Tiny home rules in Saraland, AL — 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.
Alabama enforces statewide minimum building, energy, and manufactured-home standards through the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission and the state-adopted residential code. Tiny homes built on permanent foundations must satisfy these statewide standards, while HUD-code units are governed by federal preemption administered by the state.
Manufactured homes in Alabama are regulated under Ala. Code §§ 24-5-1 through 24-5-14, administered by the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission. HUD-code manufactured units enjoy federal preemption regarding construction standards, and Alabama law requires registration and titling through the Department of Revenue. Site-built tiny homes must comply with the building codes adopted by the local jurisdiction, but the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board (Ala. Code § 41-9-160 et seq.) sets statewide minimum energy standards. Recreational vehicles and park-model RVs are titled under Title 32 and may not be used as permanent dwellings except in licensed parks.
Selling or installing a manufactured tiny home without Commission approval is a misdemeanor. Untitled units may be impounded; unlicensed dealers face fines up to several thousand dollars per violation.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Mobile County.
See how Saraland's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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