Tiny home rules in Temecula, 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.
Tiny homes on permanent foundations qualify as ADUs in Temecula under Gov Code §65852.2 with full ministerial approval. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are RVs/park trailers, may not be used as permanent dwellings on residential lots, and are limited to RV park use or movable-tiny-house ADU rules.
California treats tiny homes by construction type. Tiny homes built on permanent foundations and meeting the 2022 California Residential Code can qualify as ADUs under Gov Code §65852.2 with all the protections discussed in the ADU subcategory — 60-day ministerial approval, 4-foot setbacks, no replacement parking, etc. A small ADU under 750 sq ft also waives city impact fees. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are governed differently. Under the California Health & Safety Code, a movable home built on a chassis is either: (a) a manufactured home regulated by HCD if HUD-certified, (b) a recreational vehicle (RV) regulated by HCD if NFPA 1192 or ANSI 119.5 certified, or (c) a park trailer regulated by HCD. RVs and park trailers cannot be used as permanent dwellings on residential lots in Temecula except temporarily during construction (with permit) or in licensed mobile-home parks/RV parks. Some California cities have adopted 'movable tiny house' ordinances allowing certified THOWs as backyard dwellings — Temecula has not adopted such an ordinance, so THOWs cannot be used as permanent residences in residential zones. Foundation-built tiny homes on a trailer chassis may qualify as ADUs only if the chassis is removed and the home is permanently affixed. Sleeping in an RV in a driveway is generally limited to short visits and prohibited as a long-term residence.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Temecula code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle tiny homes.
See how Temecula's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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