Tiny Home Resources: Checklists, Tiny Home Land & Location Checklist & Planning Tools

• Identify the city, county, and other authorities responsible for the property.
• Confirm the property’s zoning designation.
• Ask whether the intended type of tiny home is permitted.
• Determine whether the home will be classified as a dwelling, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), recreational vehicle, manufactured home, or another category.
• Confirm whether full-time occupancy is allowed.
• Check minimum dwelling sizes and other applicable building requirements.
• Investigate setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and other development restrictions.
• Determine which permits, approvals, or inspections may be required.
• Ask whether any special restrictions apply to the property.

• Confirm that the property has legal access from a public road or a valid access easement.
• Check road conditions, driveway width, slope, and seasonal accessibility.
• Determine whether a delivery truck, crane, or towing vehicle can reach the proposed building area.
• Review available boundary surveys and property records.
• Identify easements, rights-of-way, and other restrictions on the land.
• Check whether fences, roads, or existing structures cross property boundaries.
• Determine whether shared roads or access routes involve maintenance agreements or fees.

• Identify a suitable area for placing the home.
• Review slopes, drainage, soil conditions, and potential erosion.
• Check for flood hazards, wildfire exposure, and other location-specific risks.
• Consider prevailing winds, sun exposure, shade, and seasonal weather.
• Look for trees, rock, or other obstacles that may affect construction or delivery.
• Determine whether grading, excavation, retaining walls, or vegetation removal may be necessary.
• Confirm that the proposed location can meet applicable setbacks and other site requirements.

• Confirm whether public electricity is available and determine the connection cost.
• Identify the intended water source, such as a public supply, well, or permitted alternative.
• Determine how wastewater will be handled through sewer, septic, or another approved system.
• Investigate internet and cellular coverage.
• Check whether utility connections require easements, permits, or off-site work.
• Estimate the cost of trenching, wiring, plumbing, and other installations.
• Consider whether the property can support any planned off-grid systems.
• Confirm any requirements for stormwater management or drainage.

• Estimate survey, soil testing, and site assessment costs.
• Investigate permit fees and required professional services.
• Estimate driveway, grading, drainage, and site preparation costs.
• Obtain realistic estimates for water, wastewater, electricity, and communications.
• Account for foundations, anchoring, or trailer-related site requirements.
• Investigate property taxes, insurance availability, and ongoing land costs.
• Allow for unexpected site conditions and construction expenses.

• Confirm delivery dimensions and access requirements with the builder or transporter.
• Check whether the route has restrictive turns, bridges, overhead lines, or weight limits.
• Determine where the home will be positioned and how it will be installed.
• Confirm that the intended placement is consistent with applicable approvals.
• Consider parking, outdoor storage, waste collection, and everyday access.
• Plan for maintenance access to utility equipment and the building exterior.
• Consider how the property will work in different seasons.

• Obtain important zoning and land-use information directly from the responsible authority.
• Request written confirmation or documentation where available and appropriate.
• Review title records, easements, restrictions, and relevant property documents.
• Investigate any unresolved issues with qualified professionals.
• Understand any contingencies or deadlines in your purchase agreement.
• Confirm that the expected total project cost fits your budget.
• Make sure the property supports your intended home and living arrangements.

Before moving forward, identify any unanswered questions that could change whether the property is suitable or affordable. Some issues can be resolved with additional research; others may require professional assessments, formal approvals, or a different property.

A property that looks ideal is not necessarily suitable for a tiny home. Confirm the important details before making an irreversible commitment.

This checklist is a starting point for research, not a guarantee of approval or a substitute for property-specific legal, engineering, environmental, or permitting advice.