Texas Tiny House Zoning Laws Overview
Texas handles tiny housing differently from ADU‑forward states. There is no statewide ADU mandate, and most counties lack general zoning authority under Local Government Code Chapter 231. As a result, land‑use decisions are primarily made by cities (and sometimes within their ETJs), while counties regulate specific development items in unincorporated areas—floodplain, drainage, subdivision, on‑site sewage (OSSF), and access permits. For permanent tiny homes on foundations, the TDLR Industrialized Housing & Buildings program establishes statewide codes for modular units, and local jurisdictions adopt and enforce building codes. For tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), the Transportation Code treats them as trailers/vehicles; unless a local ordinance explicitly allows movable tiny homes as dwellings, they’re typically limited to licensed parks or temporary use. The practical path: confirm jurisdiction (city vs. county), check any ADU allowance, and work with the county’s development office on utility and safety requirements before you buy, build, or tow.
Texas does not mandate ADUs statewide; counties rarely zone land use. THOWs are typically treated as trailers unless a local ordinance allows them as dwellings.