Living small has grown more and more popular recently, both as a sustainable and affordable trend. You’ve probably heard of tiny homes through popular shows like Tiny House Big Living and seen them on social media, but ADUs can be a touch more niche, even though they sometimes look and function just like a tiny home.
Tiny homes and ADUs may seem to be the same, but legally they’re quite different – and we’ll explain how! We cover the pros and cons of each structure, along with how to choose one as a homeowner depending on your unique needs. As tiny home and ADU building specialists, we’re happy to answer your questions!
The Definitions to Know
When talking about the differences between ADUs and tiny homes, it’s best to know what each term actually means.
What Is a Tiny Home?
A tiny home is any home with less than 500 square feet in its floor plan. The actual square footage definition for a tiny home varies, but most agree that tiny homes’ square footage is under 400 or 500 ft.
Tiny homes can be found on foundations or on wheels to make them mini portable mobile homes. However, tiny homes on wheels are legally a type of recreational vehicle (RV), which may change their tax status to vehicle rather than property taxes.
What Is an ADU?
An accessory dwelling unit, also known as an ADU, is built as a secondary independent unit on the same land lot as a pre-existing single-family home. They are not attached to the main home, but are built on permanent foundations. They can function as studios, vacation rentals and granny flats for elderly family members.
ADUs are often a little larger than tiny homes, and can be simpler to build thanks to residential zoning regulations.
Tiny Home Vs. ADU: The Key Difference
The biggest difference between tiny homes and ADUs is that ADUs must sit on a pre-existing lot that is also occupied by a single-family household.
So what does that mean? Basically, it means that ADUs are required to be satellite buildings to a main family home. Tiny homes can be mobile or standalone, occupying their own lot or traveling.
Tiny Home Pros and Cons
The options still sound pretty similar. So, why choose a tiny home?
Pros
Tiny homes might work best for you if you prefer:
- Simplicity: Tiny homes guarantee simple, small living spaces. They boast a small carbon footprint and are very sustainable.
- Efficiency: Tiny homes can be quicker to build depending on the size of ADU. They may also skip a permanent foundation or other time-consuming processes like utility hookups.
- Mobility: Tiny homes are often simple to transport and can be built on wheels. This allows you to travel at your leisure in your home.
- Privacy: Unlike ADUs, tiny homes aren’t required to be on a property with another home. You can enjoy your own independent space.
Cons
Tiny homes might not be your best bet if you:
- Want your tiny house to be a permanent residence. Tiny homes can be very difficult to acquire residential permits for, since they are often too small for zoning laws.
- Want a mobile tiny home. These can be legally challenging since they’re classed as RVs. They also must be compliant with RV codes and taxes in this case.
- Want to resell quickly. Tiny homes can be difficult to resell if your area isn’t trending for them, and many people find them too cramped.
- Need an accessible home. Tiny homes often have loft bedroom styles with ladders to save space, which may not be feasible for someone with mobility issues.
The Pros and Cons of ADUs
While an ADU may be more rigid in terms of its placement, it can actually be far more profitable and customizable in the grand scheme of things.
Pros
Some of the reasons an ADU might be the right choice for you:
- Legal legitimacy: ADUs tend to be more compliant with zoning and permitting laws. They are simpler to classify.
- Added real estate value: ADUs not only improve the value of your property, but also provide a way to make extra income through renting out the ADU.
- Multipurpose: Since an ADU is unlikely to be your main residence, you may also be using it for tools, storage, or renting.
- More sizes & space: ADUs can be much larger than tiny homes if necessary, providing more space to work with.
- Great for accessibility: ADUs have more space that allow for accessibility features to be built in, such as handles, ramps, and one-story floor plans that don’t require stairs.
Cons
There are a few reasons you may not want to opt for an ADU, such as:
- Lack of mobility: ADUs cannot be relocated, as they are built onto a permanent foundation.
- Privacy concerns: If you’re intending on using an ADU as a residence for yourself, family members or renters, the proximity to another home may not be ideal for privacy.
- Possible increased construction expenses: If your ADU is larger than a tiny home, it’s likely going to be more expensive and time-intensive to build.
What to Know About Tiny Homes & ADUs
Deciding what kind of small space is best for you and your family is a deeply personal choice. If you need extra room and want to stay put for some time, then an ADU might be perfect for you. If you’re okay with sacrificing a little space for increased freedom, a tiny home might be ideal instead!
We did want to take an aside to mention other considerations while trying to build a tiny home or an ADU.
Building Codes & Zoning Codes
Tiny homes and ADUs can vary in legality depending on your state, city and specific neighborhood. Some common concerns that can pop up are:
- Minimum square footage requirements: Many building codes specify a minimum square footage for residential dwellings, which tiny homes often fail to meet.
- Utility connections: Building codes may mandate that homes are connected to municipal utilities (like your water, sewer, electricity, etc). Mobile tiny homes likely won’t comply with these codes.
- Land use restrictions: Zoning laws often dictate how land can be used, including the types of dwellings permitted in certain areas.
- Density regulations: Many areas have zoning regulations that control the density of housing, such as the number of dwelling units per acre.
Plus, depending on your area, your codes might require additional parking spaces, separate entrances, or have mandatory setback requirements for your tiny home or ADU’s placement.
There are lots of questions about tiny home and ADU laws, and there aren’t overarching regulations where one-size-fits-all. For example, knowing where you can build a tiny home in Colorado requires a lot of research specific to your situation, all the way down to your local HOA rules.
We recommend talking with your local tiny home builders to find out if building in your area is possible, since the rules can even vary by neighborhood!
Insurance Policies
Insuring a tiny home or an ADU may also come with its own hurdles. As we mentioned earlier, a mobile tiny home on wheels is likely to be classed as an RV, making it hard to determine what type of insurance policy you need. That’s not the only potential problem, though.
If your ADU or tiny home is a DIY project, you may also find you’re running into much higher insurance premiums, since safety regulations and building codes might not have made it into the DIY plan. Another potential issue is that if you never consulted with a professional builder before placing your ADU or tiny home, violation of zoning regulations may void your insurance coverage.
In short, to avoid high insurance premiums and coverage concerns, we always recommend consulting and working with a professional licensed builder to have your tiny home constructed.
The Bottom Line on Tiny Homes vs. ADUs
In the end, both an ADU and a tiny home are great options to try living small. They both have great features and minor drawbacks, which you’ll want to consider which is the best for you. Your own lifestyle and preferences should make the decision for your home in the end.
Once you settle on an ADU or tiny home, it’s time to start shopping for your perfect construction partner! We always recommend working with a professional company to design and build your tiny home or ADU project to help you navigate the legal complexities of these awesome small living spaces.
Build Your Dream Colorado Tiny Homes & ADUs With Us
If you’re based in Colorado and know you want an ADU or a permanent tiny home, consider choosing our team of local experts at Little Home Builder! We’re a Denver-based, family-owned and women-led business that specializes in tiny home and ADU construction.
Check out our Denver tiny homes and Denver ADU services for our floor plans, customizable styles and gorgeous finishes. With our specialized expertise, we’re fully equipped to help you answer if your neighborhood allows for ADUs and tiny homes, guiding you through every step of the process from permit to construction. Every county has their own unique regulations and requirements for ADU and tiny home builds, and we’re an ideal team for helping you navigate them.
Give us a call at (720) 339-3509 or contact us today!
