Article posted on January 14th, 2025 by Nevada County CA
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an ordinance allowing tiny homes on wheels to be used as permanent residences. The goal is to provide an affordable housing option for residents and address the housing crisis in the county.
“We are in a housing crisis and the people who spoke here today are a testament to that,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Heidi Hall. “We’ve taken incremental steps by implementing policies that make it easier and more affordable to increase our housing stock, like our ADU Guidebook, housing master plans and reducing regulations on rural owner-built homes. Having a tiny homes on wheels ordinance is another incremental step toward providing housing solutions.”
Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are no larger than 400 square feet and include a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping areas.
The ordinance, which is similar to what is in place in Placer County and other jurisdictions, does not permit recreational vehicles (RVs) to be used as permanent housing. RVs are not intended to be used for long-term occupancy and are built to different standards. This distinction ensures that housing options meet the safety and durability standards required for permanent living.
Tiny homes on wheels will be allowed in all zones that allow traditional built housing as a primary dwelling, accessory dwelling unit (ADU or “granny unit”) or within a dwelling group consistent with allowed density. Moreover, the ordinance expands opportunities to group tiny homes on wheels by permitting in the Medium Density Residential (R2) Zoning District, which allows up to 6-units per acre with a development permit.
Following an hour and a half of public comment, Supervisors thanked the community for sharing their stories. “This is an important step forward that we are taking. In addition to hearing from folks with concerns about fire danger, regulatory obstacles and traffic issues, I appreciate all the comments asking us to continue to look at all homes on wheels,” added Hall.
Several members of the public requested that the Board consider allowing people to live in “all homes on wheels,” including RVs, which staff plans to bring back to the Board for consideration in 2025. “I encourage staff to look at how we can bring other homes on wheels into compliance in a way that isn’t cost-prohibitive and isn’t so complicated that people can’t afford or are unwilling to do it. Tiny homes are another housing solution to give people the opportunity to own their own home and have their own space,” said Vice-Chair Lisa Swarthout.
For more information about the ordinance, visit www.nevadacountyca.gov/planningprojects or contact Tyler Barrington, Principal Planner, tyler.barrington@nevadacountyca.gov.
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