Sahuarita, AZ Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Tiny homes in Sahuarita fall into two regulatory categories. Site-built tiny homes on a permanent foundation are treated as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or guest houses under the Land Development Code and must meet International Residential Code standards, including minimum ceiling height (6 feet 8 inches for habitable rooms), egress windows, and kitchen/bathroom plumbing. Arizona HB 2674 (2022) directed municipalities to allow ADUs in residential zones, and Sahuarita has been updating its code accordingly. Minimum size for a habitable dwelling is typically 200 square feet under Arizona building code. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are classified as recreational vehicles under Arizona law and may not be used as permanent residences on residential lots. They can be parked for temporary occupancy (typically up to 30 days) with a valid RV registration. Manufactured tiny homes must comply with HUD code (federal) and receive an Arizona installation permit through the Office of Manufactured Housing. All tiny homes used as permanent ADUs need sewer or septic connection, potable water, and electrical service. In the Sahuarita area, septic system regulations through Pima County Department of Environmental Quality apply to properties not connected to the Sahuarita municipal water system.