Frequently Asked Questions
We know that buying a tiny home is a big decision, and you may have some questions. That’s why we’ve compiled answers to the questions we get asked most often. We want to make sure you feel comfortable and fully informed throughout the entire process.
If these answers don’t address your concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out using our contact form. We are here to help! Our goal is to ensure you have all the information you need to confidently take the next step in your tiny home journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about buying, financing, and placing a park model tiny home in Oregon, Washington, and beyond.
What is a park model RV tiny home?
A park model RV tiny home is a small home built to ANSI A119.5 standards and limited to 400 square feet of interior living space. They are perfect for use as a backyard guest house, in-law suite, vacation getaway, or compact full-time residence.
While they are technically movable, park models are intended to stay in place long-term and connect to standard utilities just like a traditional home. Each model is crafted with high-quality materials, modern finishes, and smart use of space, offering a comfortable, energy-efficient living experience that feels anything but temporary.
These homes combine the flexibility of an RV with the comfort and craftsmanship of a site-built home, making them a popular and affordable alternative to a traditional ADU or small house.
How much does a park model tiny home cost?
Our park model tiny homes start at $49,900. Final pricing depends on the model you choose, your customization selections, and any upgrades.
We post our pricing upfront. No inflated numbers. No dramatic discounts. What you see is what you pay.
What is included in the base price?
The base price includes the home with standard interior and exterior finishes, standard plumbing, sink, full bathroom, refrigerator, range and stove, and hot water heater. It is a complete, move-in ready home.
Any additional customization, premium upgrades, site preparation, utility connections, and transport are quoted separately so you always know exactly what you are paying for.
Do you offer customization options?
Yes. We offer a wide range of customization options from flooring and countertops to cabinetry, hardware, and exterior finishes. You can personalize your home inside and out to suit your lifestyle and taste.
Can I finance a park model tiny home?
Yes. We have partnered with 21st Mortgage Corporation, the nation's top lender for manufactured and tiny homes and a Berkshire Hathaway company, to make financing straightforward and flexible.
Whether you are buying for yourself, your family, or as an investment, 21st Mortgage offers loan programs designed specifically for park model RV financing. You are also welcome to use your own lender.
What credit score do I need to finance a park model tiny home?
There is no single cutoff. Our financing partners work with a wide range of credit profiles. As with any loan, a stronger credit score typically means better interest rates, lower down payment requirements, and more flexible terms.
- Higher credit scores generally qualify for lower rates and smaller down payments
- Lower credit scores may still qualify but may require a larger down payment or higher rate
- Our team can help connect you with 21st Mortgage to find out where you stand before you commit to anything
Do I need insurance for a park model tiny home?
Yes, and it is typically affordable. Because park model tiny homes are classified as RVs under ANSI A119.5, they are covered through RV or park model-specific policies rather than standard homeowners insurance.
Annual premiums commonly run between $300 and $800 depending on coverage, location, and replacement cost. Major carriers including Progressive, Foremost, and National General write park model policies. Your lender will typically require active insurance as a condition of financing.
Will a park model tiny home raise my property taxes?
In most cases, no. Park model tiny homes are titled as RVs under ANSI A119.5 and are considered personal property, not real property. They do not add to your home's assessed value the way an ADU or site-built addition would.
RV registration or personal property tax may still apply depending on your state, but you avoid the permanent property tax increase that comes with traditional construction. Always confirm with your county assessor before placement.
Is a park model tiny home considered an ADU?
No, it is not technically an ADU, but it serves the same purpose. Park models are sometimes referred to as MDUs, or Mobile Dwelling Units, to describe their role as homes that are titled as RVs but used as permanent residences.
Many people use our homes as a backyard or side-yard living space for family, guests, or rental income, one of the most popular and affordable ways to add a private living area to your property without the cost and timeline of building a traditional ADU.
Our homes are classified as Park Model RVs under ANSI A119.5 standards. Because they are built on a chassis with wheels, they are considered temporary structures rather than real property. That means no increase to your property taxes, no costly impact fees, and typically only simple permits for utility hookups.
Local rules vary by city and county, so always confirm what is allowed in your area before purchasing.
What is an MDU (Mobile Dwelling Unit)?
MDU stands for Mobile Dwelling Unit. It is a legislative and industry term for a home that serves as a residence but is titled as an RV rather than as real property.
Park Model RVs built to ANSI A119.5 standards and tiny houses on wheels are the most common types of MDU. The term is being formalized in housing legislation across the Pacific Northwest.
In Washington, HB 1443 used the term "mobile dwelling" formally as a statewide MDU legalization bill. It was introduced in the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions but did not pass. Similar legislation is expected to return in future sessions as Washington continues to address housing supply.
Oregon has already moved in this direction. Portland legalized one MDU per residential lot in 2021. Oregon SB 1013, passed in 2023, opens MDU placement on qualifying rural land in counties that adopt it.
Every NW Tiny Homes park model fits the mobile dwelling category under these frameworks.
What is Washington HB 1443?
Washington HB 1443 was proposed state legislation that would have legalized one mobile dwelling per residential lot in cities and counties planning under the state's Growth Management Act. It was introduced in the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions as an extension of Washington's 2023 ADU legalization, but did not pass in either session.
The bill defined a "mobile dwelling" as a recreational vehicle (travel trailer, fifth-wheel, motor home, truck camper, folding camping trailer) or a tiny house with wheels. Park model tiny homes fit under this definition.
The bill would have:
- Required urban growth area cities and counties to allow at least one mobile dwelling per residential lot with an existing primary home
- Set utility connection standards (dedicated 20-amp GFCI electrical, plus approved water and sewer hookups if the unit has internal plumbing)
- Prevented HOAs and condominium associations from prohibiting mobile dwellings on covered lots
- Prohibited cities from inspecting the dwelling itself, only the utility hookups
A Senate companion, SB 5332, was introduced alongside it. Similar legislation is expected to return in future sessions as Washington continues to address housing supply, so the mobile dwelling framework HB 1443 proposed remains relevant for understanding where statewide rules may be headed.
What is the difference between a park model and an ADU?
Same purpose, very different process and cost.
| Park Model Tiny Home | ADU | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | From $49,900 | $200,000 - $400,000+ |
| Timeline | 8 to 14 weeks | 12 to 24 months |
| Permits | RV placement approval | Full residential building permits |
| Foundation | Gravel or concrete pad | Full foundation required |
| Property Tax | Typically none | Increases assessed value |
| Flexibility | Can be relocated | Permanent |
A park model is not a workaround. It is a legitimate, code-built home that follows RV classification rules, and that classification is exactly what keeps the cost and timeline so much more manageable.
Can I put a tiny home in my backyard in Oregon?
Yes, in most Oregon cities and counties. Rules vary by jurisdiction. Many Oregon counties allow one occupied Park Model RV on a developed residential lot that already has a primary home.
Portland is one of the easiest cities on the West Coast for backyard placement. Oregon SB 1013, passed in 2023, also opens placement on qualifying rural land in counties that have adopted it. Always verify with your local planning department before purchase.
Can I put a tiny home in my backyard in Portland, Oregon?
Yes, and Portland is one of the easiest cities on the West Coast to do it. The city allows one occupied Park Model RV or tiny home on wheels per lot, placed behind the front face of the main house, on a developed residential lot that already has a primary home.
You do not need a full building permit. You will need standard RV utility hookups for power, water, and sewer, and a gravel or concrete pad.
Can I put a tiny home in my backyard in Washington State?
Yes, in most Washington cities and counties. Rules vary by jurisdiction. Many Puget Sound and Western Washington areas allow one occupied Park Model RV on a developed residential lot that already has a primary home, similar to Portland's rules.
Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Skagit counties each have their own placement requirements. Statewide legislation (Washington HB 1443) that would have standardized these rules was introduced in 2025 and 2026 but did not pass. Similar bills are expected to return in future sessions.
Our Snohomish, Washington location serves the Washington market directly and helps buyers confirm what their specific jurisdiction allows.
Can I live in a park model tiny home full-time?
Yes, in many areas. Full-time occupancy is decided by local rules, not the home itself.
Portland allows one occupied Park Model RV per residential lot behind the front face of the primary home. Many Oregon and Washington counties allow full-time occupancy on properties with an existing primary residence. Oregon SB 1013 opens full-time placement on qualifying rural land in counties that have adopted it.
Always verify with the local planning department before buying with full-time use in mind.
Can I place a park model tiny home on raw land in Oregon?
Yes, in many rural Oregon counties, thanks to Oregon SB 1013. Passed in 2023, SB 1013 allows one Tiny House On Wheels or Park Model RV as a residence on rural residential or farm land, subject to county adoption.
Washington, Marion, Polk, Jackson, Yamhill, and Linn counties are actively working through adoption. Rules vary by county, so confirm with the local planning department before buying land or a home with raw land placement in mind.
Will my HOA allow a park model tiny home?
Possibly. Check your CC&Rs before you buy. Many HOAs have restrictions on RVs, accessory structures, or visible outbuildings that can block park model placement. Some communities allow park models specifically; others prohibit any structure classified as an RV.
Read your covenants carefully and request written approval from your HOA board before purchase. Properties outside of an HOA are not affected by this.
Can I use a park model tiny home as a rental or Airbnb?
Many people do. Whether short-term or long-term rental use is allowed on your property depends on your city and county rules, which vary widely. Always confirm with your local planning or zoning department before purchasing with rental intent.
Park model tiny homes are one of the most cost-effective ways to add rental income to your property without the expense of building a traditional ADU.
What site preparation is required before delivery?
Your property needs to be ready before the home arrives. The basics include a clear access path for the transport truck, a level gravel or concrete pad, and RV-style utility hookups for power, water, and sewer or septic.
Do I need sewer, or can I use a septic system?
Either works. Park model tiny homes connect to standard residential utilities. If your property has city sewer service, a simple RV-style sewer hookup is all you need. If you are on a septic system, a licensed installer can tie the home into your existing tank provided it has the capacity for an additional unit.
Rural placements often require a septic evaluation before final permitting. Your county environmental health department handles septic approval.
How long does it take to build and deliver a park model tiny home?
Build time is typically 8 to 14 weeks once your order is submitted and payment is complete, depending on the manufacturer's current schedule and your customization selections.
Delivery and setup typically occur within 1 to 4 weeks after completion depending on your location and site conditions. We keep you informed throughout the entire process.
Do you deliver park model tiny homes anywhere in the USA?
Yes. We are based in Portland, Oregon with a second location in Snohomish, Washington, and primarily serve Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, and throughout the West.
We can arrange delivery throughout the continental US. Shipping costs increase significantly the farther the home travels from the Pacific Northwest, so we recommend getting a transport estimate early in your process.
How do you handle delivery and setup?
We coordinate delivery with trusted heavy haul and wide load transport partners to secure the best available rate. You are also welcome to use your own transport company.
When delivery is arranged through our partners, they handle route approvals with the state Department of Transportation, required permits, and pilot cars, all as a flat transport price so there are no surprises.
If your site has limited access where a semi truck cannot reach the final placement location, a crawler may be required at an additional cost. We help identify this early in the process whenever possible.
Where are NW Tiny Homes homes manufactured?
Our homes are manufactured in Woodburn, Oregon and Weiser, Idaho by two of the nation's top manufactured homebuilders, Cavco Homes (formerly Fleetwood) and Champion Homes. Established, trusted manufacturers with consistent quality and reliable production timelines.
Is there a warranty on my park model tiny home?
Yes. Every home comes with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
We also have an in-house warranty team ready to handle repairs after delivery and available down the road if anything comes up. You are not on your own once the truck leaves.
How long do park model tiny homes last?
30 to 50 years or more with proper care. Park model tiny homes built to ANSI A119.5 standards use the same core construction methods as manufactured and site-built homes: framed walls, real insulation, full roofing systems, and standard residential finishes.
Roof, siding, and mechanical systems age on timelines similar to a traditional home. Regular maintenance, proper site drainage, and winterization in cold climates have the biggest impact on long-term lifespan.
Can I move my tiny home later if I want to relocate?
Yes. Park model tiny homes are designed to be semi-mobile. They can be moved but require a professional transport company and proper setup at the new site, the same process as the original delivery.