Tiny home rules in Taunton, MA — 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.
Foundation-built tiny homes in Bristol County must meet 780 CMR and local minimum dwelling size. Tiny homes on wheels classify as RVs/manufactured homes under MGL ch. 140 §32. MBTA Communities Act (ch. 40A §3A) expanded ADU options statewide.
Tiny homes in Bristol County are regulated based on construction type. Foundation-built tiny houses are treated as single-family dwellings under 780 CMR and must meet local zoning's minimum dwelling size (often 450 to 800 sq ft in Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton residential zones) and full building code. IRC Appendix AQ (tiny houses under 400 sq ft) has been partially adopted through 780 CMR updates. Tiny homes on wheels (THOW) are classified as recreational vehicles or manufactured housing under MGL ch. 140 §32 and may only be placed in licensed manufactured-home parks unless used as temporary RV occupancy — they cannot serve as a permanent dwelling on a residential lot. The 2024 Affordable Homes Act and MBTA Communities zoning (MGL ch. 40A §3A) require most Bristol County municipalities to allow ADUs by right in single-family districts, creating a clearer path for small detached dwellings up to 900 sq ft as accessory units.
Unpermitted tiny dwelling: removal or retroactive permitting. THOW as permanent residence: zoning enforcement, required relocation. Occupancy without certificate of occupancy: prohibited.
Taunton, MA
Taunton adopted a comprehensive noise ordinance (Chapter 315) on November 2, 2021, prohibiting preventable and unnecessary noise. Noise that annoys or distur...
Taunton, MA
Taunton restricts construction, demolition, alteration, and repair of buildings to 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM under Chapter 315. Work outside these hours requires a ...
Taunton, MA
Taunton's noise ordinance Chapter 315 prohibits keeping any animal or bird that causes frequent or long-continued sounds plainly audible within a noise-sensi...
Taunton, MA
Taunton enforces street parking regulations under its traffic ordinances. Parking lot landscaping is required for lots of 10+ spaces under the zoning code. T...
Taunton, MA
Taunton regulates commercial vehicle parking through traffic and zoning ordinances. Commercial vehicles must comply with general parking rules and zoning dis...
Taunton, MA
Taunton's zoning ordinance Chapter 440 regulates off-street parking and driveways. Rear yard parking areas must be at least 5 feet from adjoining property li...
See how Taunton'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.