Tiny home rules in Minneapolis, MN — 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 on foundations are permitted in Minneapolis as dwellings or ADUs under Chapter 537 if they meet the 300 sq ft minimum and all Minnesota Residential Code requirements. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are treated as recreational vehicles and cannot be used as permanent dwellings.
Minneapolis accommodates the tiny home movement through its ADU framework. A tiny home built on a permanent foundation with a minimum floor area of 300 square feet qualifies as an ADU under Chapter 537 provided it meets Minnesota Residential Code requirements including frost-depth footings, R-20 walls, R-49 ceiling, 6-foot 8-inch ceiling height, smoke and CO alarms, and egress windows. Structures under 300 square feet do not meet the ADU threshold and would instead be treated as sheds with no habitation permitted. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are classified as RVs under Minnesota Statute 168.011 and cannot be used as permanent dwellings in Minneapolis residential districts. Temporary stays in an RV on private property are allowed for up to 14 days per year under Chapter 535. Community-scale tiny home villages require PUD approval and compliance with ICC 1215 or NFPA 225 park model standards.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Minneapolis code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how Minneapolis's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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