San Benito County, CA Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)
Tiny home rules in San Benito County, 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.
Key Facts
- Size range
- 150 to 400 gross sq ft
- Towing height cap
- 14 feet
- Roof pitch
- Min. 1:12 on 50% of roof
- Inspection
- Annual Fire Marshal inspection
Summary
Unincorporated San Benito County allows tiny homes as a primary dwelling or an ADU in any zone that permits residential dwellings, provided the unit is 150 to 400 gross square feet and meets skirting, roof-pitch and utility standards.
(A) Tiny home defined. A TINY HOME is a small towable residential unit that is not on a permanent foundation and is towable for moving from place to place. ... (B) Where permitted. Tiny homes are permitted in all zoning districts that allow residential dwellings or ADUs... (c) Minimum and maximum size. Minimum size: 150 gross square feet. Maximum size: 400 gross square feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
Under § 25.08.029, a tiny home, a small towable residential unit not on a permanent foundation, is permitted in any zoning district that allows residential dwellings or ADUs. It must be between 150 and 400 gross square feet, use skirting to hide the undercarriage, have at least a 1:12 roof pitch on half the roof, sit on a paved parking pad, and connect to approved water and sewer utilities. Height is capped at 14 feet while being towed; a stationary tiny home follows the underlying zone's height limit. An annual fire inspection is required.
Violations & Fines
Placing a tiny home without meeting the size, skirting, roof-pitch, foundation or utility-connection standards of § 25.08.029, or skipping the required annual Fire Marshal inspection, is a code violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a tiny home on my property in unincorporated San Benito County?
How big can a tiny home be under county rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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