Calaveras County, CA Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Under Calaveras County Zoning Code Section 17.25.040, an accessory dwelling unit must be a permanent structure conforming to the Title 15 building code, which effectively excludes RVs, tiny homes on wheels and other movable units from qualifying as ADUs. A site-built tiny home that meets the California Building Code (including minimum room sizes and ceiling height) can be permitted as a permanent dwelling or ADU. There are two main paths for non-permanent units. First, Section 17.25.220.A.3 allows a single-wide mobile home, recreational vehicle or travel trailer with current, valid registration to be used as a temporary residence where a building permit has been issued for a permanent residence on the same parcel; only one temporary residence is allowed per parcel, it may not be occupied until the permit for the permanent home is obtained and paid for, and it must be removed or converted before a certificate of occupancy is issued for the permanent home. Second, Section 17.25.080 permits a property owner to camp on their own land in an RV or other shelter for up to 14 continuous days or 30 cumulative days per calendar year. After the 2015 Butte Fire and other declared disasters, Section 17.23.040 separately authorizes temporary replacement housing (mobile home, manufactured home, modular unit or RV) on a parcel whose residence was destroyed, generally for up to two years (with a possible one-year extension), subject to water, sewer and hazard-clearance standards.