Zoning Glossary

Tiny Home on Wheels

A tiny home on wheels (THOW) is a compact dwelling built on a trailer chassis, which enables it to be relocated. Unlike foundation-based tiny homes, THOWs are typically classified as recreational vehicles under vehicle and building codes rather than as permanent residential dwellings. This classification has significant legal consequences — in most cities, a THOW cannot legally serve as a permanent residence in a residential zone.

Land Use

In Practice

Owners who intend to live in a THOW as a primary residence must identify jurisdictions that have adopted specific THOW ordinances permitting them in residential or accessory settings. Most major US cities prohibit long-term THOW occupancy in residential zones. Some rural counties and smaller municipalities have created THOW-friendly frameworks as an affordable housing strategy, but these jurisdictions represent the exception rather than the rule.

Source: Tiny Home Zoning: Where Can You Legally Build One? · Verified April 5, 2026

Related Terms

Tiny HomeAccessory Dwelling Unit

Related Guides

Tiny Home Zoning: Where Can You Legally Build One?

Source: PropertyZoned Zoning Guide — Tiny Home Zoning: Where Can You Legally Build One?. Last verified April 5, 2026.

Last updated: April 5, 2026
Report Outdated Information
Tiny Home on Wheels — Zoning Term Definition | PropertyZoned