Tiny home rules in San Marcos, 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 Marcos permits tiny homes on permanent foundations as ADUs under California ADU law (Government Code 65852.2). Tiny homes on wheels are not recognized as permanent dwellings under SMMC.
San Marcos allows tiny homes on permanent foundations as accessory dwelling units under California Government Code Section 65852.2 and local ADU ordinance provisions in SMMC Title 20. Junior ADUs down to 150 sq ft are permitted within existing structures. Detached ADUs can be up to 1,200 sq ft. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are classified as recreational vehicles and cannot serve as permanent residences on residential lots. THOWs may only be stored subject to RV parking regulations. All permanent tiny homes must meet California Building Code requirements for habitable space, including minimum ceiling heights, egress windows, plumbing, and electrical systems. Building permits are required through Development Services at (760) 744-1050 x3233.
Unpermitted dwelling units subject to code enforcement action. Occupying a THOW as a residence may result in citations. Contact Code Enforcement at (760) 744-1050 x3234.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
See how other cities in San Diego County handle tiny homes.
See how San Marcos's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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