In Florida, people search for more economical, eco-friendly, and simple living options. Tiny homes are permitted in some Florida counties but not in others, and those have unique guidelines to go by. Therefore, before constructing or locating your small house on your land consult with the local jurisdiction office.
This article will discuss some of the Florida counties that permit small houses and tiny homes for sale (prices and designs), along with the specifications and limitations that go along with them.
Can You Make a Tiny House in Florida Your Main Residence?
Yes, you can. In Florida, it’s rather easy to buy land and construct a tiny house. Nevertheless, each county has its own set of rules and regulations regarding the construction of tiny home sizes. The laws in Florida regarding small dwellings differ from county to county. Certain places only authorize their usage as temporary housing, while others are limited and allow their use as permanent residences.
Having a tiny house on a permanent foundation is comparable to having a regular home in terms of property rights. Like any other homeowner, you can sell your property or leave it to your heirs, among other property rights and obligations.
Tiny House Prices in Florida
When it comes to tiny house laws, Florida is a somewhat accommodating state. Check out tiny houses in Florida:
Sunset Studio
On the western end of Sugar Cane Beach, Sunset Studio offers views of Mangrove Bay and the Western Horizon.
It is a little house-style studio apartment with a sleeping loft and just one room. The loft section has a full king-sized bed and modest built-in wardrobes on both sides of the bed. Likewise, two single beds can be placed on the corner sofa in the living area. The price of this cozy house is $49,900.
Palmetto Cottage
A cozy little house with 24′ x 14′ proportions, Palmetto Cottage has a total floor space of 336 square feet. The porch that gives this cottage a sense of class is a highlighted characteristic.
The squared windows allow you to save money by letting in brilliant sunlight during the day, keeping the interiors warm, and the external lap siding provides the house with a stylish appearance.
The living area has space for a U-shaped couch sofa and a storage cabinet in the corner, with a starting price of $75,000.
Solo
The Solo has a price of $90,000 and is a smart home that is both roomy and quite elegant in many ways. This home’s many positive traits, which include its capacity to withstand earthquakes, fire, and hurricanes, make it a great value.
The Solo’s eco-friendly design is exceptional in every way for a compact dwelling and effective. Furthermore, a clever air conditioning, ventilation, and heating system combined with excellent wall insulation.
Jojo Bean
Both helpful and lovely, Jojo Bean is. There is a bedroom on the main level, a wet bath, and no stair climbing required. You could utilize Jojo Bean as an ADU because the layout is adaptable.
It is a tight 170-square-foot space, 8 feet 6 inches wide by 20 feet long. The certification of this little house guarantees safety and helps you pay less for insurance. The cost starts at $89,999.
What Counties in Florida Allow Tiny Houses?
Every county has a separate set of regulations regarding tiny homes in Florida. There may be restrictions on what you do and how you build concerning your property.
You should have no issue creating your own tiny home as long as you follow the guidelines. Nonetheless, a few counties also have minimum square footage requirements. The counties to watch out for include:
Orange County
Orange County permits tiny residences on foundations and wheels under new zoning standards. The small house can have a maximum area of 500 square feet.
Petersburg County
The St. Petersburg City Council adopted an ordinance authorizing small houses on wheels as auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs) in existing homeowners’ backyards The tiny house can have a maximum area of 375 square feet.
Sarasota County
Sarasota County passed new zoning laws that permit auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs), including tiny homes. The small house can only be 750 square feet in maximum size. Furthermore, in Sarasota County, if you want to dwell in the same RV park for 45 days or more, your tiny house on wheels needs to be positioned on a foundation.
Florida Tiny House Laws: Local Zoning Regulations
By contacting the local authority office for zoning and building regulations, you may ascertain if you can construct or place a tiny house on your property.
Pasco County
Pasco County now permits tiny homes on wheels as ADUs under new zoning restrictions. The tiny house can only be 400 square feet in maximum size.
Lower Level: The part of a building between the floor and ceiling is partially above and partially below the grade but is positioned so that the vertical distance between the floor below and the grade is smaller than the vertical distance between the grade and the ceiling; the distance between the two must be at least four feet, six inches.
Construction: You should know that any building intended to support, shelter, or enclose people, pets, belongings, or goods needs to have 50% of its perimeter formed by enclosure walls.
Cellar: The area of a structure when the ceiling is either completely below grade or lower than four feet, or six inches.
Hamilton County
In Hamilton, Florida, local zoning regulations for tiny houses dictate that the structures must comply with size and placement requirements. The city requires tiny houses to be at least 100 square feet and prohibits them from being placed on wheels. Additionally, homeowners must obtain the necessary permits and adhere to the setbacks and height restrictions outlined in the zoning regulations.
Dixie County
In Dixie, local zoning regulations for tiny houses are still evolving. Currently, the county requires tiny houses to be built on a foundation and meet minimum square footage requirements. However, there are discussions about updating the regulations to accommodate more options for tiny house living, such as movable tiny homes on wheels.
Suwannee County
Suwannee’s city has specific zoning regulations for tiny houses. These regulations dictate the minimum size of a dwelling, setbacks from property lines, and maximum heights. Additionally, there may be restrictions on where tiny houses can be placed within the city limits. Potential tiny house owners need to be aware of and comply with these laws.
Tiny House Regulations And Rules In Florida
A tiny house may be an excellent way to simplify your life and downsize to your primary abode. But consider the realities of living in a limited area, such as zoning laws, storage needs, and utility costs, to guarantee that the layout and construction of your tiny home suit your unique requirements and way of life.
Permanent Structure Rules
In Florida, permanent structure rules govern the construction, modification, and maintenance of buildings and other physical structures. These standards are in place to ensure the safety, durability, and aesthetics of the built environment. Compliance with permanent structure rules is essential to upholding the integrity and functionality of buildings in the state.
You can build a tiny house in your backyard on a permanent foundation, depending on your local building codes. These homes, sometimes referred to as auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs), are beneficial to families.
Temporary Structure Rules
In Florida, local building codes govern temporary structure rules. These codes regulate the construction, placement, and use of temporary structures such as tents, stages, and scaffolding. Temporary structure regulations are in place to ensure the safety of occupants and to prevent potential hazards during events or construction projects.
Transitional Structure Rules
In Florida, transitional structure rules govern the regulations and guidelines for building temporary or semi-permanent structures such as tents, mobile homes, and portable classrooms. These regulations ensure safety, efficiency, and adherence to building codes, especially in areas prone to extreme weather events. Compliance with these rules is crucial for maintaining a secure and resilient infrastructure in the state.
In Florida, Where Can I Build A Tiny House?
Tiny houses can be built on private property as long as they meet the zoning and building codes of the specific local jurisdiction. Some counties and municipalities have specific regulations for tiny houses, including minimum square footage requirements and foundation specifications.
It’s important to research and consult with local authorities before starting a tiny house project in Florida to ensure compliance with all regulations. Additionally, there are tiny house communities and RV parks in Florida that may allow for tiny house construction.
Tiny House Communities in Florida
Tiny home communities are a perfect fit for Florida because the state is well-known for its planned communities and retirement areas. It makes sense that many consider Florida to be the ideal place to live, retire, or go on vacation with its gorgeous sunlight, beaches, and activities.
Florida’s small home communities provide warm weather, beautiful scenery, and inexpensive entertainment, all ideal for leading a tiny life.
Orlando Lakefront Community
Tiny homeowners who enjoy the sun will enjoy the welcoming neighborhoods in the city, such as Orlando Lakefront at College Park, which is home to a burgeoning tiny home community.
Tampa Bay Village
Tampa Bay Village. This town is close to the University of South Florida. So you can buy or rent fully equipped tiny homes.
St. Pete Area
The St. Pete region, home to the St. Petersburg Tiny Home Festival, is another location for tiny homeowners. A Florida tiny house community and an urban farm are found in the emerging St. Petersburg Charitable Land Trust. While there are minimum dimensions and limitations (and maximum square footage), the area is generally tiny and house-friendly.
Tiny House Builders Near Me
Great Lakes Tiny Homes is one of the best builders in the United States because it offers diverse models and nationwide shipping. Likewise, it is a member of the RV Industry Association (RVIA). This accreditation serves as live evidence of the high manufacturing standards and adherence to building, safety, and regulatory requirements for tiny houses.
Do I Need a Certified Builder?
Yes, you do. Because you need an RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association). It is a certified builder, which indicates that the home complies with building, plumbing, electrical, and heating safety regulations.
Insurance
Because RVIA-certified tiny houses exceed safety and quality criteria, getting insurance coverage for them is easy.
Safety
Your tiny house demonstrates it satisfies industrial safety requirements with the RVIA mark.
Financing
In the same way, purchasing or developing a tiny house has more financing alternatives with the RVIA certification.
Note: Approved tiny houses may only be built by firms that hold permits from the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, such as Great Lake Tiny Houses.
FAQs
In Florida, How Can I Register a Tiny House?
You must first ascertain whether a county or counties permit small dwellings before you may register one in Florida. The rules for registering your small house vary depending on the jurisdiction.
While some counties may not need a variance, they will demand that the small house be constructed following specific guidelines. After choosing in which county to build your tiny home, you can start the registration procedure. It usually entails delivering a copy of your building plans and any other required documentation to the local government office in charge of zoning and permits.
What Kinds of Tiny Homes Are Allowed in Florida?
It can involve construction rules and other criteria related to size. There may be variations in these regulations between counties in your area. For example, different towns could allow smaller homes than others, while other places would only allow residences up to a specific size. Furthermore, certain counties could have restrictions on where you can put your tiny house and whether or not it needs to be connected to services like power and water.
In Florida, Is It Legal for Me to Build My Own Home?
If you own land in a location of your choosing in Florida, you are allowed to construct your own tiny home. However, before building a tiny house in Florida, research your local zoning laws and regulations because every county has its own set of rules on zoning.
Conclusion
People who wish to live in the Sunshine State have the option of living in tiny houses, but they must be aware of the many specific laws and ordinances in each county. While some jurisdictions only permit small homes to be parked on lots with principal residences, others allow them to be used as accessory dwelling units.
Nonetheless, some counties either lack regulations designed for small dwellings or have stringent restrictions on their location and size. Be mindful of the specific laws to make your dream house in the Sunshine State a reality.
