Tiny home rules in San Francisco, 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.
San Francisco allows tiny homes as Accessory Dwelling Units under state ADU law (Gov Code 65852.2) and SF Planning Code Section 207. Movable tiny homes on wheels qualify as ADUs under AB 2421 if permanently sited with utilities and permits. Standalone 'tiny house' residences are otherwise restricted.
SF is one of California's most ADU-friendly cities. Under Planning Code 207 and state Government Code 65852.2, a tiny home can be permitted as an ADU (detached, 150-1,200 sq ft) on any single-family or multifamily lot, with ministerial approval in 60 days. Movable Tiny Houses (MTHs) on wheels, built to ANSI 119.5 standards and under 400 sq ft, qualify under AB 2421 if permanently connected to utilities, with wheels removed or skirted, and permitted as ADUs. SF requires meeting standard ADU setbacks (4 ft side/rear, front yard of main building), height (16 ft detached), and one-unit-per-lot as of 2022 state law. No owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs permitted 2020-2024; from 2025, owner-occupancy of the main unit may apply. Short-term rental of ADUs is prohibited under SF Admin Code 41A. Standalone tiny homes not classified as ADUs are not permitted as primary residences in SF zoning. Homeless-services navigation centers and 'tiny villages' exist under separate emergency housing rules.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact San Francisco code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how San Francisco's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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