Tiny Homes: Fontana vs Hesperia
How do tiny homes rules compare between Fontana, CA and Hesperia, CA?
Fontana and Hesperia have similar restriction levels.
Fontana, CA
San Bernardino County
Stationary tiny homes in Fontana permit as ADUs under Gov Code 65852.2 up to 1,200 sq ft. Tiny houses on wheels are treated as RVs and cannot be permanent residences outside an RV park.
View full Fontana rules →Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Hesperia treats permanently sited tiny homes as Accessory Dwelling Units under §16.12.360, allowing detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft (minimum 150 sq ft) on lots with an existing single-family residence. Detached ADUs are capped at 16 ft in height with 4-foot side/rear setbacks. Manufactured homes under 10 years old qualify. RVs explicitly do not qualify as ADUs under §16.12.360(E)(2).
View full Hesperia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fontana | Hesperia |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary tiny homes | Permitted as ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft under GC 65852.2 | - |
| HUD-code tiny homes | Allowed on permanent foundation with tie-down | - |
| Tiny homes on wheels | Treated as RVs - no permanent residential use outside RV park | - |
| Plan check required | Title 24, CRC, and structural engineering for ADU tiny homes | - |
| Approval timeline | 60 days ministerial for compliant ADU tiny home | - |
| Max Detached ADU Size | - | 1,200 sq ft livable (§16.12.360(E)(2)) |
| Min ADU Size | - | 150 sq ft (no RVs qualify) |
| Max Height (Detached) | - | 16 ft (18 ft near transit); attached 25 ft |
| Setbacks | - | 4 ft side / 4 ft rear (§16.12.360(E)(4)) |
| Min Rental Term | - | 30 consecutive days (§16.12.360(D)(7)) |
| State Authority | - | Cal. Gov. Code §§65852.2, 65852.22 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fontana FAQ
Can I put a tiny home in my Fontana backyard?
Yes if it is built to code on a permanent foundation and permitted as an ADU. A tiny house on wheels used as a permanent residence is not allowed.
Is a Park Model RV legal to live in on my Fontana property?
No. California treats park-model RVs as recreational vehicles, and Fontana prohibits using an RV as a full-time residence on private residential property.
What size tiny home can I permit as an ADU?
Detached ADUs up to 1,200 square feet are allowed under state law, with minimum 4-foot side and rear setbacks and CRC structural compliance.
Hesperia FAQ
Can I live in a tiny home on wheels in Hesperia?
No. Recreational vehicles do not qualify as accessory dwelling units under Hesperia MC §16.12.360(E)(2). To legally live in a tiny home in Hesperia, it must be permanently sited, on a foundation, and permitted as an ADU or a manufactured home under California Health & Safety Code §18007.
How tall can a detached tiny home (ADU) be in Hesperia?
16 feet for a standard detached ADU under §16.12.360(E)(8), or up to 18 feet if located within one-half mile walking distance of a major transit stop, plus up to 2 additional feet to match the roof pitch of the primary home.
Can I Airbnb my Hesperia ADU?
No. Hesperia MC §16.12.360(D)(7) prohibits ADU rentals for terms shorter than 30 consecutive days, so vacation rental and short-term rental use of an ADU is not allowed regardless of platform.
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