Deciding on a Tiny Home in the Lone Star State

As the popularity of tiny houses continues to grow, those living throughout Texas are pleased to know Texas has embraced tiny home living. While many towns have zoning laws that prohibit tiny houses because they are too small, this is not a fact across our state. Since Texas adopted Appendix Q from the 2018 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC), the state has been extremely accommodating toward tiny homes. Tiny homes are now permitted across much of Texas, but there are rules you must follow to ensure your tiny home meets legal standards.

According to the IRC, your tiny home must not exceed 400 square feet and must have a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet and 8 inches. If you’re planning to build a tiny home in Texas, you’ll need to obtain the necessary building permits before construction begins. After completion, your home will need to pass all required inspections before it can be approved for occupancy.

Perks to Tiny Houses

Affordability: These houses are generally less costly to build than a traditionally-sized home. Tiny houses require less building materials, smaller lot sizes, and fewer furnishings. This is something to get excited about if you’re working on a tight budget.  

Mobility Options: If you’re lifestyle includes a love of travel and you want the option to take your home with you, tiny houses can be built as mobile-friendly. Having a home built on trailer can be exactly the right fit for homeowners of all ages and interests.

Opportunity to be Outdoors: When your lifestyle includes less square footage inside, it’s natural to head outdoors. This can be a perk for those craving more fresh-air and open spaces. With the addition of a porch or patio, you can enjoy a morning cup of coffee watching a sunrise or sunset dining after a hectic day.

Cons to Tiny Living

Reduced Space: When the maximize size of living space is 400 feet, it leads to being selective about how many material things can be stored as well as thinking about how this limited living space can be multi-purposed. For instance, the stairs to a loft could double as storage cubbies.  The dining table may be hinged to drop-down and open up more space when not in use. Those who practice minimalism are especially attracted to and do well adapting to the tiny home lifestyle.

Reduced Privacy: The openness of these homes includes a lack of privacy compared to traditional homes.

Hosting Guests: If you thrive on welcoming guests into your home for get-togethers and parties, space is limited indoors. This may mean instead of a dinner or celebration for six to eight, you host intimate gatherings with up to two additional guests.

Reduced Sizes: Everything from kitchen appliances to furnishings such as a bed or sofa are often installed in reduced sizes. Your kitchen stove may have only one or two burners. The sofa may double with hide-away storage underneath.

Modified Plumbing: If your tiny house is mobile, your unit will have water tanks and most likely a toilet that is waterless or is smart composting—similar to what you’d find in a RV trailer. Tiny houses built on foundations on their own lot have more options to get water/sewer hook-ups.

Connecting with Tiny Home Builders

When you’re ready to build your own tiny dwelling and you’ve bought a lot, your next step is to choose a trusted and experience tiny home builder. Here are several builders serving the Houston area:

Small House Solutions
Located at 2132 Bissonnet St., Suite 100, Houston, TX

Specializing in a variety of home types and structures including: Backyard Homes (ADU's), Accessory Structures (Studios, Pool Houses, Offices), Granny Flats, and Mother-in-Law Suites. For more details visit www.buyasmallhouse.com

HTX Tiny Homes
Located at 1880 South Dairy Ashford Rd, Suite 207 #482, Houston, TX

Go from design to complete construction with HTX Tiny Homes. Their team provides turnkey, move-in ready spaces, equipped with all appliances, to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience for homeowners. Get more information at www.htxtinyhomes.com

Inbox Buildings
Located at 3989 Dixie Farm Rd., Pearland, TX

Featuring luxury living spaces at an affordable price is what Inbox Buildings does exceptionally well. These models which are built to hitch to a vehicle are crafted for the travel/adventure lifestyle. Learn more at www.inboxbuildings.com

Little Homes of Texas
Located at 15788 Interstate 45 S., Conroe, TX

Little Homes of Texas teams up with a short list of tiny home and park model home builders to offer homeowners a diverse selection of homes. For more details visit www.littlehomesoftexas.com

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, and #2 in 2022. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.