Buyer’s Guide
At NW Tiny Homes, our goal is to make the Park Model RV Tiny Home process clear, simple, and exciting. This Buyer’s Guide is your roadmap from first questions to move-in day, with everything in one place so you always know what comes next.
Inside, you will find straightforward info on:
Where Park Model RVs are allowed and how to research your property
Choosing the right model and options for how you plan to use it
Financing, timelines, and what to expect during the build
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
You do not have to figure this out alone. Use this guide as your starting point, and reach out any time you want help with the details of your specific project. We are here to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Home Tour & Consultation
Once you’ve confirmed your space and zoning, we recommend scheduling a tour at our display lot to see the homes in person.
During the tour, you can walk through all of our models; compare layouts, features, and finishes; ask questions about setup and delivery; review upgrade and customization options; and learn about financing options. Our tours are designed to give you all the information you need to confidently move forward.
Schedule a tour
Tip: In the form, share as much detail as possible about your property, project goals, and timeline to help our team prepare for your visit and tailor the tour to your needs.
Customize Your Home
After your visit, you’ll complete our Customization Form, which lets you personalize every aspect of your home. You can fill it out in person, take it home, or schedule a follow-up consultation with our team. Customization options range from floor plan variations with door and window placement to external features like porch add-ons and roofing, to interior finishes like countertops and flooring. We’ll walk through all your selections together to make sure everything is aligned before we send your estimate. With so many options for customization, we’re able to work within your budget and craft your ideal tiny home.
Explore our Customization Guide to see the full range of options we offer
Confirm Zoning & Site Access
Before ordering a Park Model RV Tiny Home, the most important step is confirming that your city or county allows an occupied RV or Park Model RV on private property. These homes are not ADUs and follow RV rules, so even in areas that are ADU-friendly, the RV rules may be different.
Every city has its own zoning language, so it is worth calling your local planning department early. We can help you identify the correct office or point you in the right direction if you need support.
Basic Placement Requirements
These are the most common requirements across Oregon, Washington, and the Northwest. Your local rules may vary, but this is a good starting point:
Access
Your property needs a clear path, wide and tall enough for the home to be delivered. Most transport companies require:
A 16-foot-tall clearance
A 14-foot-wide entrance
Minimal sharp turns that prevent backing the unit into the site
Space for the Home
Most Park Models are up to 399 square feet and up to 12 feet wide. You will need a space large enough for the home plus room to work around it during delivery and setup. Many cities also require general setbacks from property lines, similar to other structures.
Utility Availability
If your city allows an occupied RV, they typically allow connections to power, water, and sewer or septic. These hookups can be temporary or permanent, depending on local code.
How to Confirm Zoning
The fastest way to get clarity is to call or email your city planner and ask directly whether an occupied RV or Park Model RV is allowed in your zoning district. We created a simple question list to make this easy. Check our Zoning & Placement page for an overview of general zoning regulations, as well as information specific to your city and a guide on what to ask your local city zoning & planning department.
Tap here to learn how Park Model RV Tiny Homes differ from ADUS
Financing Guidance
We accept various methods of payment, but if you decide to finance your tiny home purchase, we can guide you through the process with our lending partner, 21st Mortgage. They specialize in park model tiny home loans and have a variety of loan programs to fit your needs. You’re also free to work with your own lender.
Once your loan documents are finalized or a cash payment is made, we submit your order to the manufacturer, and your home officially enters production. Build time usually takes 8 to 14 weeks, depending on the manufacturer’s schedule and the options you selected. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process.
Explore our financing information
Site Preparation & Insurance
While your home is being built, this is the perfect time to get your property ready. You’ll want to coordinate permits or approvals if your area requires them, utility hookups (water, electricity, sewer, and gas), pad prep (gravel or concrete pad, or concrete runners), and start lining up insurance for your Park Model RV so coverage is in place by the time you are ready to use it. We can work directly with your contractor or connect you with our network of professionals to answer any technical questions and provide setup specs, ensuring a smooth transition once your home arrives.
Transport & Setup
As your home nears completion, we’ll reach out to schedule delivery for a date that works for you and coordinate the delivery plans with our transport team. Whenever possible, we’ll have a NW Tiny Homes team member on-site during delivery to make sure everything goes smoothly. Once the home is in place, we conduct a walkthrough and document any items that may require warranty service, as well as remove some of the shipping materials to help make it move-in ready.
Your home arrives with an owner’s guide and installation manual from the manufacturer to help guide you through the home setup process, whether you prefer to DIY or work with contractors to handle the details.
Learn more about the Delivery & Setting process
Warranty & Support
Our relationship doesn’t end after delivery; we take pride in supporting our customers long-term to ensure your new home meets expectations for years to come. Within the first couple of weeks after delivery, we’ll schedule a warranty service visit to handle applicable fine-tuning and repairs, and we remain available for questions and coordination with your local service providers.
Whether you need help with future maintenance, accessory installations, or understanding factory coverage, our team is here to help as best we can.
Ready to get started?
Contact us today to begin your tiny home journey! We’ll help guide you through the entire process!
Schedule a Tour
NW Tiny Homes
1110 NE Columbia Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97211
Open daily from 11 am–6 pm