Orlando, FL Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Florida regulates tiny homes through two parallel paths. Foundation-built tiny homes are dwelling units under the Florida Building Code Residential (FBC-R) and Orlando Land Development Code. They require a building permit, must meet all FBC standards (structure, wind-load 130+ mph, energy, electrical, plumbing, mechanical), and must satisfy zoning minimum dwelling-unit standards. Most Orlando residential districts have minimum dwelling-unit floor areas (commonly 600 to 750 sq ft for the smallest accessory dwelling, with primary dwellings often required to be larger). Habitable rooms must have at least one room of at least 120 sq ft, ceiling heights of 7 feet (6 feet 8 inches in bathrooms and kitchens), an emergency egress window in each sleeping room (5.7 sq ft openable), and full bathroom and kitchen facilities. A foundation tiny home can serve as a primary single-family residence on its own lot if it meets minimum size and lot standards, or as an ADU on a property with an existing primary dwelling subject to ADU rules. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are typically built to ANSI A119.5 (park model RV) or NFPA 1192 (recreational vehicle) standards, not the building code. Florida Statute 320.01 defines park model RVs and travel trailers, and FL Stat 513 governs mobile home and RV parks. Orlando does not allow long-term occupancy of an RV or THOW as a primary dwelling on a standard residential lot. Long-term THOW living is permitted only in licensed RV parks, mobile home parks, or designated tiny-home communities, with park rules and Department of Health Chapter 64E-15 standards applying. Some Florida jurisdictions have created tiny-home overlay districts or amended their codes for THOW use; Orlando has not broadly done so but has explored pilot programs in connection with affordable housing initiatives. HUD-code manufactured homes (built to federal standard 24 CFR 3280) can be placed on permanent foundations on lots zoned for them, generally requiring a minimum size of around 720 sq ft. Buyers of any tiny home should verify Florida Product Approval (foundation-built) or confirm RV/park-model certification and HUD/ANSI labeling (factory-built).