Buying land for a tiny house is not that different from buying land for a regular house. Although the main difference is that land that is zoned for standard residential buildings is relatively easy to find. A tiny house can be built on land that is zoned for residential or mixed use, but when it comes to tiny houses there are some extra restrictions and regulations.
To buy land for a tiny house make sure that you know the local laws and restrictions when it comes to tiny houses, living in a tiny house is legal in all states but there will be some restrictions and regulations. Make sure that the land has the correct zoning, residential or mixed use, changing the zoning after you have purchased the land will be extremely hard. If you want to live off the grid in a tiny house, then search for land in areas where people are already living off the grid.
The main issue with finding land for a tiny house is that not a lot of areas allow them to be built in the first place. Some states make it really difficult to live in a tiny house, while others have extremely strict restrictions, which oftentimes makes living in a tiny house rather expensive and challenging. Tiny houses and composting toilets are usually in the same category, both are fit for their intended purposes, but for some reason, a lot of areas will simply not allow you to use them.
The good news is that as long as you do your own research, you should be able to find land for your tiny house relatively easily. You can even rent land for a tiny house, which is definitely cheaper than renting an apartment. If you want to know how to buy land in another state, then check out my recent article How To Buy Land In Another State ( In 8 Easy Steps ).
Buying Land For Tiny House
When it comes to buying land for a tiny house, there are a few key considerations that I have found helpful in my experience. Firstly, I focus on identifying locations that are conducive to tiny house living, such as areas with lenient zoning regulations or specifically designated communities for tiny homes. Researching local building codes and regulations is crucial to ensure that the land I am considering allows for the construction and placement of a tiny house. Additionally, I pay close attention to factors such as access to utilities, proximity to amenities and services, and the overall suitability of the land for my lifestyle needs.
Conducting a thorough site visit and assessment of the land is important to evaluate its topography, drainage, and any potential limitations or challenges. Engaging the services of a real estate agent or land specialist familiar with tiny house requirements can provide valuable guidance throughout the buying process.
Know The States And Counties That Facilitate Living In Tiny Houses
Usually when it comes to buying land the most important thing is location. However, when it comes to buying land for a tiny house, the location is secondary. Although tiny houses are legal in most states, but that doesn’t mean that there are no restrictions and regulations. Sometimes these restrictions and regulations will make living in a tiny house outright impossible. You will have to find states and counties that do in fact make living in tiny houses easier, and you should definitely base your land search on it. If you want to know how to buy land online then check out my recent article How To Buy Land Online ( Top 10 Tips ).
Know The Zoning Of The Land Before Buying
For the most part, residential and mixed use zonings are ideal for tiny houses, although with that being said it really depends on the county and what kind of tiny house you want to build. Make sure to ask around in the local county if they do in fact allow tiny houses, and if possible take a look at some tiny houses in the area. There will be sellers that will want to sell a plot of land that doesn’t have the right zoning.
Usually, these plots of land will be rather cheap, and the seller will claim that after you buy the land you can simply change its zoning. Changing the zoning of a plot of land is not that easy, and in most cases it is impossible, so avoid these kinds of “deals”.
The Land Should Have Access To Utilities
If you want to build a tiny home on an empty plot of land, then having access to utilities will be vital. Although in some counties you will be able to build a tiny house without having access to utilities but this mostly depends on the local rules and regulations. While composting toilets are functional, and do their job, but you will find that not all counties will allow you to use them.
In addition to this, if you will need a building permit for the tiny house, then the odds are relatively high that the local county will not issue one if there is no access to the utilities.
Keep in mind that even if the land is zoned residential or mixed use, that doesn’t guarantee that you will get a building permit, as most counties do not issue building permits to areas that do not have access to services and utilities. On the other hand, if you do not need a building permit to build a tiny house then it is less likely that utilities will be a problem. If you want to buy land in Florida then check out my recent article Buying Land In Florida ( Top 10 Things You Should Know ).
Buying Land In Rural Or Urban Areas
There are two main differences when it comes to buying land in rural or urban areas. The cost of the land, and the local restrictions regarding tiny houses. For the most part land in rural areas will be a lot cheaper and there won’t be a lot of restrictions that will stop you from living in a tiny house. On the other hand, land in urban areas tends to be more expensive, and the restrictions can also be a lot stricter. This however doesn’t mean that you can not live in a tiny house in an urban area, far from it, there are plenty of people already doing it.
Usually living in a tiny house in an urban area will be a bit more expensive, but you will have the comfort of being close to services like shops, schools, markets, hospitals, and so on.
Buying Land For A Tiny House To Live Off The Grid
Living off the grid is legal in every state, however, this doesn’t mean that there are no restrictions or regulations when it comes to off grid living. Living off the grid in a tiny house tends to be rather cozy, and if you limit how much power you need, you will have an excellent time. With that being said, you should really look at lands that are sold in areas where people do in fact live off the grid. Generally speaking, if there are people living off the grid in an area, you should not have any problems finding suitable land for both living off the grid and in a tiny house at the same time.
Avoid Buying Land For A Tiny House That Is Part Of A HOA
In theory, HOAs are a good thing, they usually keep the price of the properties relatively high and make the area look relatively clean and tidy. The problem with HOAs is that they can say what you actually can do on your own land, and if you do not abide they can fine you. I don’t know about you, but someone else who hasn’t contributed to the purchase of the land deciding how you use it is not a good idea, especially if they are incentivized to find problems so they can raise money with the fines.
Even if you buy a plot of land in the middle of nowhere, that doesn’t mean that it is not part of a HOA, so make sure to ask the real estate agent as usually, they will know if the land or property is under an HOA.
If the plot of land is part of an HOA you could try to talk to them, but even if they will say that they will allow you to build and live in a tiny house you should take it with a grain of salt. As soon as they need money they will be on your property handing out fines for whatever they can think of. My personal recommendation is to avoid lands and properties that have HOA’s especially if you want to live in a tiny house.
Key Takeaways
- Before buying land for a tiny house, verify the local zoning laws and regulations to ensure that they allow for the placement of a tiny house on the property. Some areas may have specific requirements or restrictions regarding minimum square footage, permanent foundations, and utilities.
- Evaluate the location of the land and its proximity to amenities and services such as water, electricity, and sewage systems. Determine whether the property has access to these utilities or if you need to make arrangements for off-grid options like solar power, rainwater collection, or composting toilets.
- Examine the land’s topography, soil quality, drainage, and any potential environmental or geological factors that may affect the construction and long-term viability of a tiny house. Additionally, consider the size of the lot and whether it provides adequate space for your desired tiny house design, outdoor areas, and potential future expansion
