Tiny home rules in Somerville, NJ — 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.
Tiny homes built on permanent foundations must meet the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, including IRC Appendix Q for dwellings under 400 square feet.
Under NJSA 52:27D-119 et seq., all permanent dwellings in New Jersey must comply with the Uniform Construction Code, which adopts the International Residential Code. NJ has adopted IRC Appendix Q, providing relaxed standards (lofts, ladders, reduced ceiling heights) for dwellings 400 square feet or less. Tiny homes on wheels are regulated as recreational vehicles and generally cannot be used as permanent residences in residential zones. Local zoning controls minimum dwelling size and where tiny homes may be sited.
Occupying a non-compliant tiny home as a dwelling can result in UCC penalties up to $2,000 per violation and local zoning enforcement, including eviction or removal orders.
See how Somerville's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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