Tiny houses are known for mobility due to their small size, but many of them also come with wheels. Being able to tow your home wherever you go is undoubtedly beneficial. Many states have unique regulations on the use of wheels with tiny houses, some of which are stricter than others.
Do Tiny Houses Have to be on Wheel?
Not necessarily. Many states have laws that state that tiny homes on wheels can be considered mobile dwellings, therefore they’re not subject to the same laws as stationary houses. Furthermore, wheels are never a requirement unless you want to benefit from such laws.
Throughout this article, you’ll also learn more information about tiny homes on wheels, including:
- Florida, California, and Texas regulations
- Pros and cons of wheels vs. no wheels on a tiny house
- Choosing if you should have wheels on your tiny home
What Do the Laws Say in California, Florida, and Texas?
There’s no question that California, Florida, and Texas have drastically different laws throughout each state. However, you might be surprised to find out that they’re all relatively relaxed when it comes to tiny houses. You don’t need to have wheels if you don’t want them.
In fact, each state goes as far as giving you possible money savings, fewer restrictions, and more. There are plenty of laws that are unique to tiny houses. Now, without further ado, let’s examine each state’s preferences.
Laws for California Tiny Houses on Wheels
California doesn’t require you to have wheels on your tiny house. That being said, you’ll be able to claim it as a mobile home if it has wheels and a tow hitch to pull it around. You’ll save tons of money by spending less on insurance and other policies. If it’s parked in the back of someone’s house or on private land, you can claim it as a mobile residence for mail and other purposes.
Laws for Texas Tiny Houses on Wheels
Texas doesn’t have any laws that require you to have wheels on your tiny home. They also allow you to park it on rural land without very many restrictions at all due to a lack of zoning regulations. Texas is considered to be one of the best and easiest states to own a tiny house on wheels.
Laws for Florida Tiny Houses on Wheels
As long as your tiny house complies with Florida’s zoning and dwelling laws, there isn’t anything that goes against having wheels on your tiny house in Florida. In fact, many rural areas will have varying zoning restrictions that change from county to county. You’ll be safe to use your tiny house on wheels, but make sure you do local research prior to parking it there permanently.
Pros and Cons
Owning a tiny house on wheels seems like it would speak for itself in terms of benefits, but you might be surprised how many benefits come with buying one without wheels. Before you buy a tiny home, you might want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Here are the pros and cons of tiny houses with and without wheels:
Pros of Tiny Houses with Wheels
- Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that you can move it wherever you want. As long as it has a trailer hitch and you have a towing vehicle, your home is now mobile to move with you around the globe. Make sure you have top-notch tires, though! A popped tire while driving a tiny house is dangerous.
- You’ll be able to save money on insurance costs in some states. Many companies allow you to register your tiny house on wheels as a mobile home, reducing your monthly insurance payments by a massive amount.
- Many RV parks allow you to have a residency with your tiny home if it’s on wheels. For example, some of them in Florida, California, and Texas offer 6-month to 12-month plot leases that let you park your tiny house there. Rather than having to find your own land, you can have everything you need at a beautiful campground.
Cons of Tiny Houses with Wheels
- Adding wheels to a structure only adds more problems to worry about. Before you move it, you’ll have to fill and inspect each tire. On top of that, you have to worry about axles, rims, and other parts of the wheels. Any issues could expand and cost you extra money.
- If the wheels are cheap, then you might feel a bit of a rocking motion when you walk around inside. Windy days also make it a bit uncomfortable, unless you have wheel locks to prevent it from swaying around.
Pros of Tiny Houses without Wheels
- Having a stationary structure gives you a house that can qualify as a permanent residency in any state. Although a few might not have restrictions concerning wheels, it’s always good to increase your chances of getting mail, census checkups, and other benefits of stationary homes.
- You don’t have to worry about unnecessary movement associated with wheels. There won’t be any rocking or swaying, nor will you have to deal with the additional expenses that come with tires, rims, axles, etc.
- Although it might not be an issue for everyone, some states are prone to having critters crawl and live underneath tiny houses. Without wheels under your home, there’s nothing to elevate it enough for them to live there.
Cons of Tiny Houses without Wheels
- Not being able to move your house whenever you want can be a hindrance. This may or may not be a problem since traditional houses are never moved, but it’s definitely a limiting factor for tiny homes.
- The value of your tiny home will likely be reduced since it can’t be moved around. Selling it will be limited to also selling the plot, which means you’ll lose the land that you put the house on.
How to Decide if You Should Put Your House on Wheels?
Putting a tiny home on wheels is nearly impossible if it’s not already equipped with the proper gear. If you’re deciding whether or not you want wheel on your tiny house, then you should consider the following questions:
- Do you plan on moving the tiny house to a different location ever? If so, wheels are an absolute must. There are a few circumstances in which tiny houses are set right on top of cement, which means they’re not rooted. Nonetheless, it’ll cost quite a bit of money to have it lifted and moved to a new area.
- Does your budget include money for additional repairs? Wheels and their respective parts require more finances to deal with possible maintenance problems. If you don’t have extra money, it could be a problem. Remember that you need land, a towing vehicle, and a permit in most places.
- How long will you be living in a tiny home? If you don’t want to be in there for too long, you should definitely think about the pros and cons of selling it with or without wheels. Someone might be more likely to buy the house if they can move it to their own private location.
Conclusion
Tiny houses have many regulations, but you usually don’t have to worry about laws regarding tiny houses on wheels (THOWS). Most major states in the country have little to no restrictions. In fact, you’ll be able to save money by claiming it as a mobile dwelling or an assisted living establishment if you’re helping family members. All in all, having wheels on your tiny house is a personal decision that has many pros and cons.