Portland has the easiest backyard tiny home rules on the West Coast

If you live in Portland, you have one of the easiest paths in the country to add a tiny home in your yard. A Park Model RV on wheels fits the city rules, avoids heavy building permits, and can create real, comfortable housing in your backyard.

People use these backyard homes for things like:

• A comfortable spot for aging parents or family members

• A place for adult kids who want independence but still be close

• A home office or studio that can also double as guest space

• Downsizing into the tiny home and renting out the main house

• A long-term rental to help offset the mortgage

This guide gives a quick overview of what Portland allows, what hookups you will need, and how our full Buyer’s Guide can walk you through the entire process from first questions to move in.

What Portland Allows

Portland treats tiny homes on wheels and Park Model RVs as occupied recreational vehicles, not ADUs. That is what makes this path so much easier.

Full overview of Portland’s rules for occupied RVs and tiny homes on wheels.

Here are the basics in plain language:

• One home on wheels per lot
  You can host one occupied RV or tiny home on wheels on a developed residential lot that already has a house, attached house, or manufactured home.

• Behind the main house
  The home on wheels must be parked behind the front face of the primary house, not in the front yard.

• Stays mobile
  The wheels stay on, and the home remains on its chassis. You level it on blocks or piers and can add skirting to clean up the look and protect underneath.

• Not on a vacant lot
  The lot needs an existing main home, and the tiny home on wheels does not count against your normal housing density.

• Long-term living is allowed
  Portland allows long-term occupancy in a tiny home on wheels in your yard, but short-term rentals are not allowed.

• Not an ADU
  This is not a foundation-built ADU. It is an occupied RV built to ANSI A119.5 standards, so you skip the big ADU permit process and system development charges.

Basic RV Hookups You Will Need

Portland’s rules are built around safe, simple RV-style hookups. If your Park Model has plumbing, you will need:

Power

• A dedicated outdoor electrical connection for the home

• This is usually a 50 amp or 100 amp RV-style receptacle on a pedestal or on the main house panel

• Installed by a licensed electrician with the correct breaker and wire size

Water

• A potable water connection, typically a frost-free hose bib or campground-style spigot, located near the home

• A hose rated for drinking water to connect from the spigot to the home

Sewer

• An RV-style sewer tie-in to the main house sewer line, often using a permitted cleanout connection

• Installed by a licensed plumber, so it passes inspection and drains correctly

Gas (if used)

• Most homes use propane or natural gas for things like the range, washer & dryer, or water heater

• In many cases, this is done with a larger stationary propane tank (above-ground or buried) that a gas company fills on-site

If you work with us, we can share the typical hookup diagrams and connect you to contractors who already know what these homes need.

Why This Path Works So Well In Portland

Portland is one of the few cities where tiny homes on wheels are clearly allowed as legal housing in backyards, as long as you follow the rules. Sightline Institute+1

That means:

• Faster setup and lower cost
  You are not waiting on a full ADU permit set or paying for a big foundation. Most people just add RV hookups, prepare a pad, and are ready for delivery.

• Real flexibility
  You can host family, create a long-term rental, help aging parents, or downsize into a tiny home and rent out your main house.

• A clear path, not a loophole
  This is an established, legal option in Portland, supported by specific city rules for occupied RVs and tiny homes on wheels.

How Our Buyer’s Guide Fits In

If you want the full journey mapped out, our Buyer’s Guide brings all the pieces together so you are not guessing.

Inside the Buyer’s Guide, you will find:

• Where Park Model RVs are allowed and how to confirm zoning for your property

• How to choose the right model and floor plan for how you plan to use it

• Financing basics and timelines

• Site preparation, delivery, setup, and utility hookups

• Insurance basics and how to talk to an agent

• Warranty, service, and long-term care of your home

Use this blog post as the Portland specific overview, then use the Buyer’s Guide as your detailed roadmap.

Your Path To A Backyard Tiny Home In Portland

Here is the simple big picture:

1. Confirm zoning and fit
   Make sure your lot qualifies for an occupied RV or tiny home on wheels in your zone, and that you have space for delivery and placement.

2. Visit the lot and choose your home
   Schedule a tour at NW Tiny Homes to walk through models, compare layouts, and pick the size and floor plan that fits your needs and your property.

3. Lock in financing or payment
   Pay in cash or work with financing such as 21st Mortgage for a Park Model RV style loan.

4. Plan utilities and pad prep
   Coordinate an electrician and plumber to install your RV style power, water, and sewer connections, plus a gravel or concrete pad.

5. Schedule delivery and setup
   We coordinate with transport, help place the home, and review any warranty items once it is on site.

6. Move in or host long-term
   Once hookups and insurance are in place, you or your tenant can settle in and enjoy the new space.

Mini FAQ

Is this an ADU?
No. It is an occupied RV or Park Model RV on wheels. That is what keeps the process faster and simpler than a traditional ADU.

Can I remove the wheels?
No. The wheels should stay on. You level the home on blocks or piers, then add skirting for a clean, finished look.

Can I rent it out?
Yes, long term rentals are allowed. Portland does not allow tiny homes on wheels to be used as short-term rentals.

Do I need a big building permit?
No. You are following the city’s rules for occupied RVs and tiny homes on wheels, not building a new house. You will still need permits for utility work where required, but not a full ADU permit set.

Bottom Line

Portland has created a clear, realistic path for homeowners to add housing in their backyards with a Park Model RV on wheels. With basic RV hookups, the right placement on your lot, and a little planning up front, you can add a comfortable, code-aware home without the complexity of a custom ADU project.

If you want the full step-by-step breakdown, tap here to view our Buyer’s Guide, or reach out to our team and we will help you every step of the way.