Florida Tiny House Zoning Laws Overview
Florida regulates small homes under the statewide Florida Building Code (8th Edition, 2023; effective December 31, 2023), while cities and counties control land use through zoning. There is no universal ADU mandate, but many jurisdictions allow accessory dwelling units in residential zones; your eligibility will depend on local ordinances and design standards. For foundation tiny homes, expect standard FBC compliance—structural loads, wind‑borne debris regions, flood design—plus local setbacks and utility requirements. Tiny houses on wheels (THOWs) are generally treated as recreational vehicles or park trailers under §320.01; permanent residential use typically requires explicit local allowance or siting in a licensed park. In unincorporated areas, counties administer development review (floodplain, stormwater, access, utilities) via Planning and Building divisions. Use the Jump to County Rules to scan county‑level notes and hit the linked statutes, codes, and county pages before you buy, build, or tow.
Florida uses the statewide Building Code; ADUs are local. THOWs are generally RVs unless a local ordinance says otherwise.
Understanding the zoning laws is just the first step. Once you know what is legal in Florida, you can start looking at tiny houses for sale in Florida or connect with local builders who have experience working within these regulations. If you want a turnkey solution, consider joining a tiny house community in Florida where all the zoning and permits are already handled.
