Where Can I Put a Park Model RV Tiny Home?
Good news: you have more options than most people think. A park model RV tiny home can go in a backyard, on your own land, on family property, at a friend's place, in a tiny home community, in an RV park, or in a mobile home park.
Here is a quick tour of each one, who it tends to fit, and the few things worth checking before your home arrives. These options work almost anywhere in the country. The Northwest is our specialty, so you will find a few local tips along the way.
- Backyards and private land
- Parks and communities
- How zoning works
- What your spot needs
- Common questions
Putting a park model RV tiny home on private property
Your land or someone else's. On private property, your city or county decides what is allowed, so that is the first call to make.
Your backyard
Already have a house? The park model goes behind it or beside it and connects to the same utilities. It is the most popular setup our customers choose.
- Aging parents
- Grown kids
Your own land
Got acreage or a rural lot? A park model can be your home there, or your place to live while you build a house. Rules for land with no house on it vary the most, so start with a quick call to the county.
- Living mortgage-free
- Building later
Family property
A parent's acreage or your grown kid's lot. Plenty of families do this: Mom moves in out back, close enough to help, with her own front door. The landowner's local rules apply, and it helps to agree early on who covers what.
- Caring for a parent
- Young adults
A friend's place or a rented spot
No land? Rent a spot. Friends and listings on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist often have room for one more home, with power nearby. Ask the owner whether their county allows it, and agree on rent, utilities, and how long you plan to stay.
- No land needed
- Living mortgage-free
Parks and communities that welcome park models
The land is already set up for homes like yours, so the park's own rules are what you check. Hookups are usually waiting at the site, which keeps setup simple.
Tiny home communities
Neighborhoods built for homes like ours. You own the home, lease the lot, and live next to people who chose the same way of living. They are popular, so some have a waitlist.
- Community
- Downsizing
Long-term RV parks
The easiest spots to find, and many welcome park models for long stays. Ask about site size, how long residents can stay, and any setup rules.
Browse our tiny home and RV community list
- Quick to find
- Hookups ready
Mobile home parks
Many mobile home parks accept park models, and some are 55 and older, which can be a great fit for a parent. Each park sets its own rules, so ask first.
- Settled neighborhoods
- 55+ options
How zoning works for a park model RV tiny home
Every place is a little different
On private land, your city or county makes the call. Some say yes outright, some say yes with a few conditions, and a few say no. A quick email to your planning department gets you a clear answer.
Time limits are a grey area
Some counties limit how long someone can live in an RV on private land. Enforcement varies a lot from place to place. We are finding many counties are pretty relaxed about it, and it usually only comes up when a neighbor complains, which is rare. A friendly heads-up to the neighbors goes a long way.
ADUs in Washington, occupied RVs in other places
Across Washington, park models are being approved as ADUs. Your city may have its own requirements for how the home is set and how the utilities connect. In other places, park models are allowed as occupied RVs, and that varies a lot because every county is different. Our zoning page walks you through it, and your local planning department can help with the details.
Pro tip: when you talk to the planning department, call it a "Park Model RV built to ANSI A119.5." "Tiny home" can mean a lot of things, and the exact name points them to the right rules.
What your spot needs
Wherever your home lands, the setup is the same few things.
Pick a home that fits your spot
Every park model RV tiny home we sell is under 400 square feet, not counting the loft or covered porch. Our homes run 26 to 35 feet long and 11 to 15 feet wide, so there is a size for tight backyards and roomy lots alike. Measure your spot, then see what fits.
Common questions
Can I put a park model RV tiny home in my backyard?
In a lot of places, yes. Many cities and counties allow one behind or beside an existing house, either as an RV or as an ADU. Check with your city or county to see which path they use. Our Zoning Guide makes that easy.
Can I put one on land with no house on it?
Sometimes. Rules for bare land vary the most. Some counties allow it, some offer a permit to live in it while you build a house, and some set time limits. Your county planning department can tell you what applies to your land.
Can I put one on a friend's or family member's property?
Yes, as long as that property's local rules allow it. Lots of our customers do this, especially families bringing a parent closer to home.
Do RV parks allow park model RV tiny homes?
Many long-term RV parks do. Ask about site size, how long residents can stay, and any setup rules. Our tiny home and RV community list is a good place to start.
Can I live in a park model RV tiny home full time?
Yes, in many places. It depends on the local rules where the home sits. Tiny home communities and long-term RV parks are set up for it, and many cities and counties allow it on private property.
Can I buy one if I don't own land?
Yes. The home is titled as an RV, separate from the land, so it can live in a park, a community, or on someone else's property.
Do you sell land or lots?
We don't. We sell new park model RV tiny homes. Most of our customers place theirs on their own land, on family property, or in a park or community.
Do you deliver outside the Northwest?
Yes. We deliver across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, and the rest of the West, and anywhere in the U.S. on request. Transport costs climb with distance, and our delivery page has the details.
Ready to find your spot?
Start with our Zoning Guide, then come walk through a home. Both lots are open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 6pm.
New to park models? Start with the Buyer's Guide.
Zoning and park rules vary by location and change over time, so confirm with your local planning department or the park before you buy. NW Tiny Homes cannot guarantee placement or approval. Read our Regulatory and Placement Disclaimer.
