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Kootenai County, ID Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Tiny home rules in Kootenai County, ID, 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.

Key Facts

Dedicated rule
No tiny-home ordinance
On wheels
Treated as RV / park model
RV as dwelling
Generally not permitted
On foundation
Regulated as a dwelling
Sewage
Panhandle Health District approval

Summary

Kootenai County has no dedicated tiny-home ordinance. A tiny home on wheels is a recreational vehicle or park model RV, which cannot be used as a permanent dwelling; a tiny home on a foundation must meet building code and normal dwelling standards.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Kootenai County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

An RV shall not be used as a dwelling except as provided in this section. The owner of an RV must have a primary residence other than the RV.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

The Kootenai County Land Use and Development Code has no chapter specifically for 'tiny homes.' How a tiny home is regulated depends on its type. A tiny home on a trailer is a recreational vehicle or, under 8.4.403, a park model recreational vehicle, both subject to the RV rules of Article 3.4: RVs cannot be used as a dwelling except in narrow cases, the owner must keep a separate primary residence, and RVs must connect to an approved Panhandle Health District sewage system. A tiny home built on a permanent foundation is regulated as a single-family dwelling and must meet the building code and zone standards. A second permanent tiny home may qualify as an accessory living unit under 8.4.301.

Violations & Fines

Using an RV or park model as a full-time residence outside the code's exceptions is a violation; enforcement follows Article 8.6.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I live in a tiny home on wheels full-time?
Generally no. It is treated as an RV or park model, which under LUDC Article 3.4 cannot be used as a permanent dwelling except in limited situations (such as during construction).
What about a tiny home on a foundation?
It is regulated as a single-family dwelling and must meet the building code and zone standards; a second one may be an accessory living unit under 8.4.301.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kootenai County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsADU RulesSome RestrictionsShed & Carport RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome Restrictions

All Kootenai County rules

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