Finding the middle ground between a tiny home and an ADU

[jessc]

I have been researching my own build and I feel stuck between the DIY freedom of a tiny home and the legal stability of an Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU. Tiny homes on wheels are great for saving money and doing the work yourself but they often fall into a legal gray area and have strict size limits. ADUs are more permanent and easier to permit but they usually require expensive foundations and in ground plumbing that follows standard building codes. I am looking for a middle ground that offers the regulatory ease of an ADU with the simpler systems of a tiny home. Some people suggest looking into park model RVs or modular units that sit on helical piles instead of a full concrete slab. This could allow for easier access to plumbing and lower site costs while still giving me a legal place to live. It is a lot to balance but I want to find a solution that does not break my budget or the law.

 

[i'm nobody]

Have you checked if your city allows movable tiny houses to be registered as ADUs on a temporary basis.

 

[Alan]

I have been researching my own build and I feel stuck between the DIY freedom of a tiny home and the legal stability of an Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU. Tiny homes on wheels are great for saving money and doing the work yourself but they often fall into a legal gray area and have strict size limits. ADUs are more permanent and easier to permit but they usually require expensive foundations and in ground plumbing that follows standard building codes. I am looking for a middle ground that offers the regulatory ease of an ADU with the simpler systems of a tiny home. Some people suggest looking into park model RVs or modular units that sit on helical piles instead of a full concrete slab. This could allow for easier access to plumbing and lower site costs while still giving me a legal place to live. It is a lot to balance but I want to find a solution that does not break my budget or the law.

Modular units would be a good idea especially if you decide in the future to discontinue, and yes, easier for plumbing installation.

 

[wifflesaffle]

I have been researching my own build and I feel stuck between the DIY freedom of a tiny home and the legal stability of an Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU. Tiny homes on wheels are great for saving money and doing the work yourself but they often fall into a legal gray area and have strict size limits. ADUs are more permanent and easier to permit but they usually require expensive foundations and in ground plumbing that follows standard building codes. I am looking for a middle ground that offers the regulatory ease of an ADU with the simpler systems of a tiny home. Some people suggest looking into park model RVs or modular units that sit on helical piles instead of a full concrete slab. This could allow for easier access to plumbing and lower site costs while still giving me a legal place to live. It is a lot to balance but I want to find a solution that does not break my budget or the law.

Look into helical piles or post and beam foundations as they can be cheaper than a full foundation while still meeting many local codes.

 

[luke.moks]

Some jurisdictions allow for above ground plumbing if it is properly insulated and protected from the elements.

 

[st0lasG]

Does your property have any existing utility connections that you could tap into without digging new deep trenches?