Tiny home rules in Henrico County, VA — 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.
Virginia regulates tiny homes through the Uniform Statewide Building Code and IRC Appendix Q, preempting local construction standards while leaving placement and zoning to localities.
Va. Code § 36-97 establishes the USBC as the exclusive building standard. Virginia adopted IRC Appendix Q (Tiny Houses) effective with the 2018 IRC, allowing dwellings ≤400 sq ft on permanent foundations to use modified ceiling height, loft, and stair standards. Tiny homes on wheels are regulated as recreational vehicles under Va. Code § 46.2-100 and cannot serve as permanent dwellings except in approved RV parks. Localities cannot adopt stricter construction codes but control zoning, lot size, and minimum dwelling square footage.
USBC violations up to $2,500 civil penalty; unlawful dwelling-use of RV may carry local zoning fines plus eviction orders.
See how Henrico County's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.