Tiny Homes on Wheels

A tiny home on wheels (THOW) is a specific type of nonmotorized recreational vehicle called a park trailer as defined in California Health and Safety Code (HSC) 18009.3. It is a house on a trailer that can be towed on public roads with a special permit from the DMV and is registered annually as a park trailer with the DMV. They are no larger than 400 square feet and no taller than 14 feet. Generally, they are designed to look like a tiny house using various design and materials options. They are constructed in compliance with an established national standard for park trailers (ANSI-A119.5 Park Model RV Standard) and inspected and certified by a qualified inspector. They can be purchased from a certified manufacturer or they could be constructed by an owner builder on site under the supervision of a qualified inspection agency. The THOW would come with a certification documenting the THOW meets the accepted standard for park trailers. For this type of structure, the local building inspector would be verifying the unit has the third-party certification and would only be inspecting the on-site installation according to the approved site plan and connection to utilities.

Tiny homes have the potential to provide a small, flexible, and relatively low cost housing option for residents in Santa Cruz County.

One is allowed per parcel.

The maximum size is as required to allow for towing on public roadways, but not to exceed 400 square feet.

THOWs require a permit just like any other new house or accessory dwelling unit in the County. The permit must be renewed with the County every five years. In addition, THOWs must be registered annually with the DMV and all required annual registration fees shall be paid, including the Vehicle License Fee. Failure to register and pay all DMV fees annually shall cause the THOW permit to expire.

The THOW shall be connected to the approved water source and sewage disposal facility (sewer or septic system) in compliance with the latest edition of the California Plumbing Code and local ordinance. Composting toilets are not allowed as an alternative to a fully compliant onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS aka septic system). A property owner may choose to install a composting toilet but this would be in addition to the requirement for connection to a fully compliant OWTS or connection to a public sewer.

The THOW shall be connected to a source of electricity in compliance with the latest edition of the California Electrical Code and local ordinance. If not connected to the local electric utility power source, an off-grid system may be used that is designed to provide sufficient power based on the expected loads. All off-grid systems shall include solar panels and battery storage. Within the Urban and Rural Service Lines a THOW shall not rely on a generator as a primary or stand-by source of electric power. Outside the Urban and Rural Service Lines a THOW shall not rely on a generator as a primary source of electric power and may include provisions for connection to a generator and meet all requirements of the California Electrical Code and local ordinance. Outside the Urban and Rural Service Lines, the generator shall be a stationary emergency stand-by generator as defined in, and in compliance with all provisions of, SCCC 13.15 Noise Planning.

No, THOWs may not be located on a driveway. The THOW parking pad shall be accessible by a path of travel such that the THOW is towable onto and off the property.

Yes, a THOW must incorporate design features and materials typically used for houses, such as siding or roofing materials, pitched roofs, eaves, residential windows, and window trim. Wheels must have skirting. Other design requirements apply, including Wildland Urban Interface requirements; please read the ordinance.

If the THOW functions as the primary unit on the parcel, a residential fire sprinkler system is required just like any other new house in the County.

No. Residential structures that may be allowed under certain circumstances in flood hazard areas are required to be elevated on a specially designed foundation such that the lowest floor is elevated above the anticipated level of flooding. The THOW regulations require the wheels to remain on the THOW while parked on the parking pad, which means the THOW cannot be elevated to comply with the requirement of the Floodplain Regulations. Information on flood hazards and how to determine if your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) can be found on the County website at this link.