Tag: tiny house village

The Ultimate List Of Tiny Home Communities

The Ultimate List Of Tiny Home Communities

One of the main challenges of living in a tiny home is finding a place where you can settle it either temporarily or permanently. Fortunately, numerous tiny home communities in the country were built to accommodate these alternative housing. But, where are these tiny house villages, exactly?

Many of the tiny house communities are located in states that are known to be friendlier to the Tiny House Movement. Jurisdictions and townships that have experienced housing crisis are also much more open to establishing a tiny house village in their public lands. 

Tiny houses became a popular housing alternative right after the global financial crisis of 2006. During that time, small homes became a temporary shelter to the thousands of homeless people who were affected by the economic upheaval in the US.

Tiny Home Communities

Where are Tiny Home Communities?

According to estimates of tiny home manufacturers, there are roughly 10,000 to 12,000 tiny homes across the country. However, they expect this number to grow exponentially as more people are exposed to the Tiny House Movement. 

Below are some of the tiny house communities in the US. 

1. LuxTiny- Lakeside, Arizona

Location: 1412 Amanda Dr, Lakeside, AZ 85929

Nestled just 15 minutes from the nearby ski slopes, LuxTiny has access to forests, lakes, and hiking trails. This six-acre tiny house community has 45 spaces and is the perfect temporary residence when you are vacationing in Arizona. The famous Scott’s Reservoir is also just minutes away from the site. 

The place also accepts permanent and temporary residence. You can also lease a plot or even a ready-made tiny house for your convenience. The fee covers sewerage, rubbish collection, and water. Moreover, you can also fish in the nearby Rainbow Lake.

2. Lemon Cove Village- Sequoia National Park, California

Location: 32075 Sierra Dr, Lemon Cove, CA

If you ever find yourself visiting the Sequoia National Park while in a tiny mobile house, then you shouldn’t worry about where to park your home. The Lemon Cove Village is a popular RV park and campground that also accepts tiny houses. 

This village of sorts is located at the base of the park and is only 25 miles away from Sequoia National Park and the nearby Kings Canyon National Park. You can also do tons of activities in the area such as hiking, water rafting, fishing, and even shopping in the town of Lemon Cove.

Here is a helpful Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park map to help you navigate the area.

3. Whispering Aspen- Fairplay, Colorado

Location: 359 Fuller Drive Fairplay, CO 80440

Encircled by the renowned Mosquito Mountain Range, Whispering Aspen is half an hour away from Breckenridge– a famous ski destination. The community is a mix of full-time residents and a few renters. 

This tiny house community is also a perfect place to spend warmer seasons thanks to a variety of nature activities. Some of the things you can do here are ATV-offroading, horseback riding, hiking, and climbing.

Guests can also choose to rent a variety of living spaces such as a tiny house on wheels, Recreational Vehicles, and cabins. It also has its own recreational area, hot tubs, and fully-equipped clubhouse. 

4. Riverview at Cleora- Salida, Colorado

Location: County Road 102. Salida, CO

Developed by Sprout Tiny Homes, a leading designer of tiny houses, Riverview sits on a 19 acre of land that includes the Arkansas River frontage. The spot is perfect for nature lovers and adventurists alike. Currently, the development has space for 200 tiny homes on wheels.

The Riverview grounds also have its own management office, catering kitchen, a restaurant, and even exercise facilities. 

5. WeeCasa- Lyons, Colorado

Location: 501 W Main St, Lyons, CO 80540

According to its developer, the WeeCasa is the world’s biggest tiny home resort. The place acts as a gateway to the Rockies and all of its nature-based activities. Lyons and the surrounding areas are famous for its nature trails, water sports, mountain biking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. 

The community started as a partnership of neighbors who were recovering from a major flood in 2013. There are several small house units you can choose from to rent on a per night basis. Depending on the season, you can even experience different music festivals, brewery tours, and art and culture activities. 

beautiful tiny house village

6. Orlando Lakefront Community- Orlando, Florida

Location: 3405 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804

Situated near the majestic Orlando Lake, this tiny home village has some of the gorgeous small dwellings for rent. The park currently has 50 spaces for lease, half of which already has a small house in place. The developer can also get your own customized tiny home on wheels once you decide to settle in.

The community is also a mix of retirees and young professionals who want to enjoy the sun and lake. Moreover, the place is also a place where mobile tiny home owners can legally park. 

You also won’t run out of things to do in this area as there are nearby tourist attractions and even a theme park nearby. Residents can also enjoy numerous amenities such as a green park, fishing, and boat docks.

7. Green Bridge Farm- Effingham County, Georgia

Location: 1302 Zittrouer Rd, Guyton, GA 31312

If you want to settle your tiny home close to nature, then Green Bridge Farm is the right place for you. This eco-friendly development covers 25 wooded acres and has 1.2-acre meant for building your own tiny house. 

True to being sustainable, the place also has four acres of community vegetable garden and even a fruit orchard. While gardening is not mandatory for its residents, everyone is welcome to maintain and plant their crops here. 

You can own a pre-built unit here for only $45,0000. Many of the tiny house units are built over a trailer to exempt them from a building permit. Furthermore, most of the houses were constructed using recycled materials and even has solar panels. 

8. The Shire Village- Mountaintown, Ellijay, Georgia

Location: 772 Heritage Way, Ellijay, GA 30540

Currently, the largest tiny home village in the southeast US, the Shire Village, is situated on a 50- acres mountain property in Northern Georgia. It is among the most popular retreat areas for tiny house enthusiasts who are also outdoor lovers. 

Shire Village also has access to a nearby river and lake. Furthermore, the developer offers customized tiny house units that you can settle on a one-acre lot. 

9. Airstream Village- Las Vegas, Nevada 

Location: N 11th St & Fremont St; Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

If you’ve ever been to downtown Las Vegas, then you must head to the Airstream Village. Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh lives in one of the trailers of this Burning Man-inspired tech-savvy trailer park. Tiny home owners are also welcome to this village.

The popular airstream trailer, which measures 240-square-feet, can be rented for $1,200 a month. The rent includes utilities, WiFi, and several amenities that you can only get in this trailer park. They also have 140-square-feet tiny homes developed by Tumbleweed small houses in this facility.  

10. Second Wind- Ithaca, New York

Location: 1435 Elmira Rd, Newfield, NY 14867

Officially called Second Wind Cottages, this collection of tiny houses provide shelter for the homeless. Started by Carmen Guidi, the village is situated on a seven-acre land that currently houses 21 dwelling units. 

However, the cottages are only for male occupants. Occupants are not necessarily required to pay rent, but any fees they can afford to give is welcome. Additionally, the complex also has its food pantry, exercise equipment, laundry facilities, and free counseling. 

tiny home complex

11. Cedar Springs Tiny Village- New Paris, Ohio

Location: 300 Cedar Springs Rd, New Paris, OH 45347

This tiny home village got its name from the mature cedar trees that surround the area. Situated in a settlement with a magnificent lakefront, Cedar Springs is the perfect vacation and retirement spot. 

The village was brought to life thanks to a collaboration of Gerald Brubaker and Modern Tiny Living. The community comes with several amenities such as private parking, a community garden. It even has its recycling program to make everything sustainable.  

Consequently, the developer can also provide a tiny built-in house for those who want to settle permanently in the area. One of its popular models, the Clover, costs $89,000. For that price, the unit comes with a lapped smart siding, the sturdy exterior with steel roof, and an electric water heater. 

12. Caravan Tiny House Hotel- Portland, Oregon

Location: 5009 NE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97211

Dubbed as the pioneering tiny house hotel, the Caravan is a model of what a modern small house community should look like. However, unlike most of the places in this list, this tiny house hotel only accepts temporary residences. 

Visitors can choose to book any of its five tiny home models. Each unit has one bedroom and one bathroom and can accommodate three to four people. The Caravan also does tours wherein guests can drive around in a tiny home for a completely minimalist lifestyle experience. 

Rates during weekday range from $125 to $135, while weekend prices are between $145 and $155 depending on the season. Holiday and spring rates are at $185 per night. 

13. Emerald Village- Eugene, Oregon

Location: 25 N. Polk St. 97402 Eugene, OR 97402

These self-managed tiny house communities were meant to provide safe housing for people who are transitioning to a more permanent living setup. Developed by SquareOne Villages, the place offers affordable micro-housing options. 

It currently has 22 tiny house units, which are all built on a slab foundation. Each dwelling has a 160 to 228 square feet area. The houses also have a living room, dining room, sleeping quarters, kitchenette, and bathroom. 

14. Dignity Village- Portland, Oregon

Location: 9401 NE Sunderland Ave, Portland, OR 97211

This city-recognized encampment of homeless people is now a tiny home community of sorts. Portland recently declared it as a “ transitional housing campground,” as defined by the city code. The village also has electricity and numerous facilities for cooking, sanitary, and social functions. 

Almost anyone can become a part of this tiny home community provided they abide by the village’s basic rules. However, no children are allowed in the community because past criminal convictions do not prevent someone from being a member. 

15. Tiny Estates- Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Location: 867 Schwanger Rd, Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Hollywood celebrity and comedian Kevin Hart owns a tiny house in this tiny house village. He even curated the unit in Herald Square in NYC through a partnership with booking.com. It’s now settled at Tiny Houses and can be rented for a few hundred dollars a night.

Tiny Estates is situated in a 14-acre property that has at least 25 small houses on site. The management also allows people to bring their own tiny houses into the area or rent the available units.

mobile tiny homes

16. Lake Walk Tiny Home Community- Greer, South Carolina

Location: 2901-2983 N Hwy 101, Greer, SC 29651

Nestled near the shores of Lake Cunningham in the town of Greer in South Carolina, this unique tiny home community is a perfect vacation and retirement spot. Permanent and temporary residents here can live a simpler and more flexible lifestyle.

The community currently offers four different styles of micro houses, with each measuring under 400 square feet. Additionally, the place has green zones and a common area next to the lake. It is the ideal place for people who love boating, fishing, or just being with nature. 

One of its best units is the 399-square foot The Alexander, which features twin bunks, a large loft, and a downstairs bedroom. 

17. Community First!- Austin, Texas

Location: 9301 Hog Eye Rd Suite 950, Austin, TX 78724

Located just 10 miles northeast of Austin, this $18-million tiny house village is operated by a faith-based nonprofit. Community First! is a collection of 100 RVs, 20 cottages, and 140 micro homes that offer affordable housing for the chronically homeless and disabled. 

The village covers 27-acres of land, which also has its community market, gardens, walking trails, medical facility, and wireless Internet. Furthermore, it has its bed and breakfast for visitors and has a nearby Capital Metro bus stop. Currently, there are about 200-residents in the tiny house community, including 45 missionaries. 

18. Vintage Grace- Yantis, Texas

Location: 136 N. Main Street, Yantis, TX 75497

A little east of Dallas lies the Instagrammable tiny house village of Vintage Grace. This communal space is comprised of 25 wooded acres of land that is surrounded by four ponds. Currently, there are over 55 tiny homes that are for lease.

Furthermore, the village also has its own community garden and communal center. It also has that laid back countryside ambiance that its developer said can “rejuvenate your spirit.” 

19. Quixote Village- Olympia, Washington

Location: 3350 Mottman Rd SW ​Olympia, WA 98512

This one’s self-governing tent camp meant for the homeless of Olympia has become a full-blown tiny home community. Quixote village now has over 30 small houses that were built using donation money. 

The original tiny home village opened its doors on December 24, 2013, and accommodated the homeless folks in Thurston County. Today, the Quixote Community also has micro house villages for veterans in Orting and Shelton. 

20. Boneyard Studios- Washington, D.C.

Location: 925 Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest Washington, D.C.

This village was established in 2012 and is one of the pioneers of a tiny house community. It started as a cooperative project on an old alley. Over the years, its founders Brian Levy and Lee Pera, have hosted numerous events to promote the Tiny House Movement.

They used to have two tiny homes for rent– the Matchbox, a 140-square-foot abode, and the Pera House, a 145-square foot dwelling. In 2014, the community had to be closed because of new zoning laws in the area. However, the uninhabited units are still there to this day to showcase the humble beginnings of tiny homes. 

21. Occupy Madison Village- Madison, Wisconsin

Location: 304 N Third St, Madison, WI 53704

Formed in 2011 and inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, this tiny house village is composed of 99-square foot dwellings. What started as a homeless encampment on East Washington Avenue is now a small community.

 Many of the housing units here are built through volunteer labor and costs around $4,500 each. Today, the village includes a makeshift kitchen, communal bathrooms, gardens, and a woodshop wares where the locals sell their goods. 

tiny homes in the us

These are just some of the tiny house communities we know of as the time of writing. There are dozens of other tiny house villages which were not mentioned in this article because they are still on the initial stages of being certified as a legal tiny home community. 

Are There Any Tiny Home Communities in Canada?

The world got word of the Tiny House Movement when Sarah Susanka released her book “The Not So Big House” in 1998. According to her, house developers and homeowners should “build better, not bigger.”

A couple of years later, Jay Shafer also released “The Small House Book,” where he shares his thoughts and journey of building a tiny home. From there, the Tiny House Movement snowballed into what it is today. According to tiny house developers, there are currently between 12,000 to 15,000 small houses in the U.S.

About a few years back, Canada has also picked up on this new housing trend. While there are not as many as those in the US, the Maple nation also has a few tiny house communities. 

Below are some of these tiny house villages:

  1. Bluegrass Meadows Micro Village located at 5775 Har-Lee’s Place Road, Terrace, BC V8G 0A2
  2. Homes for Heroes Village located at 2424 4 St SW #900, Calgary, AB T2S 2T4

Meanwhile, many other tiny house communities are still in the planning phase. For example, Tiny Homes Simply Home Community is planning to set up in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Advantages of Living in Tiny Home Communities

There are numerous living arrangements you can do if you live in a tiny home. You can drive it around and stop in places where it’s legal to park, such as campsites, RV parks, and in some states in private land. Or you can settle your unit in your backyard as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

small house village

However, of all the places where you can build or park your tiny home, nothing beats being in a tiny home community. There is something about living with like-minded people that makes it irreplaceable.

Aside from that, there are also several benefits to living in a tiny house village, such as:

1. Sustainability

TIny house villages are often built on a large piece of land. For this reason, a lot of them have a community garden where you can plant and harvest fruits and vegetables. Growing your crops in these lands can help you lower your food costs.

Additionally, most tiny house communities are also nestled near forests or lakes. Forest provides different resources such as herbal plants and wood. Meanwhile, ponds can be a good source of fish and even water activities.  

2. Amenities

Developers of the new tiny home communities often add numerous facilities in their properties to make it more attractive. Aside from sewerage, power, and water, you can also gain access to recreational facilities like a basketball court.

Some tiny house villages even go the distance by creating their events and bazaars. Moreover, transitional little house communities often have shops where locals can sell their crafts and products to their visitors. 

3. Security

Another advantage of living in a tiny house village is it adds a layer of protection among its inhabitants. The more people living around, the tighter its security against thieves and robbers gets. This is doubly true if you live in a community that looks out for one another. 

Tiny house villages also bring out the communal values that you usually don’t get when living in an apartment or a suburb. Because every resident gets to interact with their neighbors, their bonds get stronger. Hence, it’s common for people here to lend a hand to one another. 

4. Community Activities

Residing in a tiny home community also means being part of a larger group. Hence, there are often more community activities you can join. The best part of it is that many of these events, such as free movie viewing, doesn’t require you to spend money.

You can also do numerous activities with other people, such as group hikes or building tables for a picnic area. In short, it allows you to connect with people and help out for the good of everyone in the community. 

Cost of Living in Tiny Home Communities

Living in a tiny home community can be cheap or expensive, depending on your preference. If you are renting out a small house unit, it can cost you a few hundred dollars a month, depending on your landlord.

tiny house village

However, you can bring down the rental cost if you own a tiny mobile home. In this scenario, you only have to pay for the use of a vacant lot or parking space. On average, monthly parking fees on tiny home villages are between $50 to $200.

Some tiny home communities also ask additional fees to cover some of the basic homeowner’s services like:

  • Sewerage
  • Cable and Internet Access
  • Waste Disposal
  • Community Kitchen Usage
  • Overall Maintenance

Depending on which tiny home community you are in, these fees can sot you around $100 to $250. Some community developers also include this to your rental prices, while others prefer you pay them separately. 

Conclusion

Tiny home communities are a great place to settle your little dwelling, especially if you are the type who wants to be surrounded by like-minded people. Furthermore, it also gives you that communal spirit of being part of being larger than just yourself or your family. Ultimately, its a village that can bolster not only security but also sustainability. 

Visit these tiny home communities. We recommend this Mountain Duffle Bag to carry all your travel needs.

Related Questions

What are the main challenges of living in a tiny house village?

Many of the tiny house villages in the list are located in areas outside of towns or cities. Hence, it can be quite challenging to commute to the center of a city, especially if you did not own a car. Some villages also don’t have the usual amenities you get from traditional communities such as Internet access and cable TV. 

Is it expensive to live in a tiny house community?

Not necessarily. There are numerous tiny house villages in the country that serves different classes of people. Some communities even let you park on their vacant lots for a meager fee and sometimes for free.

The general rule, however, is that if the tiny house village offers tons of amenities, it’s likely to have a higher lease or rent. Additionally, if the community is near a renowned vacation spot or tourist destination, then it can also increase their fees, especially during the peak seasons.

Exactly Where Can You Park a Tiny Home Legally?

Exactly Where Can You Park a Tiny Home Legally?

Parking sign for tiny homes

Tiny houses are a new housing option that often falls in the grey area of many local laws. With that in mind, is there any place where you can park your unit without breaking the law?

There is no definitive answer to the question, where can you park your tiny home legally? After all, tiny houses, especially those on trailers, can be considered as a temporary residence, an RV, or even both. Consequently, some jurisdictions require tiny homes to follow the building code, while others don’t. 

Furthermore, laws and regulations regarding tiny homes usually differ from one state to another. The difference even goes down as far as the city or town level, which further complicates the issue of parking. 

However, there are still some guidelines you can follow to determine if it’s legal to park your mobile home in a particular area. Thanks to the input of pioneering tiny home owners, we have come up with an article that addresses your parking woes. 

parking a tiny home legally

Can you Park a Tiny Home Anywhere?

Definitely, no. There are only a few places where the law allows you to park a tiny home. One of the reasons is because of the combined size of the trailer and the towing vehicle.

Much like cars and other vehicles, tiny homes also have their parking designations. Often, RV parks allow them to settle in their grounds because their sizes closely resemble RVs. 

It’s also important to note that there are different types of parking depending on the amount spent on the parking space. 

  • Short-term parking may last only for a few hours up to one day. 
  • Long-term parking could last for more than a day up to a few weeks. 
  • Permanent parking has the intention of staying there for a few months and even a few years.

Parking in a spot not designated for recreational vehicles or tiny homes usually results in a stiff fine of $10 or more. The fine often depends on the parking laws of the city or municipality. 

In some states, it is illegal to live in a tiny house permanently. In most cases, it’s unlawful not because there is a specific law against it, but rather the rules are quite unclear how to classify tiny houses. 

Living permanently in an RV or any mobile home is illegal in most states. Most jurisdictions only allow people to dwell in an RV or tiny house on wheels (THOWs) for a couple of weeks up to one month. 

tiny home village parking

Legal Classification of a Tiny Home

To further understand where a tiny home can park, we must first establish how it is classified. Aside from being “small” to meet some of the building codes, tiny houses can also be considered as a home and a trailer cargo.

The treatment of tiny houses also varies depending on the state or jurisdiction. Some states like California, Minnesota, Florida, and Michigan are more lenient about the Tiny House Revolution. 

Generally, there are two classifications of tiny houses — first, tiny house on wheels, which sits on a trailer and can be mobile anytime. Second, small homes that sit on a foundation and is treated as a residential structure and thus follows the building code. 

Below are three classifications of a tiny home which directly affects where you can park the unit:

1. Trailer

In some jurisdictions, tiny houses are often treated simply as trailers or something that is being towed by a vehicle. However, some municipalities or cities have strict guidelines for the dimensions of what can be considered cargo. 

When a tiny home is considered as a trailer cargo, it has to follow the guidelines under the road usage law. Hence, the trailer’s dimension has to be limited to 40-feet long, 8.5-feet wide, and 13.5 feet tall. Furthermore, it must also have other safety devices such as tail lights and turning lights. 

2. Recreational Vehicle

You can register your tiny house as a recreational vehicle and have it reaped the benefits of an RV, including parking. The process usually involves getting a certificate from the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Furthermore, your tiny house will be inspected by a person from the city regulatory board to ensure everything is in place.

You also need to pay a certification fee, which varies from city to city. Once the process is through, your home is no longer just a tiny home that sits on a trailer but technically an RV. The main benefit of RV certification is that you can now park in RV parks with ease by merely showing them the certificate. 

However, there are also disadvantages of registering your tiny house as an RV. For example, you can only live anywhere between two weeks to one month inside an RV.

3. Accessory Dwelling Unit

The easiest way to define an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is that its a smaller housing option within a property. For a tiny home to be considered an ADU, you need to settle it in a property that has a larger traditional house.

However, once you register your tiny house as an ADU, it must be placed in a foundation and comply with the local building code. Furthermore, there are but a few jurisdictions that allow this type of setup.  

One of the loopholes that you can look into the local zoning laws is if they have ADU provisions. Some states also allow tiny houses as ADUs, if a resident of the tiny home is taking care of someone from the primary residence. 

tiny house on a foundation

Best Places Where You Can Park a Tiny Home Legally

1. RV Parks

RV parks are one of the best places to temporarily settle your tiny home. These locations usually have facilities such as water and power that can significantly improve your daily life. In some cases, these places may also have WiFi access and recreational amenities such as swimming pools. 

However, not all RV parks allow tiny homes into their vicinity for several reasons. If you are planning to park your small home unit in an RV park, make sure you check out if they allow it or not. 

Furthermore, very few RV parks allow permanent residence in their vicinity. Often, they only allow tiny homes to park for a few weeks or months. Rents also vary depending on the season that you visit these places. In some areas, parking fees could spike during seasons with lots of tourist activities such as in the spring or summer. 

2. Campgrounds

Some campgrounds allow tiny homes to park within their vicinity, especially if you have an RV certification. However, very few campgrounds offer the same amenities as RV parks. For this reason, campsites are often seen as a temporary parking option. 

tiny house parked near lake

The great thing about parking in campgrounds is it gives you direct access to nature or the closest tourist attraction. Campgrounds also bring a sort of community among people who are currently parked in the area. Here, it’s natural for people to share their stories about travel, current events, and life in general. 

Not all campgrounds, however, are the same. Some camping areas only have necessities such as a well and bonfire area. The general rule is the further the campsite is from the nearest city, the fewer its amenities. 

tiny homes park in campground

3. Private Property You Own

There are a few jurisdictions that allow you to park your tiny home in a piece of land you own. However, there might still be provisions that restrict this type of parking arrangement. For example, some towns only allow parking on private property if the tiny home has a foundation.

In some townships, they may require you to have a septic tank or well within the property. If you plan to live outside of a county, then most township require you to have these structures.

Before you purchase a piece of land or park your unit to the one you already own, do your research first. Look up in the city or municipality’s website for their zoning laws. You can even download some of these documents , but prepare for a long read.

If you don’t want to read the zoning laws, you can contact the town’s office directly and ask for advice. Some jurisdictions also entertain variance, which is a kind of exception for building a “unique” structure.

4. Your Backyard 

Permanently parking a tiny house at your backyard is generally illegal. However, there are several exceptions to this rule. Some jurisdictions have loopholes or provisions that may allow you to pull this off.

For example, some states allow you to register your tiny home as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). However, most jurisdictions only permit such an arrangement if you’re going to live part-time on your tiny house. In some cases, you also need to register your tiny home as an RV so you can take advantage of such loopholes.

Another exception to parking your tiny home in your backyard is if the zoning law has a caregiver provision. Under this stipulation, some jurisdictions allow people to live in a smaller home on the same property if they are taking care of someone in the main household.

Furthermore, some states also allow such an arrangement if the tiny home owner or ADU resident is a property or commercial sitter. In such cases, the residents are employed to secure the business complex or estate. 

5. Tiny House Communities

Over the years, some places have been rezoned to accommodate tiny house owners. From these areas emerged tiny house communities that allow tiny house parking for reasonable prices.

Some tiny house communities also allow renting a piece of land where you can park your small home for months or years, depending on your contract with the owner. Furthermore, most tiny house communities also allow small houses on wheels and those that are built over foundation. 

So far, these communities are the best place to park your tiny home, especially if you intend to stay or reside in the area for an extended period. Many of these communities also have amenities that you can find in RV parks such as power, water, on-site laundry, sewage access, and recreational activities. 

Below are some of the popular tiny house communities in the country:

  • Lemon Cove Village near the Sequoia National Park in California
  • The Sanctuary Minnesota Village in Minnesota
  • Whispering Aspen Village in Colorado
  • Orlando Lakefront in Florida
  • Tony Hsieh.Tiny House Community in Las Vegas

If you want to search for a tiny house community near your area, you can visit TinyHouseCommunity.com. 

tiny house hotel

Other Places Where You Can Temporarily Park a Tiny Home

Surprisingly, other establishments allow you to park your tiny home, albeit only for a short period. Many of these places usually have free parking, but some require some flat or per hour fees. 

1. Friend’s or Relative’s Property

If you register your tiny house on wheels as an RV, you can temporarily park it in a property owned by a relative or friend. Just make sure that you get their consent first before settling your tiny house on their land. 

However, most states only allow this type of arrangement for 3-5 days. Hence, once that period expires, you need to move your tiny home out of their property. If you are traveling around a friend’s area, you may want to inform them in advance of your intention to park in their lot. Just make sure that doing so doesn’t violate any zoning laws. 

Some homeowners also allow RVs and tiny homes to be parked in their property for a fair price. However, before you book the place, make sure that what you are doing isn’t going to violate any local laws or regulations. You can check out properties that allow tiny home parking at these websites:

2. Truck Stops

Truckers aren’t the only ones welcome in these establishments. Tiny homes on wheels and RVs can also park in them and enjoy the different shops around it. Truck stops are also great places to do your basic hygiene care and to stock up on supplies.  

However, because you also need to follow the regulations of the parking spaces that are usually meant for truckers. You also need to be mindful of your surroundings, especially because other large vehicles like oversized rigs and tractor-trailers even stop here. 

Furthermore, make sure you lock the doors of your tiny home and don’t leave any valuable items while you are away from your unit. 

3.Casinos

If your tiny mobile home is on the shorter side and registered as an RV, some casinos will allow you to park in their lot. Las Vegas casinos, for example, enable temporary parking as long as some available spaces or slots can accommodate your rig. 

The NASCAR circuit in Las Vegas also has an RV exclusive parking slots which charge a small fee. However, do take note that these fees can rise, especially during holidays, weekends and if there are events nearby. 

Consequently, not every casino allows tiny homes into their property. Hence, before you park your unit there, make sure to first check with the casino management if such an arrangement is possible. In most cases, RV parking lots are separated from the regular parking spots for smaller vehicles. 

4. Walmart

This might surprise you, but some stores of Walmart allow RVs and in extension, some tiny homes to park in their area. The chances of them allowing such arrangement is better on states that are deemed small home friendly. 

However, some stores are quite strict as to what type or size or RVs their parking lot can accommodate. Regardless, parking at Walmart while you shop is an efficient way of shopping for your supplies. 

To ensure you aren’t violating any rules of a particular Walmart store, ask the management first if they allow such an arrangement. Take note also that most branches only allow short-time parking or until their store closes. 

tiny house parked in RV parking

Where to Find the Best Tiny Home Parking Spots Online?

Whether you are looking for a short term or permanent parking for your tiny home, you can find most of them on the Internet. Many of these websites that post small home parking and communities were also started by people who support the Tiny House Movement. 

Below are some of the websites where you can find your next tiny home parking spot:

1. TryItTiny.com

Originally, TryItTiny is a property listing website which posts tiny homes for rent across the country. In recent years, however, the site has also begun listing properties that can host tiny mobile homes. Among the services offered by these hosts is parking, power, water, and other amenities.

The website also has a minimalistic and classy layout which sticks to how most tiny homes are designed. Furthermore, they also show reviews, ratings, and feedback of past customers about a particular listing. This feature is going to be quite handy when you are trying to make your decision about where to park. 

Furthermore, it also has Google map integration which helps you to navigate the location of the listing. TryItTiny has even listed down the events and celebrations near the host’s site to ensure you won’t be bored while you’re there.

2. TinyFriendly.com

If you want to park in a tiny home community, then look no further than TinyFriendly.com. This website jots down all of the known tiny house communities in the country. Currently, there are over 20 locations on the site, but this could grow more in the coming years.

The cool thing about TinyFriendly is the number of details you can get about a particular tiny home community. Each listing gives a clear description of what you can expect once you live or park in these communities. 

Additionally, it also mentions other opportunities available in the area, such as if there are lots for sale or rent. It also tells readers if they can bring their own tiny home or if they need to rent one. The site also has its own Facebook group where you can reach out to fellow tiny home owners.

However, the website is still relatively new, and the number of listings is only a few. That is quite understandable as there are only 10,000 to 12,000 tiny house units in the US, according to tiny house manufacturers .

3. TinyHomeClassified.com

This online platform was created by GiveBig and GoTiny, two of the known brands in the tiny house space. It’s meant to be a website that caters to the micro-housing community. Here you can find listings of small houses for sale, pre-built homes, and other services related to the industry.

More importantly, the website also has listings of tiny home communities and parking spaces across the country. Consequently, it also listed lands where you can place your tiny home be it on a foundation or still on its trailer.

This online classifieds also has clear photos of the property or land, which you can review before you decide to avail the parking services. However, because tiny homes are a relatively new concept, there are only a few parking spaces listed on the site.

Regardless, TinyHomeClassified is still a great website where you can strike good deals related to tiny homes. They also have a blog page that has a few articles about the Tiny House movement. 

4. MyTinyHouseParking.com

When you are looking for the best parking spots for tiny houses, this website is an excellent online resource. MyTinyHouseParking is part of the Tiny House Network, covers everything related to the Tiny House Movement. 

Here you can find different parking options such as RV parks, tiny house communities, and private parking options. Their listings also have Google map function so you can quickly tell the location of the parking space.

Furthermore, the website also describes in detail the parking space, including the amenities that the management offers. The site also tells you how many lots of spots are still available in the particular parking listing. 

The monthly parking fee for most of the listings here ranges from $225 to $700, which also reflects the average price on most tiny house listing sites.   

5. Craigslist

Craigslist is the largest classified ads website in the US. As such, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to see posts related to tiny house parking. Some homeowners or establishments list their properties here specifically for RV and mobile home parking purposes. 

If you need a place where you can temporarily park your tiny home while visiting a particular area, Craigslist can help. Most of their listings have pictures that can help you determine if that parking spot fits your needs.

However, before you contact the person who posted that listing, makes sure that the jurisdiction allow parking of tiny homes . If the city or township has a website, you can research if the existing zoning laws allow such a setup.

Additionally, you can also check with the lister if their neighbors won’t mind seeing a tiny home parked on their neighborhood. 

family in a parked tiny home

Conclusion 

Finding a place where you can legally park your tiny house can be quite challenging, especially for new owners. Fortunately, the Tiny House Movement is slowly gaining traction and support from different parts of the country. With this renewed interest in tiny houses, many parking solutions are coming out of the woodwork. 

We hope that this article has helped you understand where you can park your mobile tiny home without having to deal with the law. 

Related Questions

How much does it cost to park a tiny home?

Tiny home parking fees can vary depending on the period you are going to use the spot, the area it is in, and the time of the year. Short-term parking may cost around $10-12, which lasts only a day. Meanwhile, monthly rents on tiny home communities range between $600 to $1,200 depending on the amenities within the facility.

Can I put my tiny house on my property?

Yes, but there are some rules you need to follow, depending on how it is classified in your jurisdiction. If it’s an ADU, then you have to comply with the building code and zoning laws in your area. However, if you register it as an RV, you may not live in it for a long time, and it needs to be next to temporary residential housing. 

Why are tiny houses illegal in some states?

The idea of a tiny home is entirely new, and legislation in some states hasn’t caught up with this development. Hence, it is quite difficult to regulate them if the local government will use the building codes and zoning laws meant for larger traditional housing options. Furthermore, the design of tiny homes sometimes doesn’t comply with the safety provisions of residential building code.