Tiny Homes in RV Parks and Tiny Home Communities in Southern California
Updated: 14 hours ago
Not every tiny home buyer owns land. For many people, the dream is to place a tiny home in an RV park or a tiny home community where the utilities, parking and neighbors are already in place. Southern California has many parks to choose from, from coastal campgrounds to inland resorts.
Here is how it works in California and what to know before you move in.
HOW CALIFORNIA TREATS TINY HOMES IN PARKS
In California, RV parks fall under the state's Special Occupancy Parks rules. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) explains what counts as a special occupancy park: land with two or more spaces for RVs, tents or cabins held out for rent.
Many tiny homes in parks are classified as park trailers, also called park model RVs. Under California Health and Safety Code section 18009.3, a park trailer:
Has 400 square feet or less of floor area, not counting a qualifying loft
Is no more than 14 feet wide
Is built on a single chassis
Is designed for recreational or seasonal use
HCD's tiny homes bulletin adds that park trailers are built to ANSI standards and generally may be occupied in mobile home parks or special occupancy parks.
DIFFERENT FROM A BACKYARD TINY HOME
San Diego County's new tiny home on wheels rules are for private lots. The County notes that those rules do not apply to park trailers in mobile home parks or RV parks, which follow the park rules instead.
LONG-TERM STAYS: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
California's Recreational Vehicle Park Occupancy Law sets different protections depending on how long you stay. Under the law's definitions:
A tenant is someone who has occupied a space for more than 30 days in a row.
A resident is a tenant who has occupied a space for nine months or more, which brings stronger protections.
Some parks limit how long you can stay or require a written rental agreement for stays over 30 days. Always read the agreement before you move in.
TINY HOME COMMUNITIES
Tiny home communities are a growing option. Some are RV parks that welcome tiny homes. Others are small groups of homes on private land that follow local zoning rules for the number of homes allowed. Every community sets its own rules for home size, looks and length of stay.
QUESTIONS TO ASK A PARK BEFORE YOU SIGN
Do you accept tiny homes or park models, and is there a size or age limit?
Is there a minimum or maximum length of stay?
What is the monthly rent, and what utilities are included?
What electrical service does each space have? (Our homes use a 50-amp system.)
Are there rules about decks, skirting, sheds or landscaping?
Can the home stay year-round?
How do you handle guests, pets and parking?
BUILDING A TINY HOME FOR PARK LIVING
If you plan to live in a park, size and setup matter. A home that fits the park's space, uses its hookups and is built to ANSI standards will make approval much easier. Our Alpine and Mammoth models can be sized and configured around the park you choose, and each one is quoted after a quick Buyers Application, which takes 30 seconds.
Tell us about the park you have in mind on your Buyers Application, and we will design around its rules.
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READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
The fastest way to get a real answer for your project is to fill out our free Buyers Application. Tell us about your property, your timeline and the home you have in mind, and we will follow up with next steps.
Prefer to talk it through? Call Zen Tiny Homes at 760-492-0742.
Ready to start? Apply in 30 seconds.
