiny house or tiny house on wheels (THOW) use is only allowed on lots that meet the current minimum lot area of their respective zoning classification. Contain a minimum living area of 120 square feet up to a maximum floor area of 750 square feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
A tiny house on wheels (THOW) used as a permanent residence in unincorporated Brevard County needs a permit from the Planning and Development Department before placement. Applicants must submit a site survey, proof of sewer/septic access, wind-load anchor/tie-down plans sealed by a Florida-registered engineer, and ANSI A119.5 construction verification. The permit is void if setup and inspection aren't completed within 180 days, and a THOW counts as "permanent" once it sits on a lot more than 180 consecutive days. Under the zoning code, a THOW must meet the lot's minimum lot area, hold 120 to 750 square feet of living area, and stand as the lot's only primary residential structure outside TR-3 zoning.
Violations & Fines
Placing or using a THOW as a permanent residence without a permit, or without required inspections and a certificate of occupancy, is enforced under Brevard County Code § 2-176 or Florida Statutes chapter 162 (code enforcement), which can carry escalating daily fines through a special magistrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I live in a tiny house on wheels full-time in unincorporated Brevard County?
How big can a Brevard County tiny house on wheels be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida accessory structures overview
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