Some people choose to live in tiny houses because they want to downsize and simplify their lives. Others believe that living in a smaller space is more environmentally friendly. Whatever the reason, if you’re considering a move to a tiny house, it’s important to research the regulations in your area to make sure you can do so legally.
Yes, Miami-Dade County does allow tiny houses on single-family lots under certain conditions. The house must be a minimum of 400 square feet, and the lot must be at least 5,000 square feet. Additionally, the house must meet all setback requirements, and it cannot exceed 30% of the lot’s total area.
Finally, the house must be considered a “secondary dwelling unit” and must meet all of the requirements for such units. You can find more information on the Miami-Dade County website.
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What Determines Whether You Can Have a Tiny Home in Miami?
The first thing you need to know is that in order to have a tiny home on your property in Miami, the house must be considered a “secondary dwelling unit” (SDU). According to the Miami-Dade County website, an SDU is:
“A self-contained living unit with its own private bathroom, kitchen and entrance. A secondary dwelling unit can be built within an existing single-family home, attached to the main home as an addition, or built as a separate structure on the same lot as the primary home.”
There are several other requirements that come along with having an SDU on your property. These include:
- The house must be 400 square feet or less
- The lot must be at least 5,000 square feet
- The house cannot exceed 30% of the lot’s total area
- The house must meet all setback requirements
- The house must be properly registered with the county
As long as you make sure your house meets all of the requirements, you should be able to have a tiny home on your property in Miami.
What Type of Tiny Homes Are Allowed in Miami?
There are three types of tiny homes that are allowed in Miami:
- Park model homes
- RVs
- Campers
Park model homes are the most permanent type of tiny home and must be placed in an RV park or camping resort. RV parks and camping resorts must have all the necessary amenities to support a tiny home, including water, electricity, and sewage hookups.
Additionally, park model homes must meet the Florida Building Code and be less than 400 square feet in size.
RVs and campers can be parked on any private property that has the owner’s permission, as well as in designated RV parks and campgrounds. RVs and campers must follow the same size restrictions as park model homes and must also meet the Florida Building Code.
How to Avoid Compliance Issues With a Tiny Home in Miami
Miami-Dade County is pretty lenient when it comes to allowing tiny homes, but there are still some regulations you need to be aware of. The best way to avoid any compliance issues is to make sure your house meets all of the requirements for an SDU.
You should also register your house with the county and obtain all the necessary permits before you begin construction. By taking these steps, you can avoid any potential problems down the road.
What About Other Cities in Florida?
Work With Us
Tiny homes are a popular housing choice for those who want to downsize or simplify their lives.
If you’re building a tiny home in Miami-Dade County and the stress of getting it built according to local regulations is getting to you, be sure to contact us at Never Too Tiny. We build custom tiny houses for people of all walks of life.
