Michigan Residential Code Tiny House Appendix Q Statewide Standards

Tiny houses on permanent foundations are regulated as single-family dwellings under the Michigan Residential Code, adopted under MCL 125.1504 of the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Construction Code Act. Michigan has incorporated International Residential Code Appendix Q, which provides relaxed ceiling height, loft, ladder, and emergency egress standards for dwellings 400 square feet or less. Tiny houses on wheels are regulated as recreational vehicles or park trailers under separate federal HUD or ANSI standards and generally cannot serve as permanent dwellings absent local zoning approval. Local zoning ordinances determine minimum dwelling size, lot requirements, and whether tiny homes are permitted in specific districts, but construction standards remain statewide.

Construction without permits violates MCL 125.1512; occupancy without certificate of occupancy bars lawful habitation.