Santa Clara County, CA Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)
Tiny home rules in Santa Clara 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
- Allowance
- 1 per lot, replaces standard ADU
- Minimum size
- 100 sq ft enclosed
- Construction standard
- ANSI 119.5 required
- Registration
- DMV-licensed; can't self-propel
- Utilities
- Direct water/sewer/electric hookup
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County allows one movable tiny home per lot in place of a standard ADU, but only if it's ANSI 119.5-certified, DMV-registered, incapable of self-propulsion, and hard-connected to permanent water, sewer and electric service.
E.Movable Tiny Homes. Movable tiny homes are subject to all of the following provisions:1.Shall adhere to all setback, height, and floor area limitations pursuant to Section 4.10.015(D).2.Shall be a self-contained unit that complies with all State of California requirements, is constructed in compliance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 119.5 standard, and is licensed and registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.3.Shall not move under its own power.5.Shall have at least 100 square feet of enclosed space.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Under Zoning Ordinance § 4.10.015(E), a movable tiny home substitutes for one standard accessory dwelling unit and must follow the same setback, height and floor-area limits that apply to a detached ADU under § 4.10.015(D). It has to be a self-contained unit meeting ANSI 119.5 construction standards, and it must be licensed and registered with the California DMV and unable to move under its own power. Minimum enclosed space is 100 square feet, and the unit must connect directly to an approved water source, an onsite wastewater or sanitary sewer system, and electric utilities: built-in holding tanks can't be used for waste storage. The undercarriage must be hidden from view, and shipping containers or corrugated aluminum/fiberglass siding are prohibited.
Violations & Fines
A tiny home lacking ANSI 119.5 certification, DMV registration, or a direct utility hookup can't get a County building permit and is treated as an unpermitted structure subject to code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a movable tiny home on my unincorporated Santa Clara County property?
Do movable tiny homes follow the same setbacks as a regular ADU?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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