Texas Statewide Rule
Texas Regulates Factory-Built Tiny Homes as Manufactured Housing
Key Facts
- Statute
- Occupations Code Ch. 1201
- Size threshold
- 320 sq ft = manufactured home
- Agency
- TDHCA Manufactured Housing Division
- Standard
- Federal HUD code + Texas seal
- Local reclassification
- Barred by Sec. 1201.004
Summary
Texas has no tiny-home-specific statute. Any transportable, chassis-mounted dwelling that reaches 320 square feet is manufactured housing under Occupations Code Chapter 1201, built to federal HUD standards and sealed and licensed statewide by the Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Placement stays local.
(20) "Mobile home": (A) means a structure: ... (v) in the traveling mode, at least eight body feet in width or at least 40 body feet in length or, when erected on site, at least 320 square feet ... Sec. 1201.004. DEFINITIONS BINDING. The definitions of "mobile home," "HUD-code manufactured home," and "manufactured housing" provided by Section 1201.003 are binding as a matter of law on each person and agency in this state, including a home-rule municipality or other political subdivision.
Full Breakdown
Occupations Code Section 1201.003 defines a mobile or manufactured home as a transportable structure on a permanent chassis that is at least eight body feet wide, 40 body feet long, or 320 square feet when erected on site. Post-1976 units must meet the federal HUD construction code and carry the HUD label plus a Texas seal, and TDHCA licenses the manufacturer, retailer, and installer. Section 1201.004 makes these definitions binding on every home-rule city and political subdivision, so a factory-built tiny home cannot be reclassified locally. Site-built tiny homes and where any tiny home may be parked or placed remain governed by local building code and zoning.
Violations & Penalties
Selling or installing a HUD-code manufactured home without the required TDHCA license or state seal exposes the manufacturer, retailer, or installer to administrative penalties, license revocation, and orders to correct or remove the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tiny home on wheels legal in Texas?
Does Texas set where I can place a tiny home?
Sources
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.