Tiny Home

Tiny Home on Wheels (THOWs)

Foundation & Mobility

Permanent, they often need to meet local building codes similar to regular homes.

Built on trailers, offering the unique advantage of mobility, which categorizes them more closely with RVs in many legal senses.

Legal & Zoning Implications

Subject to residential building codes and zoning regulations, although they still may face challenges in areas with minimum size requirements.

The mobile nature of THOWs often fall into a gray area, which can be a pro or con depending on the jurisdiction. One could run into issues with being able to legally inhabit them long-term or it could allow them to use them in more locations becuase they don’t have a foundation restricting their placement.

Utility Connections

Must connect directly to public utilities or private systems for water, electricity, and sewer services similar to conventional homes.

Often uses a combination of standard and off-grid solutions. Being mobile they can connect to RV-style hookups for water and power when available.

Customization & Constuction

Building on a permanent foundation allows for more customization in design and materials and can be larger because they are not restricted by road-legal size limits.

Must be built to endure the rigors of road travel, which necessitates lighter materials and often a more compact design because they must adhere to size and weight restrictions.

Resale Value & Market

Can be influenced by the same facts as traditional homes, such as location, land value, and community amenities.

Can be more variable, depending heavily on the condition of the home, ease of mobility, and the potential buyer pool due to the customized nature of THOW living.