Tiny home rules in Murrieta, CA — 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 Murrieta are regulated based on whether they are built on a foundation (as an ADU or movable tiny house on foundation) or on wheels (as a recreational vehicle or Park Model RV). Foundation-based tiny homes fall under ADU laws (Gov Code section 65852.2, as amended by SB 1211). Tiny homes on wheels are generally not permitted as permanent residences in residential zones.
California has no single tiny-home statute, but several frameworks apply. A tiny home built on a permanent foundation meeting the California Residential Code minimums can qualify as an Accessory Dwelling Unit under Gov Code section 65852.2 (as amended by AB 68, AB 881, SB 9, SB 897, and SB 1211 in 2024). SB 1211 expanded the number of detached ADUs allowed on multifamily parcels to up to 8, and clarified objective standards. Under state ADU law Murrieta must ministerially approve ADUs meeting state standards on any lot with an existing or proposed single-family or multifamily dwelling, with setbacks limited to 4 feet rear and side and height limits of 16 to 18 feet for detached units. Movable tiny houses built to ANSI 119.5 or NFPA 1192 standards are treated as recreational vehicles and are allowed only in RV parks or temporarily during construction. A Park Model RV constructed to ANSI 119.5 cannot be used as a permanent residence outside a licensed mobile home or RV park. Murrieta enforces this distinction through code enforcement. Utility hookups and sewer connections are required for any tiny home occupied more than 30 days on a residential lot.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Murrieta code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle tiny homes.
See how Murrieta's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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