Utah is one of the more tiny-home-friendly Mountain West states, combining statewide IRC Appendix Q adoption with aggressive ADU reform. SB 174 (2021) legalized internal ADUs statewide in owner-occupied single-family homes, and SB 44 (2024) expanded ADU rights further by limiting the fees and design restrictions cities can impose. Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden all have workable ADU pathways for foundation-built tiny homes.
Updated April 2026
As of April 2026, Utah is one of the more workable Western states for tiny home buyers who go the foundation ADU route. The combination of statewide IRC Appendix Q adoption, SB 174’s internal ADU mandate, and SB 44’s 2024 reforms gives homeowners a clear technical and legal path for a permitted tiny dwelling. Salt Lake City is the clearest urban market — it’s had a formal ADU ordinance since 2018 and added pre-approved standard plans in 2023 — while Provo, Orem, and the rest of the Wasatch Front are catching up under state preemption.
The cleanest long-term Utah strategy is a foundation ADU on an owner-occupied single-family lot. Under SB 174, nearly every Utah city must allow at least one internal ADU by right in a primary dwelling, and most Wasatch Front municipalities also permit detached ADUs in common residential zones. Salt Lake City has the most developed program, including a homeowner handbook and five pre-approved standard plans that cut design costs substantially. Provo and Ogden both allow detached ADUs under their standard R1 zoning with design review. West Jordan and West Valley City — the state’s second- and third-largest cities — have both adopted ADU ordinances consistent with SB 174 and allow detached units in several districts.
Park City and Summit County permit ADUs in specific resort and residential zones but apply strict design standards and nightly-rental restrictions. For THOWs, Utah classifies them as RVs — placement is limited to licensed RV parks, manufactured home communities, or unincorporated rural land where local zoning permits long-term RV occupancy. Grand County (Moab), Emery County, and parts of San Juan County have the most flexible enforcement on private rural parcels, though permit and septic rules still apply for any permanent structure.
Front Range Tiny is the tiny home builder most consistently listed as serving Utah, delivering custom THOWs and park-model units across the Mountain West. Out-of-state builders that regularly ship to Utah include Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses (Durango, CO) and Mint Tiny House Company (British Columbia), both of which have completed multiple Utah deliveries. Local framing and modular contractors increasingly offer foundation-built tiny homes and ADUs under the SB 174 framework, often working from Salt Lake City’s pre-approved plan set to streamline permits.
Utah classifies tiny homes on wheels as recreational vehicles. As RVs, THOWs are governed by Utah DMV titling rules and state RV regulations for road use, including 8.5-foot width limits. You generally cannot live full-time in a THOW on a standard residential lot, but you can place one at a licensed RV park, manufactured home community, or on rural unincorporated land where local zoning permits such use.
Foundation-built tiny homes must comply with the Utah State Construction Code, which adopts the 2021 International Residential Code including Appendix Q. Appendix Q applies to dwellings under 400 square feet and allows reduced ceiling heights (6 ft 8 in minimum in lofts), compact stairs, and alternative loft access. Because Utah adopts the code statewide, Appendix Q applies uniformly across jurisdictions — a meaningful advantage over states where adoption varies city by city.
Under SB 174, most Utah cities must allow at least one internal ADU by right in owner-occupied single-family homes. SB 44 (2024) tightened that protection by capping impact fees, limiting owner-occupancy enforcement periods, and restricting the design standards cities can impose. Detached ADUs remain subject to local zoning, but nearly every Wasatch Front city now permits them in standard residential districts. Always confirm lot-specific setback, height, and parking rules with your local planning department before buying or building.
As of April 2026, THOWs are classified as recreational vehicles under Utah law and cannot serve as a primary residence on a standard residential lot. Full-time THOW living is restricted to licensed RV parks, manufactured home communities, and rural unincorporated land where local zoning permits long-term RV occupancy. Several rural Utah counties — including Emery, Grand, and parts of San Juan — have lenient enforcement on unincorporated parcels.
Utah SB 174, passed in 2021, requires most municipalities to allow at least one internal accessory dwelling unit by right in any owner-occupied single-family home within a residential zone. SB 44, passed in 2024, expanded those protections by capping impact fees, limiting owner-occupancy enforcement, and restricting the design standards cities can impose. Detached ADUs are still governed by local zoning.
Utah has no statewide minimum square footage requirement for dwellings. The State Construction Code adopts IRC Appendix Q, which defines tiny houses as 400 square feet or less and sets a minimum habitable room size of 70 square feet. Individual cities may set higher minimums through local zoning — verify with your jurisdiction before building.
Salt Lake City has the most developed ADU framework in the state, with pre-approved plans and citywide detached ADU allowances. Provo, Ogden, and Park City also permit detached ADUs under specific zoning districts. For THOWs, rural unincorporated parcels in Grand, Emery, and parts of San Juan County offer the broadest flexibility.
For THOWs, RVIA (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association) and NOAH (National Organization of Alternative Housing) are the primary certifications. RVIA certification classifies the home as an RV for titling and registration with the Utah DMV. For foundation-built tiny homes, compliance with IRC Appendix Q through your local building department is the primary path. Certified builds are significantly easier to finance and insure.
As of April 2026, Utah is one of the strongest Mountain West states for foundation-built tiny homes because the State Construction Code adopts IRC Appendix Q, giving dwellings under 400 square feet a direct technical code path. Land-use rules are still set locally, but the state has overridden local resistance to internal ADUs through Senate Bill 174 (2021) and expanded protections through Senate Bill 44 (2024).
As of April 2026, SB 174 requires most Utah cities to allow at least one internal accessory dwelling unit by right in any owner-occupied single-family home within a residential zone. SB 44 tightened that rule in 2024 by capping the impact fees cities can charge on ADUs, limiting owner-occupancy restrictions, and narrowing the design standards jurisdictions can impose. Detached ADUs are still subject to local discretion, but most Wasatch Front cities — including Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and Park City — now permit detached ADUs under specific zoning districts.
As of April 2026, tiny homes on wheels are classified as recreational vehicles in Utah and cannot legally serve as a primary residence on a standard residential lot. THOWs must be parked in licensed RV parks, manufactured home communities, or on rural unincorporated land where local zoning allows long-term RV occupancy. Verify current requirements with your local planning department before buying land or a unit.
Verify current requirements with your local planning department.
Utah SB 174 (2021) — Statewide Internal ADU Act
2021As of April 2026, SB 174 requires most Utah municipalities to allow at least one internal ADU by right in owner-occupied single-family homes within residential zones. Cities cannot require a conditional use permit, impose a minimum lot size above the zone's standard, or require additional parking beyond one space.
Utah SB 44 (2024) — ADU Amendments
2024As of April 2026, SB 44 expanded ADU rights by capping municipal impact fees on ADUs, limiting owner-occupancy enforcement, and narrowing the design standards cities can impose. The bill targets common local workarounds used to discourage ADU construction.
Utah State Construction Code / IRC Appendix Q
2021As of April 2026, Utah's statewide construction code adopts the 2021 IRC including Appendix Q, giving foundation-built tiny homes under 400 square feet a direct technical code pathway with reduced ceiling heights, compact stairs, and alternative loft access.
Salt Lake City ADU Ordinance (2018, amended 2023)
2023As of April 2026, Salt Lake City permits both attached and detached ADUs citywide in most residential zones. The 2023 amendments added pre-approved standard plans, reduced permit review times, and published a homeowner handbook to streamline the process.
Communities, resort villages, and parking economics to watch in Utah.
We do not have community records for this state yet. Start with county planning departments, RV parks that accept long-term stays, and private-lot hosts who can document legal utility hookups.
Salt Lake City metro
$700–$1,100/mo
The most expensive market in the state. Options are mostly full-service RV parks and extended-stay campgrounds. Salt Lake City KOA in West Valley City offers monthly rates with full hookups. Pony Express RV Resort in North Salt Lake provides long-term stays with 30/50-amp service.
Utah Valley (Provo/Orem)
$600–$900/mo
Growing tiny home interest driven by BYU and UVU student demand. Lakeside RV Campground in Provo offers monthly rates near Utah Lake. Frontier Village RV in Springville provides full-hookup long-term sites.
Park City / Summit County
$900–$1,500/mo
The highest costs in the state, driven by resort demand. Park City does permit detached ADUs in specific zones but THOW-friendly spots are limited to private rural parcels in surrounding Summit County.
St. George / Washington County
$550–$850/mo
Desert climate and more permissive rural zoning make southwest Utah attractive. Temple View RV Resort and Sand Hollow RV Resort both offer extended-stay monthly rates.
Rural Utah (Emery, Grand, San Juan)
$300–$500/mo
The broadest flexibility in the state. Unincorporated parcels often allow long-term RV occupancy with minimal enforcement. Moab offers several extended-stay RV options tied to the tourism economy but prices spike in peak season.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas shipping container home builder founded in 2017 by Tony Lopez. Transforms one-trip steel containers into fully livable spaces — primary residences, ADUs, Airbnb rentals, and guest houses — in 20 ft ($48 k), 30 ft ($71 k), and 40 ft ($82 k) models. Over 150 projects completed as of May 2026. Recognized by HGTV, Dwell, and Business Insider as a premier tiny-home builder.
Service areas: Nevada, California, Utah
Snellville, Georgia
Dragon Tiny Homes is a THOW manufacturer based in Snellville, Georgia, operating from a large indoor facility at 3864 Centerville Highway. Widely cited as the largest tiny home builder in Georgia as of May 2026, Dragon builds its own custom steel trailers in-house and offers multiple production models — including the Genesis, Vista, Avalon, Webster, Sora, Fairfax, and the entry-level 16-foot Element — as well as fully custom builds. All homes are NOAH certified and Dragon is registered with NHTSA as a Completed Vehicle Manufacturer (MID #22031). Delivery is available nationwide in the continental US; delivery cost is $3 per mile from their Snellville shop.
Service areas: Georgia, National
Danville, Georgia
Hummingbird Tiny Housing is one of the Southeast's first tiny home builders, established in 2014 in Danville, Georgia (Central Georgia). The company draws on 38 years of construction experience to produce custom tiny houses on wheels — all built on purpose-built tiny house trailers — with signature features including wood floors, retractable porches, and custom interiors. Models include the Daisy and Magnolia. Hummingbird has delivered homes nationwide and has been featured on HGTV's Tiny House Hunters, House Hunters, and DIY Network's Tiny House, Big Living. The company also operates vacation tiny home rentals on their 10-acre Danville property.
Service areas: Georgia, National
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque-based tiny home builder offering custom tiny houses on wheels (THOW), foundation-built tiny homes, and off-grid structures. Owner Ryan Martinez operates the workshop at 10008 Cochiti Rd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87123. Homes start at $82,000 as of May 2026. Authorized builder for the City of Albuquerque and delivers nationwide.
Service areas: New Mexico, National
Thayne, Wyoming
Mountain West Modulars is a Thayne, Wyoming dealer for manufactured, modular, park model, and tiny homes. Its tiny homes page lists tiny homes and tiny cabins from manufacturers such as Platinum Cottages, Cavco Homes, and Woodland Park, while the main site advertises service across Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah.
Service areas: Wyoming, Idaho, Utah
Monterey, Tennessee
Monterey, Tennessee builder crafting Scandinavian-inspired Park Model Recreational Vehicles (PMRVs) from a workshop in the Upper Cumberland Plateau. All models are built to the ANSI 119.5 NOAH+ standard and delivered across Tennessee and the lower 48 states. As of May 2026, the company has completed 70+ homes with a five-person team.
Service areas: Tennessee, National
Conway, South Carolina
Conway, South Carolina THOW builder founded in 2017 by Spencer Sousa, who built his first tiny house at age 16. Handcrafts custom tiny homes on wheels ranging from 24 ft to 42 ft in length; delivers throughout the United States. Annual revenue of approximately $402,000 in 2025 confirms active operations. Active Facebook presence and a five-review Birdeye profile confirm current business activity as of May 2026.
Service areas: National, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia
Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina THOW builder producing custom tiny homes on wheels for full-time living, short-term rentals, and everything in between. Homes are built in-house at their Greenville shop and can be picked up locally or delivered anywhere in the continental United States through third-party transport partners, as of May 2026. Strong presence in the South Carolina upstate market.
Service areas: National, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida
Emmett, Idaho
Family-owned RVIA-certified tiny house builder in Emmett, Idaho, producing custom tiny homes on wheels since 2014. Ships completed homes to customers across the United States and internationally.
Service areas: Idaho, national
Salt Lake City, Utah
Wheelhaus builds luxury tiny houses, modular homes, and park-model cabins delivered on wheels and turn-key ready for use. Founder Jamie Mackay was raised in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the company maintains a Wyoming phone contact while marketing small-footprint homes for resort, hospitality, and personal retreat settings.
Service areas: Wyoming, Utah
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Traditional home path
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$1,500–$2,500/mo
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