Tiny home rules in Thousand Oaks, 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 are regulated as ADUs under California state law and TOMC Chapter 9. Tiny homes on wheels are classified as recreational vehicles and cannot be used as permanent dwellings in residential zones. Minimum dwelling size requirements apply.
Tiny homes on permanent foundations in Thousand Oaks are regulated under the city's ADU ordinance and California Government Code Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22. Junior ADUs can be as small as 150 square feet. Full ADUs have a minimum size and must meet California Building Code standards for habitable space including ceiling height, ventilation, plumbing, and egress. Tiny homes on wheels are classified as recreational vehicles under TOMC and may be parked on a property per RV storage rules but cannot be used as permanent residences. They cannot be connected to utilities for habitation in residential zones. The city's ADU streamlining under state law means tiny homes on foundations benefit from reduced fees and expedited permit processing.
Using a tiny home on wheels as a permanent dwelling is a zoning violation subject to code enforcement. Building a tiny home without proper permits results in stop-work orders and retroactive permitting.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Ventura County.
See how other cities in Ventura County handle tiny homes.
See how Thousand Oaks's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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