Ohio Residential Code Governs Tiny Home Construction

Ohio adopted the Residential Code of Ohio with Appendix Q for tiny homes, applying statewide to dwellings 400 square feet or less excluding lofts. The code permits reduced ceiling heights (6'8" minimum), ladder access to lofts, and emergency egress windows from lofts. Tiny homes on wheels are regulated as RVs under ORC 4501 and cannot be permanently occupied as dwellings under state code. Local zoning still controls minimum dwelling size and where tiny homes may be sited.

Occupying a non-compliant tiny home as a permanent dwelling can trigger condemnation under ORC 3781.10.