Tiny Homes in Florida

Florida is an active and evolving tiny home market. The Florida Residential Code’s Appendix Q provides a clear technical pathway for foundation homes under 400 sq ft. Jacksonville has established by-right ADU rules, and SB 48/HB 313 — advancing with strong bipartisan support in the 2026 session — would mandate statewide ADU approval on all single-family lots if enacted. A 2024 bill (CS/HB 557) that would have formally defined movable tiny homes died in committee, so THOWs remain classified as RVs without a dedicated statutory definition. Hurricane codes and flood zones add engineering complexity not found in most other states, especially along the coast and in the Miami-Dade High Velocity Hurricane Zone.

Where to Place a Tiny Home in Florida

Central Florida has the strongest concentration of tiny home communities. Orlando Lakefront at College Park is the state’s most established THOW community, with 50 lakefront spots at $625–$850 per month including water, sewer, internet, and lawn care. The community is three miles from downtown Orlando and has been operating since 2015.

Simple Life near Ocala offers foundation cottages under 400 sq ft starting at approximately $125,000, with lot fees of $350–$450 per month covering water, cable, trash, and landscaping. The community includes a saltwater pool, fitness studio, and dog park.

Near Tampa, Circle Pond Tiny Home Community in Ruskin welcomes THOWs on permaculture-focused lots starting under $500 per month. Gracious Tiny House Park in Okeechobee offers lakefront THOW lots starting at $450 per month on long-term leases, with 21 sites along the river.

In Brevard County, Braveheart Community in Cocoa features Cornerstone-built foundation tiny homes on individual lots, partnering directly with a Florida-licensed builder.

For short-term stays, Sunshine Key Tiny House Village in the Florida Keys offers five tiny homes for nightly rental at $250–$300 per night, 30 miles from Key West.

Florida Tiny Home Builders

Three verified Florida-based builders cover the main build types.

Movable Roots in Melbourne builds custom THOWs, park model RVs, and modular homes (400–850 sq ft) from their Brevard County facility. THOWs start at approximately $108,000 (the Boehm model, 265 sq ft). All modular units are built to Florida Building Code wind ratings. Established 2017, ANSI 119.5 compliant.

Cornerstone Tiny Homes in Longwood (near Orlando) is a licensed Florida general contractor building both foundation and wheeled tiny homes since 2014. Foundation homes start at $78,000 for a 288 sq ft studio and range up to $192,000+ for a 1,051 sq ft three-bedroom. They also develop tiny home communities, including Braveheart Community in Cocoa.

Florida Made Tiny Homes in Fort Myers specializes exclusively in on-site ADU construction statewide. Studios are 384 sq ft; one- and two-bedroom models also available. Standard features include quartz countertops, handcrafted cabinets, and curbless showers. Free property analysis; no hidden fees.

Key Regulations to Know

Florida’s regulatory framework operates at three levels. Appendix Q of the Florida Residential Code (2023 eighth edition) provides the technical pathway for foundation tiny homes under 400 sq ft, covering loft access, ceiling heights, and emergency egress.

THOWs have no dedicated statutory definition. CS/HB 557 (2024) would have created one — defining movable tiny homes under 400 sq ft as a subset of trailers — but died in the House Commerce Committee in March 2024. For now, THOWs are registered as RVs or trailers through the DHSMV, and RV-park placement is the clearest full-time living pathway.

The biggest pending change is SB 48 / HB 313 (2026 session), which would require all Florida municipalities to allow at least one ADU by right on single-family lots by December 1, 2026. SB 48 has passed all three Senate committees 22-0 and heads to a full Senate vote. A predecessor (SB 184, 2025) passed both chambers in substance but died on the final session day over short-term rental provisions. If SB 48 passes, it would open backyard tiny homes on permanent foundations statewide.

Hurricane and wind codes are the biggest Florida-specific consideration. Wind-load requirements range from 130 mph inland to 185 mph in the Miami-Dade High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Coastal homes need impact-resistant windows or shutters, reinforced roof-to-wall connections, and engineering documentation. Many coastal zones also require flood elevation certificates and may mandate raised foundations.

For THOWs, RVIA certification is strongly recommended. It simplifies DMV registration, enables RV-park placement, and opens up financing and insurance options. NOAH certification is an alternative for self-builders. Builders like Movable Roots build to ANSI 119.5 standards, which is the park model RV standard accepted across Florida.