What is a Tiny Home ADU?

With all the new terms like park model, tiny homes on wheels, RV park cabins, and ADUs being used these days, you may be wondering what in the world a tiny home ADU is.  A tiny home ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is when you take one of our park model tiny homes and use them for an ADU on your property. 

These luxuriously designed yet affordable home units are all built to legal building codes, making them an RVIA-certified park model home with their own entrance separate from the primary dwelling. Think tiny home meets in-law apartment, and you’ve got yourself a tiny home ADU where you can earn additional income by renting it out or be close to an elderly parent while allowing them their privacy. 

Keep reading to gain helpful information on tiny home ADUs, from information about their size and amenities to utility connections and permit requirements, plus the scoop on full-time living. Let’s go! 

Can You Live In A Tiny Home ADU Fulltime? 

Currently, the average cost of buying a house in the United States is a whopping $416,900, a cost far beyond many people’s price range. As a result, many people are turning to other options for an alternative to traditional home ownership.

Full-time life in a tiny home ADU can be wonderful and offers many amazing perks, including lower costs and more permanent living flexibility than other tiny homes. However, some municipalities might not allow you to have the park model home permanently parked on your property. Check with your local building departments for the legal requirements before jumping into full-time ADU living. 

If your local municipality does allow full-time living in a tiny home ADU, you can now take the necessary time to think about the pros and cons of committing to full-time life in a tiny home ADU. 

Full-Time Tiny Home ADU Living Pros 

• Lower utility and maintenance costs: With a smaller space and fewer people in a tiny home ADU, utility bills can be lower plus ongoing maintenance costs are minimal. 
• Flexibility: These ADUs are versatile and can meet various needs whether you need to house a friend for a few months, take care of a parent, or rent it out as additional income. 
• Community: A tiny home ADU offers close proximity to another residence and you have the potential to live closely with others, sharing in the joys of good community. 

Full Time Tiny Home ADU Living Cons 

• Property taxes: Having an extra structure on a property can mean more property taxes which could translate into ongoing costs for you. 
• Limited space: Tiny home ADUs are designed for comfortable living but they are still smaller than a traditional house, so you need to consider if you can live with less before moving in full-time. 
• Cost: Although a tiny home ADU is significantly less than buying a traditional house, it still requires an upfront cost and ongoing maintenance and repair costs. Get a free quote today if you are interested in purchasing a tiny home ADU. 

How Big Are Tiny Home ADUs?

A traditional ADU with a permanent foundation is the size of a small modular home ranging from 500-1300 square feet, but a tiny home ADU will be around 200-400 square feet as per state regulations.

These park model tiny homes are slightly smaller versions of a typical ADU which means more flexibility and convenience. A tiny home ADU will include a full bedroom(s), kitchen, living room, bathroom, and loft space plus an outside porch space, providing you with plenty of living space. A turnkey package from Zook Cabins will also include all the appliances and utility connections needed. 

Can Tiny Home ADUs have Multiple Bedrooms?

Yes, depending on the tiny home ADU model you purchase, the ADU can have either 1 or 2 bedrooms. You might not think that 400 square feet offers enough space but each of the bedrooms are large and roomy with sufficient closet space and plenty of room for furniture and decor.

A 1-bedroom ADU tiny home like the A-frame model from Zook Cabins could be the perfect option for a newlywed couple looking to invest in a smaller home before purchasing a larger house, while a 2-bedroom model like the Cascade or Pinecrest could work great for a young family or as a popular Airbnb rental. 

What Kind Of Foundation Does a Tiny Home ADU require?

One of the beauties of using a park model tiny home as an ADU is that it doesn’t require a permanent foundation like a crawlspace or a basement foundation. Instead you will be parking the tiny home ADU onto either a secure gravel pad or poured concrete pad that is at least 4-6 inches thick.

Because the park model home is considered an RV, built to RVIA ASNI 119.5 standards, you must leave the tiny home ADU on its trailer and simply park it securely onto the pad, supporting it with wooden blocks before installing skirting around it. For more information on the foundation you will need before Zook Cabins can install a tiny home ADU model, contact us and we will guide you through the preparation process! 

What Kind of Electrical Hook-up Do Tiny Home ADUs Need?

Each of our tiny home ADUs require a 100-amp electrical hookup. We will provide a park model tiny home of your choice ready to go with the proper electric set up, you just need to have access to a 100-amp electrical hookup and you’ll be ready for success!

While it is ideal (and required in some states like California) to have a separate electric panel from the primary dwelling, you may be able to share access with your primary dwelling’s electric panel. Contact a local electrician or ask your local building offices before proceeding. 

Do Tiny Home ADUs Need To Be Connected to Water and Sewage?

Technically speaking, a tiny home ADU can be modified to be used off-grid, but all our park model tiny homes are designed for water and sewage connections. Just like our electric set up, Zook Cabins will provide all the necessary utility preparations for your ADU tiny home, to be connected to the sewer and water service. Have more questions about your role? Read over all the details of the site preparation for installing park model homes!

Water Connections

A tiny home ADU water line requires a standard garden hose hookup, which is simple and easy.  Because detached ADUs are parked on the same property as another main dwelling, you have the option to connect the water line to your main house water line, once you ensure that the line can handle the pressure of two connections.

If you don’t want the water lines showing, your other option is to connect directly to the city’s main water line underground which will require you to have a separate water meter and more permits. This can be more costly but then it is easier to track the water usage for just the tiny home ADU (particularly helpful if you are using it as an Airbnb). 

Sewage Connections

The sewage connection is similar to water with two main options available. A standard 3 in. sewage line hookup is required and if your main house line can handle the excess waste from the ADU tiny home, you can hook it up to the existing sewage line. However, if it can’t handle the pressure, you will have to work with your local town or city to connect directly to the street’s main sewer line. 

Here are some more tips when you are hooking up the water and sewage: 

• Hire a licensed plumber experienced with ADUs and your local code.
• Include shut-off valves and cleanouts for easier maintenance access.
• Make sure you locate all the existing lines before digging. 
• Work with all your local utility departments for a smooth and painless set up. 

Can You Have A Washer/Dryer In An ADU?

It is possible to connect a washer and dryer in the park model ADUs although additional utility connections might be required. Having a washer and dryer in your tiny home ADU can add greater appeal if you are renting it out or added convenience for anyone living in it full-time. 

Installing a washer and dryer in a park model tiny home is very similar to installing them in an RV or other tiny homes. For maximum space efficiency, invest in a stackable washer and dryer. Several other factors to consider before installing a washer and dryer are space and energy efficiency. 

• Space: Adding even a stackable washer and dryer will take up precious space in your tiny home ADU so think carefully before adding it in. 
• Energy Efficiency: Having a washer and dryer in your tiny home ADU will increase your utility bills, an important factor in the decision making process. Choose energy efficient washers and dryers, especially if they will be used frequently. 

Do I Need Permits To Have An ADU Tiny Home?

As mentioned earlier, not all local municipalities will allow park model tiny homes to be used as an ADU. Because all our park model homes are RVIA-certified, your local building department will need to approve them for use as an ADU on your property. This may involve inspections and paperwork, including zoning and building permits, depending on the state and county you reside in. For specific state regulations, check out this table with more specific state guidelines regarding Tiny Home ADU Regulations. 

AL	IL	MN	NC	TX
AZ	IN	MS	ND	UT
AR	IA	MO	OH	VT
CA	KS	MT	OK	VA
CO	KY	NE	OR	WA
CT	LA	NV	PA	WV
DE	ME	NH	RI	WI
FL	MD	NJ	SC	WY
GA	MA	NM	SD
ID	MI	NY	TN

Can Tiny Home ADUs Be Bigger Than 400 Square Feet? 

Per state regulations, a tiny home ADU must not exceed 400 square feet. The only exception to this is in the state of Florida, where 500 square feet is accepted. Most of our park model homes are a maximum of 400 square feet, offering a cozy yet spacious tiny home ADU with smaller options like the Nook Studio available for those desiring something even compact.

Don’t forget, some of the park model homes include loft spaces and outdoor porch areas in addition to the 400 square feet of other living space! These tiny home ADUs are ideal for a couple or a small family who loves to live minimally yet comfortably. 

Are There Other Options For An ADU If Tiny Homes Are Not Permitted In My Area? 

If your local zoning codes do not allow for a tiny home ADU like the ones talked about in this article, don’t feel discouraged! There are other options available, including a detached ADU with a permanent foundation, a conversion ADU, or even a log cabin ADU! For more information on the types of ADUs available, check out our other ADU blog post for more helpful information. 

Modern ADU

A modern ADU with a crawl space or basement foundation is larger and built to permanent residency building codes, making it easier for full-time living. At Zook Cabins, we offer multiple beautifully designed ADUs that are inspired by our park model home designs, yet engineered like our other modular homes. These ADUs, ranging from 500-800 square feet, are ideal for full-time living or as a short-term rental. Browse the entire selection today to get the process started! 

Log Cabin ADU 

While most log cabins are not the traditional ADU, smaller modular log cabins can be the perfect accessory dwelling unit for you, especially if you have a larger rural property. Some of the modular log cabin models from Zook Cabins start at 700 square feet, the traditional size for most ADUs. This should meet your local zoning requirements because log cabins are not typically considered a tiny home. 

Conversion ADU

If you have an attic, basement, or space above your garage, you could consider converting it into an ADU, perfect for elderly parents to live in or even as a rental. Conversion ADUs are not as convenient as detached ADUs because an ADU requires a private entrance from the primary dwelling, which could be difficult to add onto an attic or basement space plus conversion ADUs tend to be more costly. However, they are still a popular choice and something to consider. 

Wrapping Up

Tiny home ADUs are a great addition or even alternative to traditional home ownership because of their compact space, functionality, and investment potential. If you are interested in your very own beautiful, tiny home ADU model, browse our selection or get a free quote to get started today! We here at Zook Cabins think non-traditional home options are incredible, and we want to support you in your journey.