Trinity County Municipal Code Ch. 15.27 Movable Tiny Homes

This chapter shall be known as the "Movable Tiny Homes" ordinance of Trinity County.

(Ord. No. 1375, § I, 6-17-25)

A. Housing costs continue to rise and traditional housing options become increasingly inaccessible, it is imperative to embrace innovative approaches, like movable tiny homes, to ensure housing affordability and diversity for all residents.

B. Movable tiny homes offer a viable solution to the county's housing shortage by providing compact, yet functional dwellings that meet the needs of individuals and families while minimizing environmental impact.

(Ord. No. 1375, § I, 6-17-25)

For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms are defined as follows:

"Concealed" means kept out of sight or hidden from view.

"Movable" means a transportable dwelling unit that is constructed to comply with standards applicable to recreational vehicles.

"Movable tiny home(s)" means a small dwelling unit that is typically four hundred square feet or less in size and designed for space efficiency and ergonomics. See graphic at subsection G of Section 15.27.50 for example.

"Use allowed by right" means a land use that is permitted under the current zoning regulations of a property, essentially allowing a property owner to develop their land in a specific way without needing additional use permits from the planning division, as it falls within the designated zoning category for that area; also known as "permitted use" or "use by right."

(Ord. No. 1375, § I, 6-17-25)

A. Zoning Clearance. A movable tiny home will also be required to undergo zoning clearance to demonstrate compliance with all standards described in section lll, and is subject to all applicable fees and charges, unless exempted by county code.

B. Other Zoning Requirements. Movable tiny homes are still subject to all applicable requirements that are associated with the subject parcel's zone and any other provisions in the Trinity County Zoning Ordinance, this includes, but not limited to overlay zoning districts (flood hazard, scenic conservation, special treatment, etc.).

C. Use by Right. Movable tiny homes will be permitted in any district that allows a single-family dwelling allowed use by right.

D. Allowable Zoning District. The following are considered allowable zoning districts:

1. Unclassified or "U" district.

2. Agricultural or "A" district.

3. Agricultural preserve district or "AP" district.

4. Agriculture-forest district or "A-F" district.

5. Rural residential or RR district.

6. Single-family district or R-1 district.

7. Duplex residential district or "R-2" district.

8. Specific unit development district or "SUD" district that allows a single-family dwelling allowed use by right.

E. Property Line Setbacks. Movable tiny homes are required to meet all applicable property line setbacks per their associated zoning district and, when applicable, must meet property line setbacks outlined in Chapter 8.30 (Fire Safe Ordinance).

(Ord. No. 1375, § I, 6-17-25)

A. A movable tiny home shall require a building permit.

B. A movable tiny home shall be:

1. Licensed and registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles or California Department of Housing and Community Development.

C. A movable tiny home shall not:

1. Exceed one story with exception to sleeping lofts; or

2. Exceed four hundred square feet; or

3. Be able to move under its own power.

D. A movable tiny home shall meet all standards listed in Chapter 8.30 (Fire Safe Ordinance). Siding shall be listed with the state fire marshal's office, the roof must be of a Class A material, and all windows must be tempered on one side.

E. Addressing. A movable tiny home shall obtain a separate address with a building permit through the Trinity County Planning Division.

F. Appearance. To maintain the character of residential areas, a movable tiny home shall be designed to look like a conventional residential structure rather than a recreational vehicle (RV), as depicted in the graphic below. This shall be done by incorporating design features and materials typically used for houses, such as typical siding or roofing materials, pitched roofs, eaves, residential windows, etc. This shall be at the discretion of the building official. The undercarriage, including wheels, axles, tongue, and hitch, shall be concealed from view. The wheels shall be skirted or removed and shall sit with leveling or support jacks on a paving surface. Other zoning requirements referenced in section II [of the ordinance from which this section derives] must be adhered to.

G. Example Appearance.

[Figure]

H. Living Area Extensions. The roof and all exterior walls shall not be fixed with slide-outs, tip-outs, or other forms of mechanically articulation room area extensions.

I. Egress. A movable tiny home shall have a minimum of two means of egress, one of which shall be the main entrance and one of which shall be in each sleeping area(s) via either a window or a door. Entrance and egress stairs, pathways, and windows shall be constructed in accordance with state standards.

J. Access Standards. Access roads shall meet state and local fire safe standards as determined by the serving fire agency. Encroachment permits may be required to address ingress, egress, and sight distance requirements for access to county-maintained, state highways or other agency or district owned roads. This shall be at the discretion of the agency that has jurisdiction over the access road(s) associated with the subject parcel.

K. Foundation and Structural Components.

1. A movable tiny home must be retrofitted for placement on a permanent foundation which must meet building and fire safe standards or;

2. Shall be tied down with anchors or otherwise stabilized as designed by the manufacturer's recommendations.

3. Structures such as porches, decks, sheds, and gazebos shall be designed to detach from the movable tiny home. Uncovered porches or decks less than thirty inches in height do not require building permits.

L. Utilities/Equipment.

1. Water and Sewer. A movable tiny home shall be connected to water supply and sewage disposal facilities approved by the county's environmental health division and applicable community service district(s) prior to final inspection and issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

2. Energy. A movable tiny home shall require a subpanel appropriately sized for the movable tiny home's amperage, electrical pedestal, and approved exterior outlets in the location the movable tiny home will be located, unless otherwise designed to be self-contained to provide equal electrical accommodations (e.g., fully relying on solar power and battery backup). Separate electric meters may be permitted if approved by the building official and utility supplier.

3. Mechanical. All mechanical equipment shall be incorporated in the structure, and shall in no case be located on the roof with the exception of solar energy panels or collectors.

4. Electrical. All electrical components shall be designed to meet California Code standards. A movable tiny home shall be connected to a permanent power source.

M. Certifications. A movable tiny home shall comply with the standards set forth in California HSC 18027.3. A movable tiny home shall be certified by a recognized national certification body as complying with these standards and a certified label shall be placed on the movable tiny home to demonstrate compliance.

N. Minimum Wind and Snow Loads. A movable tiny home shall be constructed to withstand minimum snow and wind loads for the proposed location.

O. Removal. Before a tiny home can be removed from a property, a demo permit with the Trinity County Building Division will be required.

(Ord. No. 1375, § I, 6-17-25)