Tiny home rules in San Rafael, 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.
California HCD guidance and Health and Safety Code 18007 classify many tiny homes on wheels as manufactured housing or ADUs, granting statewide siting protections.
Health and Safety Code sections 18007-18014 define when a structure qualifies as a manufactured home, mobilehome, or recreational vehicle. Tiny homes built to HUD code or ANSI 119.5 standards may be sited as ADUs under Government Code 66310 et seq. (formerly 65852.2) if they meet ADU dimensional rules and are placed on a permanent foundation. RV-classified tiny homes are generally limited to mobilehome and RV parks. HCD information bulletins address movable tiny houses, and some cities adopt their own movable-tiny-house ordinances, but there is no standalone statewide siting right for tiny homes on wheels.
Improper siting outside ADU or RV-park rules may trigger zoning enforcement; HCD enforces manufactured housing standards statewide.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Rafael, CA
§19.20.080(4) prohibits the use of amplified sound in city parks and buildings without a permit. Combined with the citywide §8.13 noise limits, this is the m...
San Rafael, CA
Parking or storing large commercial vehicles in San Rafael residential zones is restricted by zoning, with weight/length thresholds limiting what may be kept...
San Rafael, CA
RV, trailer and boat storage on residential lots in San Rafael is regulated by zoning, which restricts placement and prohibits living in a parked RV. The cit...
San Rafael, CA
Driveway approaches in San Rafael require an encroachment permit and must meet city standards; vehicles generally must be parked on an approved paved surface...
San Rafael, CA
§5.40.040(1) makes it unlawful to repair or wash any motor vehicle on a city street. Routine driveway washing and minor home maintenance are not affected, bu...
San Rafael, CA
A building/zoning permit is generally required in San Rafael for fences over 6 feet or masonry/retaining walls; pool barrier fences must meet the California ...
See how San Rafael's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.